By Samuel J. Smith | Managing Director | Interactive Meeting Technology

My WEC experience began at home. I checked the #wec11 hashtag on Twitter to see what my  digital friends were saying. Midori was in GMIC meetings, Mike McAllen was tweet-reporting from everywhere. Ruud flew over with Samme Allen from Europe. It looked like the fun was already beginning.

Then I downloaded the QuickMobile WEC app for my iPad. This is an impressive tool. One that I still have to explore. Within a minute, I learned that there is a reception tonight. I thought it was on Sunday. Thank you iPad app!

In addition, I saw plenty of people talking on LinkedIn and Google news groups about the heat and what to wear (or not to wear). It's supposed to be hit and humid, so dress comfortably I say. Somewhere in my inbox is an email from MPI with instructions as well. I will get to that
sometime.

When I arrived at the airport in Minneapolis, I saw lots of WEC revelers queuing for Orlando. How exciting! When I boarded, I was surrounded by kindred spirits excited for WEC. Lots of smiles and “you look familiars.” I scanned the #wec11 hashtag. Then quickly tweeted happy birthday wishes to @miguelseven and turned off my phone before the stewardess scolded me.

Then, the people around me started an engaging conversation about family, jobs and the changes at WEC this year. After a lengthy talk about babies and parenting (several of us have newborns), the conversation shifted to WEC. There was a lot of talk about the new hosted buyer program and marketplace. Some good, some bad. Mostly, people were taking a wait and see approach. I guess that's what happens when you try something new. Some like it. Some don't. And others don't have a clue what is going on.

So, here I am at 36,000 feet, eagerly anticipating all of the new innovations MPI has planned, excited about seeing my old industry friends and looking forward to making new friends. 

WEC starts soon, yet the experience started for me at home. I better go check my email to see where I am staying.