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Hey Everyone!

So, I am starting a new thread about the FREAKIN AWESOME stuff we have for SpiceWorld Newbies (and SpiceWorld Veterans too)!

Now, when I say ‘newbie’ I don’t mean just folks coming to their first SpiceWorld. I mean folks that have come to SpiceWorld and perhaps didn’t meet as many folks as they wanted to, or folks that just want to meet more people. I have seen many threads about Spiceheads attending SpiceWorld and saying they (and I quote) “didn’t feel like they got the full SpiceWorld Experience”. This is all for you as well. Anyone that wants to have a blast is welcome!

All this started after last year’s SpiceWorld, when a bunch of folks thought that there was kind of a disconnect between people that have been to multiple SpiceWorlds and those folks that were at their first. This Thread started things off, then this thread continued the conversation about it. There was a lot of emails pestering/bothering Spiceworks folks about these ideas and I have to say, they have really exceeded my expectations on setting up some events and such for folks attending their first SpiceWorld!

Enough of my rambling. Here is what we came up with to make this the BEST SpiceWorld EVER for newbies and veterans.

  • SpiceBuddy Program! - I believe Spiceworks had a form of this in London, but we are taking it up a notch in Austin. This program will designate veterans of SpiceWorld as SpiceBuddies. They will get a very nifty flashing pin so anyone that is new to SpiceWorld can corral (that is Texas-Speak) the SpiceBuddy. Asking them questions like what is going on that night, what sessions they think might be awesome or just shoot the proverbial cow-patty (again, Texas-Speak). Veterans: If you are interested in being a SpiceBuddy, more info to come in the next week! We have a limited number of SpiceBuddy swag (nifty flashing pins), so keep an eye out in your Inbox or this thread .

  • SpiceBuddy Station! - There is going to be a dedicated SpiceBuddy station next to the Tech Talk Theater (a new space this year). We will be organizing daily meet-ups for newbies, not-so-newbie and veterans alike to meet there to scheme and plot to take over the world. A great place to meet some new people and make some new friends! Veterans: I will be setting up a schedule for events at the station, if you volunteered in this thread , keep an eye out in that thread for more info. If you want to help out, just post there and I will add you to the list!

  • SpiceWorld Newbie SessionS!!! - During the conversations, about last SpiceWorld, Xopher brought an idea to the table: “What better way to kick off a SpiceWorld than a session focused on SpiceWorld Newbies!” Well, we now have not one, but two! Tuesday, Nov. 1st 5-6pm and 6:30-7:30pm (during the Welcome Shindig) at the Tech Talk Theater in the Exhibit Hall. This will cover EVERYTHING you need to know about your first (or second or third) SpiceWorld from SpiceWorld Veterans themselves. Plus there will be a ton of veterans there to answer questions and just engage in tomfoolery. This should be the first stop for any SpiceWorld Newbie! I am PSYCHED for this session! Veterans: If you are interested in doing a 5-10 minute talk about SpiceWorld during this session, PM me directly.

Now you all know why this SpiceWorld is going to be the BEST EVER for newbies, not-so-newbies and veterans!

I have had some really amazing experiences at my 8 Austin SpiceWorlds, I mean stuff that I will just never forget. With what we have planned this year, I know that there will be new memories made and even more folks experiencing them than ever before.

I will update this thread as we fill in the schedule at the SpiceBuddy Station with meet-ups and we may even have another event or two planned.

Lastly (finally, I know), I am really looking forward to seeing old friends, not-so-old friends and meeting every single newbie, as I know many other veterans are as well. We have just a month before SpiceWorld kicks off, and I can’t wait! See you all there!

Update: Added SECOND Newbie Session at Welcome Shindig!

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So bummed i will not be there this year.

This will hit it outta the park for the newbies coming to Spiceworld or for those looking for more then they got other years.

Keep up the good work Darren!

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Sounds awesome and like a pretty great idea that has come to be!

This will be my second SpiceWorld and cannot wait to see all the new and fun stuff going on!

Will have to send the two guys that are going with me this year to the newbie session on Tuesday so they can know what to do!

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You.Are.Awesome! Thanks for taking this steer by the horns and making it all happen. It’s clear y’all put a lot of energy into this and now I’m even more excited to Texas size my SpiceWorld experience!

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Awesome Spankmeister! You really put some work into making this happen, above and beyond!

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Totally bummed you won’t be out this year Josh!..:frowning:

We will miss you my friend!

See you next year though for sure!!!

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Excellent!

And don’t be a stranger when you are there, I don’t think we met last year and I would love to meet you this year! We will be hanging out after the session at the SpiceBuddy Station for some refreshing beverages so stop by!

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LOL! Thanks Xopher. But it was YOUR idea to have the session my friend! I just had a couple of cycles and some key email addresses and am very good at pestering/bothering folks so they work something out so I will go away!

I am looking forward to meeting you this year! Would love to have you hang out at the SpiceBuddy Booth to meet some other folks!

Ninja edit to make sure to give credit to you for coming up with the Newbie Session idea…:slight_smile:

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Being a newbie last year, it will be interesting to see the changes this year, thanks for all your hard work @darren I will make an effort to stop my the booth at least a few times during the conference. As I am a very laid back kind of person, and not into the party scene, I think I will pass on the spicebuddy part, I would hate to be the fun killer for someone else.

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Hey Austin!

Dude! What is going to make this great is folks like yourself that welcome some newbies by being a SpiceBuddy!..:slight_smile:

Really looking forward to seeing you again this year my friend!

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Hey Todd!

Just as SpiceWorld has folks from every corner of the IT world, not everyone that attends the Conference is going to be out till 5am in some parking garage drinking homebrew…:slight_smile:

Some of my most memorable memories of SpiceWorld hasn’t been the big parties, it has been sitting having dinner or lunch or a drink with one or two people and talking. That is what creates friendships that last year to year. You will not be a fun-killer my friend and I think that you will find some like-minded folks to hang out with around the SpiceBuddy Booth too…:slight_smile:

Looking forward to seeing you this year!

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Great idea, from what I have read in these forums it is easy to miss interesting things at the shine dig. Whether they be afterhours or session information. Kudos to you and the rest of the veterans for picking in for the newbies!

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I thought this was going to be the best Spiceworld because @huw3481 and @gabrielle were getting married…

hot damn… you’re right all those events sounds ridiculously awesome. I’m sure I’ll participate in a few of them.

Thanks for putting in the work to make this year better than last.

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I believe that we might also be SpiceBuddies. I was one at London this year.

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Do the first year newbs just need to keep an eye on this thread for details? I’m staying at the Radisson and it looks like several vets are as well. I’m coming in on Monday so it might serve well to have a buddy before Tuesday night lol.

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I arrived last year a completely unaware. Not having a clue what i was getting myself into and loving every second of it. This is a great thing for the newbies and the not-so-newbies. i missed out on a lot last year and i would hear people talk about this or that i was very confused how i missed some cool stuff. Thanks for taking it an extra step! I will definitely check in this year and I will NOT MISS a thing this time!!!

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Dude you know i’m Up for it all.

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Awesome

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@ivan and I were also SpiceBuddies at London this year. It was a really successful program and helped a lot of people who are new to the community. Looking forward to helping again in Austin!

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Met a few newbies at London whilst wearing the flashing SpiceBudies badge. Also helped that I also wore a Spiceworks Wizard hat too (might bring it to Austin).

So, count me in as a Spicebuddy volunteer.

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