Unfortunately there are not enough really worthwhile conferences on intranets. One of the few good ones is this October – and the premier conference for Europe.  

 

The Intranet Benchmarking Forum is a confidential, members-only intranet and portal benchmarking and best practice group for leading global organisations. Founded in 2002, our membership has grown to include 50 FTSE 100 or Global organisations. Today, IBF is globally recognised as the leading intranet benchmarking body and is acknowledged as having established industry standards for intranet performance.

 

 

This year’s Intranet Benchmarking Forum (IBF) LIVE conference is October 4 - 5 at the Barbican Centre, London, UK.  And the conference is also open to non-members though members only pay £899.

 

By mid-July there were already 100 delegates booked - and places are being taken up fast. The early booking rate (and block discounts) end on Monday, July 31.

 

The three key speakers IBF is promoting on their billboard (their order):

 

  • Toby Ward (some Canadian), author of IntranetBlog.com
  • Aussie guru James Robertson of Step Two
  • John Smythe, billed as the person responsible for modern internal communications

Here are some details to whet your appetite:

 

  • A focus on organizations running and developing advanced intranet and portals including GlaxoSmithKline, 02, Nationwide, BUPA, HSBC, Corus and Orange
  • IBF LIVE will cover all aspects of mature intranets - including change management, internal communications, effective search, benchmarking, culture, content best practice, business value, internet/intranet and career development
  • Special focus on the latest Web 2.0, social software, collaborative tools and Intranet 2.0 deployment
  • More than five hours of designed networking to maximise the meeting other intranet and portal professionals
  • IBF LIVE 2006 Annual Intranet of the Year Awards live over lunch

 

View the full IBF LIVE 2006 program.

 

Finally, if you’re still not sure you want to attend this, you can get a special advanced preview by joining one of three IBF LIVE Online "Tasters.” There is no charge for attending, but you will…

 

  • Find out the latest news on IBF LIVE
  • Get to meet and hear from 2 - 3 session leaders and speakers
  • Get a "whistle stop" tour of the LIVE program (with a chance to visit the IBF LIVE public site)

The three tasters are:

 

This may well be the conference of the year. To reserve your spot please complete and return the booking form (PDF) or phone +44 (0)20 7435 6606.

 

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ON A PERSONAL NOTE: I’m back in Toronto for the next 10 days… mostly working but then I’m taking the month of August to be with my family (as I’ve yet to take a day off since the birth of my daughter). Good to be back in Toronto, but I miss my girls terribly already.

 

I had a great flight here on Harmony Airways. I hope my friend Gary and his team will give Air Canada and United Airlines a run for their money (and I have a very large Star Alliance miles balance). The Harmony staff was extremely friendly and courteous - top notch. Even in economy class Harmony serves a full meal – and a good one too avec du vin (California Merlot and a Chardonnay I believe)! The service concluded with a hot towel (nice touch). I really enjoyed the in-flight entertainment too which was a the movie Take The Lead (not bad), and a hilarious Everyone Loves Raymond episode followed by Frasier. And get this – entertainment without the ads, or Celine Dion!!!!

 

Finally, as I will not be working during August, I am seeking some guest writers for Intranet Blog! Send me your story, case study or idea and I will pay $50 for the three best submissions!