It’s Friday, the work week is over. On Sunday I will be heading to the airport to depart for Chicago to attend the 2011 ABA TECHSHOW. As I have mentioned before, I am the I.T. guy at our small firm. Not because I am highly qualified but because I have the most knowledge of the limited tech knowledge our firm possesses. That is why I am going to TECHSHOW again (I went in 2008 also). It is a chance to learn new things and meet new people in the technology world.
In addition to the conference, there is an Expo where over 100 exhibitors will set up booths to show off their legal technology wares. This will give me a chance to evaluate several billing software options that I have been considering up close and undoubtedly learn of new options I have not considered. Technology is ever-changing and the Expo is a great way to see the latest and greatest and get a peek at the products coming next.
Although the conference is huge, the coordinators have taken steps to enable networking to take place. On the first two nights there are organized dinners on specific topics hosted by the presenters. On Monday I will be joining Dan Siegel and Jim Calloway for some tasty Italian fare while discussing case management, paperless offices, and technology & ethics. On Tuesday I get to share sushi with Dan Pinnington and Reid Trautz, the authors of The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to Success
To top it all off, I will earn enough continuing education hours for the whole year and probably enough to satisfy my requirements for next year. That means not having to miss work days going to some subpar conferences covering topics I am not very interested in just to get my hours.
If you can’t tell, I am excited. The downside for the trip is Hot Mama will be staying home with our three little kiddos. In 2008 she and the girls went with me and they had a blast exploring Chicago while I was in the conference. Even though my wife is tremendously capable, it may have been too much to ask for her to try to travel the city with a 12-week old infant and two “spirited” little girls by herself. I am fortunate that I do not have to be away from home very often, and this trip is only for a few days.
So TECHSHOW here I come. I plan to post updates as the conference progresses so check back to get a small taste of the experience and you will see why you may want to schedule a trip to Chicago in 2012.
