IDUG 2009 - Europe
Conference: 5 - 8 October 2009
One-Day Seminars: 9 October 2009
Rome Park Marriott Hotel
Rome, Italy

What is this conference?
IDUG, the International DB2 Users Group, produces several DB2 technology conferences each year. The primary conferences are held in Europe, North America, the Australasia area and India. These events are run by a volunteer-based organization (IDUG) and supported by a professional management company.

The European conference is the premier venue for DB2 knowledge acquisition. The only comparable event for DB2 training is the IBM-sponsored, On Demand Live Conference.  Many of the same speakers grace both events, but the IDUG conference features more “user experience” presentations.

Why this conference?
It is difficult for technology managers and senior data management technicians to find meaningful training that can provide both breadth and depth in targeted technologies. The IDUG conference(s) have proven, for many DB2 professionals, to deliver the best value as a training alternative to pure depth training (e.g. a 4-day class on Database Performance Tuning). The quality and quantity of educational value of the IDUG conferences has been consistent and cost beneficial, over the years.

The program consists of seven technical tracks, each of which focus on a particular facet of DB2 usage.  The tracks run concurrently and in the 2008 program there will be over 100 technical sessions. The presentations are conducted by a mix of DB2 users, IBM developers, vendors and consultants.  There are also keynote sessions that give broad coverage of where DB2 is going in the future.

In addition to the conference content, there are ongoing opportunities to discuss technology with DB2 developers, customers, and vendors across a broad continuum of database, tool, and related product issues. For example, in a single venue, you can see demos of competing vendor products and talk one-on-one with experienced vendor implementation experts. In Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions, attendees can swap implementation tips and techniques and listen to others describe the proper and improper ways to use DB2 in ways they might be considering.  As one past conference attendee described to a colleague, the value of the networking opportunities alone exceeds the price of admission.

IBM provides complimentary DB2 certification testing throughout the conference, so attendees can go test their knowledge of DB2.  This is a very valuable service, as the tests cost approximately $125 per test if done at a testing center.