Presenting at the Connecticut Java Users Group

I. Introduction

The Connecticut Java User Group is the official JUG for the state of Connecticut. It is a Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Connecticut Object Oriented User Group (COOUG) and has about 300 members. Connecticut is home to the insurance capital of the world and has a large vibrant high tech industry ranging from aerospace to the new booming biotech sector. The JUG seeks to involve and serve Java developers across the state.

Speaking at the Java SIG is an opportunity for you to share your expertise with others, and to gain a little recognition for yourself and your company. If you have an idea for a talk at the JUG please give us a call!

II. Presentation Rules

Product Presentation

A product or service presentation is a talk that focuses on a propietary technology or training/consulting service provided by the presenter's employer. Requirements:

Presentation must be technical
Demo with example code should be covered
Slides must be provided in advance for approval.
Presentation should last at least one hour and fifteen minutes but no longer than two hours.
Fifteen minute Q/A session should follow presentation

Expectations:

Company sponsoring presentation is requested to help out with refreshments for attendees since meetings are held at the end of the day during dinner.
Recommended that door prizes be provided (books/cds)

Educational Presentation

An educational presentation is one that focuses on a specific java technology and for which the presenter has no direct vested financial interest. An exception is made however for presenters that are promoting their books. Requirements:

Presentations must be technical
Slides should be provided in advance
Presentations should be at least 45 minutes long - there maybe other presentations on different technologies at the meeting
Fifteen minute Q/A session should following presentation

Notes, attendees to the meeting will be charged $5 for admission to cover pizza and possibly door prizes. It is imperative that the presentation not contain marketing, members will be grumpy if they have to pay for a pitch.

III. Audience

Java SIG members are professional software developers with many years of experience. Expect all attendees to be familiar with basic java technologies and highly motivated. Practically all Java developers are familiar with the basics of J2EE, the language, and class library. Many members are important decision makers at their respective companies and may use your presentation to evaluate your technologies and services. People are giving up their free time to attend these presentations. Java SIG members work for a wide variety of companies including Aenta, The Hartford, Pfizer, United Technologies Corporation, SNET, Mass Mutual, etc.

IV. Steps to Presenting

If you are interested in presenting, the first thing you must do is contact Ryan Cuprak at and pick a topic.
Select a date for the presentation - at least one month in advance. Select a date from the list below.
Provide a summary of the presentation.
Provide Biographies of each presenter along with a picture.
If it is a sponsored presentation, provide corporate logos and a synopsis of the company.
Specify any equipment needed, projectors etc.

Available Dates:

Check the JUG Calendar

V. Day of Presentation

On the day of the presentation you should show up at least a half an hour prior to the presentation.

VI. Facilities

Meetings are held at CSC's facilities in East Hartford. Typically meetings are held in the state-of-art training classroom which can seat roughly 30 people. There is a built-in overhead projector and a podium with laptop connections (power, VGA out, etc.). Additionally their are four whiteboards in the front of the room. Internet connectivity can be configured if advanced notice is provided. If attendance exceeds 30, then the meeting automatically moves to the cafeteria. The cafeteria does not have internet access nor whiteboards. Capacity of the Cafeteria is around 60.

VII. Traveling & Accommodations

Java SIG meetings are held at CSC's offices in East Hartford. It can be conviently accessed from both I-84, I-91, and Route 2. East Hartford is roughly 2 hours from Boston and 2.5 hours from Manhattan. CSC offices are directly across the river from downtown Hartford and the Connecticut Convention Center. Bradley Internation Airport in Windsor Locks is about 16 miles from CSC offices ($30 cab ride). There is an Amtrak station (HFD) in downtown Hartford (4 miles). Bradley is served by Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Continental, United Airlines, among others.

Hotels providing free shuttle service to and from Bradley International Airport:

VIII. Cancellation Policy

Java SIG meetings will automatically be cancelled if the National Weather Service issues at least a Winter Weather Advistory for metro Hartford for the day of the meeting. Weather related cancelations must be made at least 12 hours in advance.