WWPC Barrier: To blog or not to blog?

With the recent degradation in the quality of service provided in the lower ends of the IT market many IT Professionals have called for some minimum barriers to entry. Unfortunately, there is not much that separates your Joe Plumber, Susan Accountant, Bubba MCSA and the sad thing is that the Susan Accountant is probably the best suited of all three because she has the willingness to learn. On the face, it’s difficult to spot a crook when you don’t know what you’re looking for and many have turned to Microsoft to provide an answer, the bottom so to speak.

Well, Microsoft has done just that in the form of the World Wide Partner Conference. It is, seemingly, a worthless series of keynotes and launches with a parade of powerless mid-level product managers hoping their positions exist 12 months from now. However, under that glamorous painting of receptions, keynotes, awards and parties there is an interesting aspect of powerful executive networking.. global networking, with people that have been successful enough to both build an IT business and be able to leave it for a week and drop a few thousand dollars in the process of getting there. Obviously this is a filter that doesn’t let your average “We’re a certified partner, my dog is an MCSE” and also limits other individuals that might take away from the value of such powerful networking: community leaders, user group members, etc. Virtually everyone is on equal footing up in Boston, virtually everyone paid the same price for the opportunity to network with people on their level.

So there is your bar, how do you like it? Are you above it? Are you below it?

I’m somewhat conflicted on whether to blog about it or not. Here is my take on the events – if someone invited me and I had a good time, I’m going to talk about it. I feel that’s fair. If I didn’t have a good time I’d just keep my mouth shut and not come back again. Had both happen. But I am looking at this vladville.com blog and its thirty thousand folks and I’m thinking two things:

“Why should I promote a Microsoft event for free to such a large audience?” 

“Would it be a conflict of interest for me to use OWN funds and then provide a free report on what I learned to the generally anonymous public?”
 

It’s looking like a no. At which point does community stop and business begins?