Where would I find Mac IT people at MacWorld?

[Esther Schindler]

My justification for going to the conference is that Macs are becoming more important to enterprise computing. Certainly, we're doing lots more Mac coverage at CIO. (By "enterprise," I mean businesses big enough to have a formal IT department and probably a CIO... not just "Our Lady of The Screwdriver.")

There's a whole set of MacIT conference sessions which I intend to attend (and to blog about at CIO.com). But the value from any conference is in schmoozing with practitioners. Not that I mind hanging with solo Mac users or small business folks, but I'd better write about relevant topics or I won't be able to return next time.

So where would I find the "serious business" users?

[Snook]

You best bet is the powertools conferences on M-T

I will be in one of the 2 server classes and they are generally attended by higher level systems people.

I would also stake out the 3 Directory Integration classes in Mac IT track, if you are in that class you are part of a larger infrastructure and hence more enterprise level.

I can personally introduce you to 5 senior, enterprise level Mac admins from Penn State, UNC Charlotte, Accuweather Inc, The Charlotte Observer (McClatchy Newspapers) and Appalachian State University. We'd love to talk your ear off about macs in the enterprise.

[Esther Schindler]

Snook,

Yes, please introduce me! I desperately want to have my ear talked off on this subject!

[Snook]

email me snookkd @ appstate.edu and we'll schedule something

I am at the show right now

[Dori Smith]

The place I would start is on Monday night (you'll be there then, yes?) at the Night Before Keynote Mac-Mgrs Party. If that's not enough, they should be able to give you plenty of leads.

Location: Beale Street Bar & Grill (upstairs), 133 Beale St.
Time: 7:30 pm

[Esther Schindler]

Wah! I'll be in town by then -- but I'm already booked. That's when I'm getting together for dinner with a bunch of computer journalist friends.

How late y'all going to be there? Maybe I'll stop by... and bring a friend from InformationWeek.

[Dori Smith]

Sorry if I misled you--I won't be at that. I just read about it on the Party List page and thought it might be a good fit. OTOH, that page also says it goes until 2 am, so it might be worth dropping by.

[Nigel Kersten]

I'm sure there will be a bunch of us at this one.....

There isn't a MacEnterprise BOF, but perhaps we should organize something informal on the list...

[Esther Schindler]

They won't let me into the two-day sessions, not as press. Understandably, they want to use that space for paying attendees; I can't blame 'em.

But if you tell me where you're going for lunch...