Oracle OpenWorld Blog

Because It's Your. Open. World. Too

If you're a partner in Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN), make sure you're tuned in to the things we've planned just for you at Oracle OpenWorld 2008. We've got ways to connect you to customers, and activities to keep you on the inside track. (If you're not a partner—but want to be—visit the OPN portal. Join, and then come meet us in San Francisco.)

Sunday, September 21 is partner day at Oracle OpenWorld, so come join us at the Oracle PartnerNetwork Forum. This free Forum is open to all partners in OPN who are registered for Oracle OpenWorld. It's your inside track to information on emerging opportunity areas, strategies for growth, and the key messages your customers and prospects will hear from Oracle. Click here to learn more and to register.

The Forum is just to get things started. There are plenty more Oracle OpenWorld activities and resources just for partners:

North America Titan Awards: recognizing innovation and business achievement.
Oracle PartnerNetwork Reception: a great opportunity to talk to other partners and to Alliance and Channel executives.
Oracle PartnerNetwork Lounge: meeting space, networking opportunities, info kiosks, and meet-and-greets.
"Partner Only" Sessions: informative sessions designed specifically for you.
Increase your visibility: opportunities abound at Oracle OpenWorld.
Solutions Catalog: another way to make sure customers can find you.

But don't wait for September—join the conversation today in the Oracle OpenWorld group and the OPN group on Oracle Mix.

Sharlene Ratcliff-Korenica
Director, Worldwide Alliances & Channels

[Image updated 07.28.08]

It Would Be a Small World Without Them

Oracle has more than 20,000 partners around the world, and Oracle OpenWorld is the one place customers can find hundreds of them in one location. This year we'll have more than 450 partners exhibiting in 300,000 square feet of space, turning the Exhibition Halls into a virtual learning emporium. Check out the exhibitor listing to see who's coming.

Each year attendees flock to the Moscone South and West Exhibition Halls to meet our partners and explore exhibits, technology innovations, games, product demos, and more. In fact, there's so much to do that attendees requested more time to do it. In response, we've dedicated session-free time in the schedule this year—and reduced the number of keynotes—to give you more time on the show floor.

As amazing as the Exhibition Halls are, keep in mind that our partners also play a huge role in the conference by sponsoring and delivering sessions. And you don't want to miss the keynotes of Mark Hurd, Chairman of the Board and CEO of HP and Paul S. Otellini, President and CEO of Intel Corporation. These industry luminaries from two of our most important strategic partners will be imparting important insights you won't be able to get from anyone else. HP is Oracle OpenWorld's 2008 Marquee Sponsor, and Intel is Oracle OpenWorld's 2008 Innovation Sponsor. You can find dates and times for all the speakers in the keynote schedule.

If you're a partner, we've got plenty of special activities and resources for you at Oracle OpenWorld too. Oracle PartnerNetwork Forum on Sunday, September 21 is designed entirely for Oracle partners and is a "can't miss." Be sure to read our partners only post for the lowdown on the Oracle PartnerNetwork Forum, the OPN Lounge, Titan Awards, and other exclusive offerings at the conference.

Sharlene Ratcliff-Korenica
Director, Worldwide Alliances & Channels

How to Make the Most of Oracle OpenWorld Year Round

Oracle OpenWorld 2008 was a fantastic experience, and the partners who sponsored the conference were key to making it the tremendous show that it was. Many thanks to this year’s sponsors, and to the more than 450 partners in the Exhibition Halls.

At the conference, we heard news from scores of Oracle partners about Oracle-based solutions and services for customers, and we witnessed the unveiling of new and innovative Oracle initiatives for our partners. The announcements once again demonstrated the tremendous breadth and depth of the Oracle ecosystem—and you can check it all out in the Oracle OpenWorld Partners News Center.

If you’re an Oracle partner—or considering becoming one—you’ll also want to spend some time at Oracle PartnerNetwork Online. At Oracle OpenWorld, we had a lineup of executives from across Oracle talking about partner enablement, and all the sessions are available on demand.

At Oracle PartnerNetwork Online, you can also download presentations about partnering opportunities and strategies. Don’t miss Partner Enablement 2.0, the new and improved partner enablement strategy that will provide expanded education choices including new Boot Camps, Solution Kits, the OPN Competency Center, and an updated OPN portal.

Sharlene Ratcliff-Korenica
Director, Worldwide Alliances & Channels

Join Your Colleagues for the Annual Oracle OpenWorld Partner Day

This is going to be an informative and productive year at Oracle OpenWorld for partners in the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN). You will have opportunity to connect with each other, with customers, experts, consultants, bloggers, and just about anyone else who can help you do the most for your customers (and your bottom line).

This year's OPN Forum is Sunday, October 11. It features a fantastic lineup of activities, features, sessions, and networking. This partners-only event includes:

• A special vision-and-strategy session with Oracle executives
• Special partners-only sessions
• North America Titan and Global PartnerNetwork awards

And be sure to check out the OPN Lounge in Moscone South. It's a great place to meet with colleagues and customers, or just to kick back and relax amidst the hustle and bustle.

You have to be registered for Oracle OpenWorld to join the OPN forum, so get your pass now while Early Bird prices are still in effect. Then register for the forum, and we'll see you at the show.

If you're not an Oracle partner yet—but want to be—visit the OPN portal.

Have any other tips for your fellow partners? Feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Make The Right Connections At Partner Events

Filling up your Oracle OpenWorld dancecard? Don't forget to add a stop at events designed specifically for our partners. Join the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) team at the Westin Hotel on Market Street for seven dedicated, partner-only sessions or drop by two dedicated OPN areas in the Moscone center.

The OPN Forum kicks off in the Moscone South hall on Sunday, October 11, with Judson Althoff who will announce the North America Titan and Global PartnerNetwork awards and tell you about new opportunities and strategies for increasing your business. It's the ideal chance to meet a powerful community of Oracle executives, customers, experts, and consultants.

Also in Moscone South, Room 100, the OPN Lounge will be open Monday through Wednesday for colleagues and customers to connect, relax, or get partner program questions answered. In addition to information stations and meeting rooms, there's a new Video Blogging Area where you can stop by during lounge hours and upload your clips from the show floor.

If you're not an Oracle partner yet—but want to be—visit the OPN portal.

Have any other tips for your fellow partners? Feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Exerpt from the official daily newspaper from Oracle Magazine and Profit. By Stephanie Spada.

The Oracle PartnerNetwork Lounge, hosted by the Oracle Alliances & Channels team, is designed with our partners in mind. Open Monday through Wednesday in Room 100 of Moscone South, the OPN Lounge is your oasis from the throngs of Oracle OpenWorld attendees. It is also a place to informally network with your peers and the Oracle Alliances & Channels team. The OPN Lounge offers a number of resources just for our partners.

Partner-Only Meeting Facilities—the OPN Lounge provides 17 semiprivate meeting rooms solely for the use of our OPN partners. In addition to conference seating for 8-10 people, each room includes power and internet access. Stop by the OPN Lounge any time, during regular business hours, to reserve space for your customers, peers, and Oracle meetings.

Get the full story in the Oracle OpenWorld Daily.