I attended my 1st Code Camp– 2006 South Florida Code Camp, Feb 2, 2006. Not only did I learn a lot, I had a great time. I learned which of the presentations I should goto...( I have seen David Silverlight, Alex Funhouse, and Russ Fustino’s presentations many times during the year).
I think that I should attend new presenters that I have never seen before, and I did. I also learned from every session I attended, and from the many conversations I had with other speakers and attendees. I could easily turn into a Code Camp evangelist (Joe Healy, and Dave Noderer).
I think it is one of the best ideas in a long time for training and networking within the Microsoft developer community. I'll give a quick 10 great things about Code Camps (I know I could list many more), but these are the ones that personally benefit me.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well, I went home early and I knew I missed all others fun in the afternoon, and the Microsoft's Party at night.
1. Free knowledge from folks actually using the product.
2. Choices - I get to choose what topics (and often levels of difficulty) to attend.
3. Opportunity to listened to a friendly group of IT professionals
4. Learn from questions and feedback from the attendees
5. Meeting new friends and peers - I've made new contacts at the Code Camp I have attended
6. Hooking up with old friends - keeping in touch with those I familiar face that I met at the day before prior to last year Code Camps
7. User Group networking - I have found that user groups help other user groups and they really enjoy helping other user groups
8. In Fort LauderdaleFlorida the top prize seemed to be popular this year is “Communities Credits Awards” “marketing material(?)”.
9. Great food (of course)
10. A LOT OF FUN!