My header photo is from @Roger1Rios, who became Citrix Synergy official at Registration and is showing off his conference swag! I’ll be featuring my favorite images here each day of the conference. Watch for them!
https://twitter.com/Roger1Rios/status/866639002534916096
That sound you hear? It’s the steady hum of activity and anticipation as we get ready to officially kick off Citrix Synergy 2017 here in Orlando.
We’ve been on-site since last week, putting the final touches on the conference, and we’re looking forward to hearing about the future of work and what Citrix is doing to help our customers with their own digital transformation.
I hope you were able to join us and are reading this from Orlando; I’ll be blogging the most exciting announcements and happenings from the conference each day, with tips on what not to miss tomorrow. I’ll also be turning the spotlight on you, including some of my favorite tweets, so make sure you’re participating; follow #citrixsynergy on Twitter and share your impressions. Every time you post using #CitrixSynergy this week (Mon-Thurs) Citrix will donate $1 to Heart of Florida (@hfuw), up to $30,000!
If you were unable to make the trip, you can still join us virtually for some of the highlights: we’ll be live-streaming the Vision Keynote and Technology Keynote tomorrow on Citrix Synergy TV as well as a number of the top breakout sessions. Check out the schedule, and join us for great insights and inspiring new technology. Citrix Synergy TV also will offer on-demand viewing immediately after Synergy, with videos available May 26. Synergy attendees will also be able to download presentations from your My Synergy Account beginning June 9.
Here’s a preview of what to expect tomorrow. But first, a few tips:
- Download the Synergy Mobile app and play GameOn! You’re automatically entered into the game when you log in to the mobile app for the first time, and you’ll unlock badges and earn points as you attend sessions and complete activities. Keep an eye on the leaderboard for your progress!
- Build your agenda with a mix of interactive sessions, breakouts and special events to your agenda. Some of them—including Meet the Experts and Hot Topics—allow standby seating for unfilled seats, so you may get a spot even if your preferred session is showing full.
- Don’t miss the keynotes and Innovation Super Session series. You’ll see some incredible demos, meet the Citrix Innovation Award finalists and vote for the winner, and get some exciting insight into the future of work and what it can do for your business. Plus, hear from our special guest speakers Malcolm Gladwell and Gen. Colin L. Powell.
Monday highlights
More than 1,000 customers and partners attended the Instructor-led Learning Labs preconference workshop, which just finished this afternoon. The workshop (and the Networking Reception last night) is one of the most popular features of Synergy every year. It sells out quickly, so if you were unable to access the labs of your choice, preregister early next year: the package includes up to three labs for $99. Remember also that most labs are also available in Self-paced Learning Labs, open every afternoon in the Synergy Park learning zone, with no reservations required. Two labs you may want to add to your agenda: LAB601: Increase your NetScaler IQ to better manage your NetScaler ADCs and LAB609: Deploying Workspace Environment Management for XenApp and XenDesktop. Both were filled to capacity over the weekend.
Looking ahead: Vision Keynote, Technology Keynote and more
Tomorrow, Citrix president and CEO Kirill Tatarinov will share the Citrix vision for the future of work. New technologies are shaping infinite new possibilities for how we work and use technology in our daily lives, and Kirill will show what Citrix is doing to help our customers during this time of digital transformation. You’ll also meet some of our partners and customers from Fujitsu, ADP and Partners HealthCare. Then, PJ Hough, senior vice president of product, will be showing us demos of some very cool new technology as Citrix innovation takes center stage in the Technology Keynote. You’ll also hear the latest on the Citrix/Microsoft partnership from PJ and Brad Anderson, corporate vice president of Enterprise Mobility at Microsoft.
The Solutions Expo also opens tomorrow giving you the opportunity to see innovative solutions from our sponsors and other leading IT companies and discover the Citrix Booth Experience, which features immersive environments, Product Pods and an Experts Bar to help you engage with Citrix in a whole new way. Also at the booth: show your flair! Get your Citrix Mini-me and collect pieces and accessories from around the Solutions Expo.
Up next: Navigators Reception
I’m headed over to the Navigators Reception now. Whether you’re new or not so new to Synergy, you can get pointers from Synergy experts on finding the sessions and events that best fit your conference goals, meet our global user groups (and join one!) and learn how to personalize your agenda and play the Synergy game. Come on over to West Concourse, Level II, Tangerine Ballroom, F2 at 6:30 p.m. for beverages and hors d’oeuvres and discover how to make the most of your time here.
Welcome to Orlando, and have a great Synergy! I’ll update my feed with news as it happens; follow me on Twitter @merisummers.
