ewout@topcat.commodore.com (Ewout Walraven) (05/23/91)
The following contains detailed information about the '91 North American Amiga Developers Conference, followed by the registration form. Feel free to post this on other networks. Ewout Commodore Applications and Technical Support (CATS) sponsors two Amiga Developers Conferences annually to train, motivate, and exchanged information with Amiga software and peripheral developers. The conferences take place in North America and Europe to reach the largest number of developers possible. The '91 North American Developers Conference will be from September 3-7 in Denver, CO. We've done our best to consider the feedback received at last year's DevCon, and we believe we'll be able to provide an even better conference in 1991. We've added a day to the conference this year as a result of the many suggestions we received to schedule fewer sessions concurrently. Enclosed (also as a result of popular demand) is a preliminary list of possible sessions. Please look it over and indicate on the registration form which sessions you are most likely to attend -- again to help us schedule to satisfy your needs. We've also planned more ``special events'' this year. These are casual gatherings designed to facilitate communication outside the meeting rooms. Why You Should Attend the Amiga DevCon If you are currently developing or considering developing products for the Amiga or CDTV market, here's why you should seriously consider attending DevCon: - To learn about the latest developments inside Commodore. New hardware, software, development tools, and programs can directly affect your business. What you learn at the Amiga DevCon enables you to bring products to market in a timely fashion to take advantage of those developments. - To make new business contacts. Networking with other developers can help you in the future with strategic partnerships, advice, joint lobbying, and standardization. ``Networking Value'' was the highest rated attribute of last year's DevCon. - To interact with Commodore representatives. Representatives from CATS, Engineering, CDTV, Marketing and Quality Assurance will be on hand to discuss developer issues, ideas, problems, solutions, and plans. - To learn about areas you aren't currently familiar with. You'll become aware of development opportunities you may not have previously considered. Denver Information In the spring of 1858, a Georgia prospector found some gold dust on a tributary of the South Platte River, near present-day Englewood (a suburb of Denver). Though the gold soon ran out, news of a rich strike in the Rockies blew out of proportion and spread east. Enthusiastic miners began making their way west with the slogan ``Pike's Peak or Bust.'' In the spring of 1859, a rich strike at Central City in the mountains west of Denver rekindled the rush to the area. This time it was real. The rush to the Rockies this year will consist of Amiga developers from far and wide, as Denver hosts the annual North American Amiga Developers Conference. The Denver Marriott City Center will be the site of the 1991 DevCon from September 3-7. The city is served by Stapleton International Airport, a conduit of direct and connecting flights to every major city in North America. The airport is 15 minutes east of downtown Denver. Union Station, an Amtrak hub, receives six daily arrivals from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago. As a result of its location on the east slope of the Rocky Mountains, Denver boasts a mild sunny, semi-arid climate that is near perfect. September temperatures generally range from a low of 47 degrees to a high of 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Denver's September skies are sunny 75 percent of the time. Logo Contest Winner Scott Bennett of Expert Services designed the winning logo shown on the cover and (in modified form) on each page of this information pack. Chosen by the CATS staff from a wide and varied field of entries, Scott's entry earned him free admission to DevCon. Thanks to all who participated. Congratulations, Scott. Hotel Information Denver Marriott City Center 1701 California Street Denver, CO 80202 (303) 297-1300 Fax: (303) 298-7474 Here are some of the amenities you will enjoy during your stay at the Marriott: - Marjolaine's Restaurant: Offers breakfast and lunch buffet, as well as lunch and dinner specials. - Charms Lounge: Serving a quick lunch and snacks throughout the day, as well as cocktails until 2 a.m. - Room Service: Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - Midnight Saturday & Sunday, 7 a.m. - Midnight - Complimentary Fitness Center Featuring: - lap pool - 2 aerobi-cycles - 2 computerized bicycles - 3 rowing machines - 1 treadmill - weight room with Universal Circuit, free weights, bench press, and dumb bells - Aerobic classes offered Monday through Friday during lunch hour - Locker rooms for both men and women with a sauna in each - Hours: Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. - Parking: $11 for 24 hours (unlimited in and out privileges) at Mile High Valet across the street from the hotel. Alternate parking is available within walking distance of the hotel for $3-5 per day or each time you enter the lot. For information on the conference room rates and to make reservations at the Marriott use the form included in this mailing. Send that form directly to the Marriott -- the address is on the form and at the top of this page. Directions to the hotel will be included with your conference confirmation. Planes & Cars (& Money) We want to save you money (because we want you to come to DevCon). To that end, we've made the following deals: Airfare Savings United Airlines will provide DevCon attendees round-trip service to Denver on United or United Express from any point served in the U.S. at the following discounts: - a 5% discount off any United or United Express published fare in effect when tickets are purchased subject to all applicable restrictions. - a 40% discount off unrestricted coach fares in effect when tickets are purchased 7 days in advance and the reservations are made in M class of service. Meeting fares will apply only if travel is commenced and completed during the meeting travel period (8/31-9/10/91). All reservations are subject to availability at time of reservations. United will also make published Canadian meeting fares in select markets available to DevCon attendees. These special fares are subject to availability at the time of booking and are subject to all rules governing the tariff. Reservations can be booked through Commodore's travel agent, Lobb Travel at (800) 331-8687 or (215) 647-8600. Tickets will be issued and mailed to you by Lobb. Car Rental Savings Hertz is offering discounted rates for DevCon attendees. Information on these discounts will be included with your conference confirmation. What Sessions Do You Want? To assist us in scheduling, please indicate which of the following sessions interest you. Send this section back to us with your registration form or we won't know what you voted for. (Note: This is only a partial list of sessions. There are many others we cannot talk about at this time.) Software Sessions - Introduction to Amiga Programming* (1/2 day) - User Interface Style - Many Sessions on New Features - Localization - Networking - Debugging Amiga Software - Debugging Workshop - AmigaVision - Migrating to 2.0, Including PAL/NTSC Issues - IFF Update - ARexx Hardware Sessions - New Hardware - Zorro III Architecture - A3000 Coprocessor Slot - Debugging Hardware General Sessions - What's New? - Introduction to CDTV - Developing for Future Compatibility - You Asked Us - Open Forum CDTV - Many Sessions (technical and non-technical) Non-Technical Sessions - Managing Your Company for Growth: A Seminar of Business Tactics for the '90s* (all day) -- see Special Events section of this mailing - Finding the Right European Distributor - Professional Markets - Education Markets - Consumer Markets - Public Relations Special Events Introduction to Amiga Programming Tuesday, September 31 p.m. - 5 p.m. This yearly offering is geared toward programmers who have never written code for the Amiga. A working knowledge of C is helpful. Managing Your Company for Growth: A Seminar of Business Tactics for the '90s Tuesday, September 38 a.m. - 6 p.m. $50 (for DevCon registrants)$95 (for DevCon non-registrants) This one-day seminar is being conducted by the American Management Association, an organization that has been educating businesses and organizations in management techniques for over 65 years. You'll learn how to develop a business plan and how to effectively control your company's cash flow for a more profitable future. Welcome Reception Tuesday, September 3 6 p.m. An informal Western-style barbecue kicks off the opening of Mile-High DevCon. Developers' Showcase Computer Room Thursday, September 5 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. The Computer Room will be open every evening during DevCon, but THURSDAY night is the official time to come down and strut your latest stuff. (Munchies of the Chinese variety will be served.) If you have an application you would like to present that requires special equipment or more space than is usually necessary, get in touch with Karl Herrmann and we'll do our best to accommodate you. Comedy Works Larimer Square Group Reservation$11/person Friday, September 610 p.m. One of the world's best comedy clubs is in downtown Denver. The Comedy Works hosts acts you've seen on Letterman, Carson, Saturday Night Live, HBO & Showtime. Enjoy an evening of hilarity as DevCon winds down (could a group reservation for Amiga developers be anything but?). Spouses/significant others welcome. Developers' Choice Awards Luncheon Saturday, September 7Noon A salute to the best of Amiga! We'll pay tribute to your choices for the best Amiga products released in 1990 in the following categories: best entertainment software, best education software, best consumer productivity software, best professional productivity software, best user interface and best hardware product. One product will also be inducted into the ``Amiga Hall of Fame.'' (Ballots included in this mailing.) ``Taste of the Rockies'' Tour $15/person Saturday, September 71:30-5:30 p.m. Enjoy a ``Taste of the Rocky Mountains'' with a trip to the Foothills and a visit to the landmark Red Rocks Park. The sandstone formations in the park have produced a spectacular outdoor amphitheater -- a perfect spot for picture taking, and a scenic route just outside of Denver provides a panoramic view of the city. To match this scenery the tour continues up Lookout Mountain and down the breathtaking Lariat Trail overlooking Golden and Denver. A tour of Coors Brewery, the world's largest single brewing facility, will be included. (Yes, there will be an opportunity to taste-test for those of age.) Spouses/significant others welcome. The Registration Form Instructions: - One form per registrant please -- duplicate this form for additional registrations - Payment must accompany form -Please print or type form and attach a business card - Return this and the suggested sessions form (by 8/1 for discount rate) to: CATS -- DevCon 1200 Wilson Drive West Chester, PA 19380 Fax: (215) 431-9156 Name Title Company Address City, State, Zip Telephone Fax Developer number Payment (check appropriate method): - Check/money order enclosed (payable to Commodore Business Machines) - VISA - Master Card Card no. Exp. date Card holder's signature Registration fees (circle category that applies): Earlybird (by 8/1) + Members of the Commercial Developer Support Program $250 + Members of the Certified Developer Support Program $350 +on-members (includes previous members) $500 Late/on-site + Members of the Commercial Developer Support Program $400 + Members of the Certified Developer Support Program $500 + Non-members (includes previous members) $650 Special events R.S.V.P. I plan to attend the following special events: + Introduction to Amiga Programming ( Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1 -5 p.m.) + Managing Your Company for Growth (Tuesday, Sept.3, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.) (add $50 per person for DevCon registrants; $95 per person for DevConnon-registrants) + Welcome Reception (Tuesday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m.) + Developers' Showcase (Thursday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m.) + Comedy Works Group Reservation (Friday, Sept. 6, 10 p.m.) ___people@$11/person + Developers' Choice Awards Luncheon (Saturday, Sept. 7, Noon) + ``Taste of the Rockies'' Tour (Saturday, Sept. 7, 1:30-5:30 p.m.) ___people@$15/person Total amount enclosed: $_______ Cancellation/refund policy: cancellations of registration fee(s) will be refunded in full (minus $75 processing fee) up to 8/1/91. Refunds of 50% of registration fee(s) will be made up to 8/23/91. No refunds will be made after 8/23/91.