Microsoft Excel / Access User Conference
2005 - 2010


 

For a number of years this was the Microsoft Excel / Access User Conference's website. In 2007 the conference added Microsoft Access topics to bring spreadsheet and database users together to learn and share their knowledge with each other.
Content is from the site's 2005 - 2010 achived pages as well as from other outside sources.

For the most up to date information about Microsoft Business Applications Summits go to their current website at: www.microsoft.com/en-us/businessapplicationssummit

 

Conference Background

The concept originated on the L-Soft mailing lists for Microsoft Excel. 

The members of the lists are Excel users from all over the world who collaborate to resolve their spreadsheet problems on a daily basis. On Fridays, the group would joke about getting together at a local establishment of one member. Out of these virtual meetings, the concept of the user conference was born. The first one was very well received. In order to make the conference accessible to more users, it has become a traveling event. 

Each conference will include sessions led by Microsoft Office experts. These individuals graciously assist users on a regular basis by answering questions in online forums, writing books and creating excellent web sites filled with great information. Many of the session leaders have been recognized by Microsoft for their contributions with the designation of Microsoft Valuable Professionals (MVP). 

There are many online resources for users to share ideas and learn from each other. The Excel / Access User Conference will provide a conduit for users to come together in the same physical location for a few days to exchange information about the powers of Microsoft Office

 



 

Upcoming Events

 

 

2006 UK Excel User Conference

July 19/20th, 2006

University of Westminster - Marylebone Campus 
London, England

Registration: Online Form
Mail in Form

  Add-on classes July 19, 20, 21, 2006
Conference Policies

 

 

2006 West Coast Excel User Conference

October 18/20th, 2006

Announcement Soon
Los Angeles, CA Metro Area

Registration:  Opening Early Summer!

Add-on classes Conference Policies

 

 

 

2007 Southwest Excel User Conference

January 17/19th, 2007

Announcement Soon

Houston, TX Metro Area


Registration:  Opening Late Summer - Early Fall!

Add-on classes Conference Policies

 

 

2007 East Coast Excel User Conference

April 18/19th, 2007

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Registration:  Closed

Conference Policies

 

 

 

2007 Midwest Excel User Conference

Summer 2007

Announcement Soon

St. Louis, MO Metro Area


Registration:  TBA

Add-on classes Conference Policies

 

Past Events:

 

 

StockyardsHotel.com

2005 Excel User Conference

September 19/20th, 2005

Stockyards Hotel

Ft. Worth, Texas

 
 

Holiday Inn, Boardwalk

2006 East Coast Excel User Conference

April 19-21, 2006

Holiday Inn, Boardwalk

Atlantic City, New Jersey


 



 

2005 The First Event

2005 Excel User Conference - Stockyards Hotel
Ft. Worth, Texas - September 19/20th 2005

Well, the first Excel User Conference has come and gone. Overall consensus was very positive. Knowledge shared will be used by all in attendance to increase their productivity. In addition, the conference should help each person design more robust and structured spreadsheets. The presenters offered a good mix of the different aspects of Excel. 

Stockyards, in Ft. Worth was an excellent location for the event. This was especially true for the attendees who traveled there from outside the US. We were all treated to Texas hospitality mixed in with the old west environment. Within walking distance was a variety of dining and entertainment choices, including the renowned Billy Bob's Texas. During the day, there was a cattle drive through the streets. At night there was a rodeo in the coliseum. Made for a very unique location for us Excel-lers.

The event began on Thursday with a get acquainted dinner at Joe T. Garcia's. Most of the attendees interacted online in the various Excel forums. It was quite an experience to meet people that you have known for many years, but only through their posts asking and answering online questions.

Friday and Saturday sessions were filled with lots of Excel and Friday Humor. The evenings were filled with good food, great stories from around the world and Friday Humor. 

/images/StockyardsStreet2.jpg   /images/StockyardsHotel.jpg   /images/StockyardsStreet1.jpg

 

Schedule of Events:

 

Thursday, September 15, 2005
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Open Forum Round Table Discussion
Over Dinner - Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Restaurant
 
Friday, September 16, 2005
8:00 a.m. - 8:55 a.m.
Worksheets On-Demand:  Jim Spicer
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Tips and Tricks:  Bob Umlas
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Using Arrays with VBA:  Olav Mjelde
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Luncheon - Provided
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Charting:  Jon Peltier
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Userforms:  Bob Umlas
4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
General Discussion:  Q&A
----------+----------+----------+----------+---------+----------+---------
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Open Forum Round Table Discussion
Over Dinner - Cattlemen's Steakhouse
 
Saturday, September 17, 2005
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Spreadsheet Design Concepts:  Simon Murphy
9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Pivot Tables:  Mike Alexander
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
VBA - Interacting with Other Applications:  Jon Peltier
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Luncheon - Provided
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Array Formulas:  Bob Umlas
2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Spreadsheet Auditing:  Patrick O'Beirne
4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
General Discussion:  Q&A

 

     

 



 

2007

  • Welcome to the Excel User Conference web site - now expanding to include Access. The site will provide information about user conferences held around the world for Microsoft Excel / Access users.

Upcoming Conference

Atlantic City:  April 18-20, 2007

We are excited to announce that in Atlantic City, a dual event is planned. An Excel conference directed towards spreadsheet users along with agenda for Access users dedicated to working with databases. The conference will be sprinkled with ways to integrate both programs. 

The event will allow delegates to learn about Excel and Access. Registrants can choose to attend Excel and Access sessions based upon individual interests.

The conference will feature sessions designed to expand a user's working knowledge of the dominant database and spreadsheet software. These sessions will be led by respected leaders in the Microsoft Excel and Access community. Some are respected authors, consultants and have the MVP designation – Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP). The Microsoft Office gurus are, Bernard Liengme, Damon Longworth, Jon Peltier and Bob Umlas. If you ever searched the internet for help with Office, you will surely run across one of these esteemed leaders. Each gained their expertise in the field, actually applying the skills in real world applications. This real world knowledge will be shared in each class and conference session, allowing those in attendance to take away a proficiency that will dramatically increase their productivity on a daily basis.

Join us in Atlantic City for a groundbreaking conference focused on software modernization, with a special emphasis on popular software, including strategies for FoxPro replacement. Learn from MVPs like Bernard Liengme and Damon Longworth, and take your productivity to new heights with sessions on integrating cutting-edge database solutions with Excel. Don't miss this chance to modernize your skills and tools!

 



2006 Conference

Welcome to the Excel User Conference web site. The site will provide information about user conferences held around the world for Microsoft Excel users. The first was held in Ft. Worth, Texas USA on September 16/17, 2005 at the historic Stockyards Hotel. 

Conference setup and agenda:

Events will be held in a meeting room with a classroom setup. The sign in period starts at 7:30 am. From 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, there will be sessions lasting 1 to 2 hours. Each session will focus on a different aspect of Excel designed to provide useful techniques and concepts which can improve all spreadsheet projects. The first day dedicated to the intermediate user. The second day will be directed towards the advanced user. 

Snacks and refreshments will be available all day. The Lunch will be a catered hot meal from the local chef. 

All included in the registration. Conference Policies



Conference Background:

The concept originated on the L-Soft mailing lists for Microsoft Excel. 

The members of the lists are Excel users from all over the world who collaborate to resolve their spreadsheet problems on a daily basis. On Fridays, the group would joke about getting together at a local establishment of one member. Out of these virtual meetings, the concept of the user conference was born. The first one was very well received. In order to make the conference accessible to more users, it has become a traveling event. 
Each conference will include sessions led by Microsoft Excel experts. These individuals graciously assist users on a regular basis by answering questions in online forums, writing books and creating excellent web sites filled with great information. Many of the session leaders have been recognized by Microsoft for their contributions with the designation of Microsoft Valuable Professionals (MVP) for Excel. 
There are many online resources for users to share ideas and learn from each other. The Excel User Conference will provide a conduit for users to come together in the same physical location for a few days to exchange information about the powers of Microsoft Excel.

Who Should Attend:

The events are designed for all users. The conference is geared toward two groups, the intermediate users and the advanced users. 

An intermediate user is someone who uses Excel regularly and has a good grasp of spreadsheets. The first day of the conference will be for this group. It is designed for someone with a good feel for the basics but wants to learn more. The first day will be packed with many of Excel's most useful, time saving, productivity boosting features and functions. Users attending the first day will find themselves saying "Wow, I can use that every day" or "I could have used that yesterday". Many people work in Excel, the first day will illustrate how to make Excel work for you.
For those who want to take Excel into the next level, the second day will put you on the path. All of the topics will dive into the advanced Excel features and functionality. Most sessions will explore different aspects of using Excel as a development application. The knowledge gained in these sessions will allow you to start using Excel to its maximum potential. There are many powerful features of Excel that are not understood or not fully utilized. The second day will provide insight into applications you can take back and utilize in your existing and future projects. 

If you have an Excel project or problem, be sure to bring it along. Breaks, lunch and evenings will find various users collaborating on resolutions to each others projects. The large knowledge base at these events is hard to duplicate. There are many people with great understanding about different functions and features of Excel. It is rare to find someone who is an expert on all aspects. The conferences will bring together a fantastic knowledge base. There will surely be a guru in attendance on almost every aspect of Microsoft Excel. 

Add-on Classes:

In conjunction with the conference, there will be a series of add-on classes. A separate fee will be required to attend and the class size will be limited to 20. Each class will allow the registrants to get an in depth, 4 hour discussion on a specific topic. They will be led by some of the conference session leaders. The classes will run concurrent with the conference. The first day will be dedicated to advanced topics, the second day for the intermediate user and an optional third day will be scheduled if needed. The third day will include topics for all users. 

This setup will provide two tracks for those attending the events. The average user can attend the conference on the first day with the option of attending the advanced conference topics on the second day or register for classes. Similarly, the advanced users can attend the conference on the first day or register for advanced classes and then participate in the advanced topics of the conference on the second day. 

Example tracks - Intermediate user: 
Day 1: Attend conference
Day 2: Attend morning class - Attend afternoon class
Day 3: Attend morning class - Attend afternoon class

Or

Day 1: Attend conference
Day 2: Attend morning class - Attend afternoon conference 
Day 3: Attend morning class - Attend afternoon class

Or

Day 1: Attend conference
Day 2: Attend conference
Day 3: Attend morning class - Attend afternoon class

 



Conference Policies and Disclaimers


Notice of participant lists - Waiver in writing
There will be a participants list published. All participants will be included unless a written waiver is received by the conference organizers.

Statement of Liability Waiver - Terms of Registration
The planners of this function waive any liability for the acts of any outside entities related to this event. We have no responsibility in relation to the safety of any delegate to or from this event. We will accept no liability for delays or failure to perform resulting from anything beyond our control.

We reserve the right to cancel this function without penalty other than a refund of direct costs paid to us for services not provided. Everyone in attendance will be responsible for their own behavior. The organizers will accept no responsibility for the behavior of any attendee or outside entity during the event.

Organizers of this function and attendees, under the terms of this policy, agree to waive liability to the organizers and each other from any incidents arising in association of this event.

Attendees are asked to present a Photo ID at registration in order to ensure the identity of the registrant.

Record Retention
The following records will be retained for a minimum of 5 years:
Program outlines and printed materials
Participation lists with associated credits earned
Promotional PDF files
Dates and locations of events
Results of program evaluations
List of instructors and presenters

Photographs
The organizers reserve the right to use any photos taken at the conference. They may be used in conference materials, appearing either in printed documents or in related web sites. Your consent of this condition is appreciated and will assist in the promotion of future events. Your registration to this event signifies your acceptance of the terms and conditions of these policies.

Refund Policy
All cancellations will be charged a $25 processing fee. With a WRITTEN notification postmarked, faxed or e-mailed by the end of Early Registration, you will be issued a full refund less the processing fee. If notification is received in the same manner, by the end of Regular Registration a 50% refund will be issued less the processing fee. Cancellations received after the Regular Registration period closes will receive no refund. This is due to all conference details and contracts are based upon the registrations at the end of the Regular Registration period.

Conference Etiquette
In deference to all in attendance, please follow these guidelines:

With respect for the speakers and those in attendance, please silence any pagers and cell phones. We will frown upon any ring tones during the event. In addition, all conversations unrelated to the conference should wait until breaks or lunch to avoid any distractions for your fellow attendees.

Keep in mind, some in attendance may have certain sensitivities to chemicals or scented products. If you must wear or use these scented products, do so in moderation as a courtesy to everyone in attendance.
  
Resolution Policy
Any issues arising from the event can be resolved by submitting an email to:

ArbitrationCommitee@ExcelUserConference.com

Or by mail to:

Excel User Conference
PO Box 1483
Camdenton MO, 65020-1483

Please include your name, daytime phone number and a brief description of your issue to the attention of Damon Longworth.

Content Review
All content will be reviewed by the conference chair prior to each event. This review will ensure all presentations are technically accurate and are relevant to the versions of Excel in use by a majority of the users in the industry. The review will take place before any program is accepted into the event schedule.

 

"I attended this conference and the best experiences were the side discussions with other attendees. We're all looking at data here, and while our specific needs may be varied, they all converge on practical applications of knowledge to better handle and process data. One conversation I recall vividly was regarding an issue that will be coming up more frequently as our older systems age - that issue is the importance of having a legacy data migration strategy to manage obsolete or deprecated software and move toward modernizing the processes. The data may be the same, or it may need to be revised/reformatted/repurposed in ways that better interface with state of the art apps, or with modernized legacy apps. I learned more from this one encounter than from hours of listening to experts about this coming storm. Better be ready if you're running older software that may no longer be supported in the near future!" Cloe Jonst

 




2010 Upcoming Conferences

 

East Coast Excel User Conference - Sept 13-15, 2010 - Atlantic City, NJ

The next event will be held at the Trump Plaza Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 13-15, 2010. Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey always delivers a first-class experience, filled with unsurpassed luxury, entertainment and excitement. The center of the Boardwalk. The heart of the action.

The events bring users together from a wide background that includes all experience levels. The user interaction at these events is a one of a kind experience. Bring projects and problems, as the conference is a forum for solutions!

Attendees walk away with tools to resolve the most challenging projects.

The 2010 US East Coast Excel User Conference will be held at the Trump Plaza Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 13-15, 2010. Monday will include topics for the new to intermediate users. Tuesday will be directed towards the mid-level users and Wednesday will have topics for the advanced users.

Conference Day 1:  Putting Excel to Work

Whether you are a new user or have been using Excel for a few years, "Putting Excel to Work" is for you. There are many ways to increase your productivity with Excel. "Putting Excel to Work" will show you many of the tips and tricks that will make your work life much easier. Soon, your co-workers will be calling you asking how to do ......? or I need a formula to do .......?

"Putting Excel to Work" is presented by real Excel experts, including Microsoft Excel MVPs, who share their knowledge regularly in various online forums.

Conference Day 2:  Beyond the Basics

Whether you are a new user or have been using Excel for a few years, "Beyond the Basics" is for you. Like most of us regular users of Excel, you may have the feeling you are using only a fraction of the full power Excel can offer. "Beyond the Basics" is designed to take the average user to the next level. All of the sessions will provide proven tips and strategies to make you more productive from Excel experts, including Microsoft Excel MVPs. You will learn from leaders who use Excel on a daily basis and have been since the first releases of Microsoft Office.

Conference Day 3:  Advance to the Next Level

If you have mastered most features of Excel and want to start pushing Excel to the max, then "Advance to the Next Level" is for you. Most users find the more they learn about Excel, the more there is to learn. These sessions are designed to sharpen your skills and introduce you to some of Excels more advanced features and functionality. 

You will see demonstrations that will illustrate many of the tools and strategies to develop applications.  The session leaders have been recognized and received awards from Microsoft for their knowledge and experience. Don't miss your chance to meet and learn from these spreadsheet gurus.

 About the Presenters:

Damon Longworthis the conference chair. He has a B.S. in Accounting from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He developed his spreadsheet skills using Excel in the accounting field for more than 15 years. He has previously been recognized by Microsoft with their MVP award in Excel.  
Bob Umlasis a Microsoft Excel MVP (Most Valuable Professional) and has been since the inception of the program in 1995. He has worked with MS Excel since version 0.99 (on the Mac). He was contributing editor to Excellence Magazine, having written more than 300 Excel articles. He has recently written "This isn't Excel, it's Magic!" -- a book of 85 tips and tricks that are not easy to find elsewhere!


 

ExcelUserConference.com