I thought that I was going to be attending Dreamforce 2006 this year. Since I manage the ERP and CRM portfolios on Microsoft's emerging business team, many of the start-ups are Salesforce partners (as well as Microsoft partners). I applied to the conference back in July and wrote a detailed description stating that I worked for Microsoft, and that I was supporting my start-up companies. I received the following approval to attend:
PLEASE PRINT THIS DOCUMENT FOR YOUR RECORDS
7/28/2006
Dear Dave,
Thank you for registering for Dreamforce '06, salesforce.com's 4th annual user and developer conference, taking place October 8-11, 2006, in San Francisco, CA.
Your payment has been processed successfully. Please Note: Your credit card statement will reflect a charge from Woodberry Events, Inc. in the amount of $1399.00.
So, then, I get this:
10/05/2006
We are communicating in regards to your registration for Dreamforce, October 8-11, 2006 in San Francisco. Because this event is strictly for salesforce.com customers, developers, partners and prospects, we are unable to confirm your final registration or allow admittance to the event.
You will be receiving a refund for your registration payment that was submitted.
Best regards,
Dreamforce 2006 Registration Headquarters
(U.S. & Canada) 1-866-345-9684
(International) 415-277-3295
Email: registration@dreamforce2006.com
Now, I have been on the road for the last two months and I would welcome the chance to work in my home office and get caught up on all of my activities, especially some blogging. This is the first time that I have been accepted and then kicked out of a conference. I don't work for the Microsoft CRM team, although I do work with companies that may want to partner with our CRM team (most of whom reach out to us). I see confidential information every day and I keep it confidential. I work with my start-up companies to get them plugged into the right development resources, perform architecture reviews, provide business planning guidance and review how the overall industry is developing. Maybe Dreamforce 2006 is just too sensitive to let a mid level Microsoftee like myself check it out.
I may just show up anyway and see what they do with me.
