Connect is the premier user community of HP professionals.

It is staffed by a group of dedicated people relentlessly advocating on behalf of HP professionals worldwide.

At HP Discover 2012, Connect will be out in force, and I encourage you, as an HP IT professional, to stop by their booth, and join them.

In order to help prospects fully understand the benefits of being a Connect member, I asked Nina Buik, Connect’s Chief Marketing Officer and all-round Great Person, a few questions about her organization

John Obeto: What is Connect?

Nina Buik: Connect is the largest technology community of HP business technology customers around the world. Connect’s mission is to provide its members with the best value and return on their HP business technology investments by providing ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY and EDUCATION. With over 55,000 members, 40 chapters and 15 special interest groups, Connect delivers on the number one requested member benefit online and in person every day: opportunities to network with like-minded peers.

John Obeto: Is HP engaged with Connect?

Nina Buik: The short answer is yes.  Through the years and changes in leadership, Connect has had to reestablish its value to HP; however, it is clear today to Connect, that HP understands and values its independent user community.  There are so many HP ‘volunteers’ that support Connect even though it’s not part of their job description.  It’s easy to drink our Kool-Aid.

John Obeto: What are the benefits of joining Connect?

Nina Buik: There are many benefits to joining Connect.  Aside from the opportunity to find and ‘connect’ with a global peer network, members of Connect enjoy:

• FREE Subscription to Connect’s technical journals, Connect Converge and The Connection
• Monthly eNewsletters on the latest and most relevant technology and community news
• Discount to HP’s annual event, HP DISCOVER equal to 6 times the cost of an individual membership (paid membership required)
• Partner Discounts on Products and Services
• Discount on HP Education Services , Next Step Learning and CompetenC Solutions
• Access to monthly technology webcasts as well as archived webcasts.
• Ability to influence HP though Connect's Advocacy Interchange
• Access to 19 special interest groups and 38 global chapters
• Discounts to Connect’s technical symposia (paid membership required)

John Obeto: Can prospects join at Discover?

Nina Buik: If HP Discover attendees missed the opportunity to become a member during their registration process, they can always come by the Community Lounge in the HP Discover Zone (next to the blogger’s lounge) and sign up.  We have many opportunities for Connect members to network throughout the week including the Community Lounge (attendees can bring the ticket to win in their conference bags for an opportunity to win great prizes – they can also spin to win the community prize wheel where each spin wins!), Special Interest Group Meetings (see below) and The Going for the Gold member appreciation party and tweetup hosted by Connect (& Vivit) on Wednesday evening.  This year, a record number of Connect members registered for HP Discover. 

Disclosure: I was officially involved with Connect for about three years, proudly serving in several capacities. That relationship ended recently.

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