While At RSA: Remember, It's More Than Just The Show Floor
We are just a few days away from this year's RSA Conference and security PR, marketing and sales teams are doing the last minute scramble to ensure that all of their ducks are in a row for next week's planned activities. Amidst all of the craziness, the Schwartz Communications Security Practice wanted to share one last reminder to those that will be on-site in San Francisco: there is more to the RSA Conference than the trade show floor!
The RSA Conference has traditionally been considered a very strong peer to peer networking event, so if this is your first time at RSA or you haven't managed to get out much in prior years, here are some of the primary hot spots where you will see gaggles of attendees networking throughout all of next week:
The Lobby Bar at The W
Location: 181 Third Street
What many would consider "the" place to be, particularly after show floor hours and into the late hours of the night (this joint is packed until closing). Action at The W starts before the show floor closes, as many will use the bar and its couches as an area to conduct meetings, particularly because of its close proximity to the Moscone Center. However, things really get hopping after dinner time, when droves of security professionals jam into this RSA hot spot. Some have said that if you hang out at The W during the entire week, you will have seen most of the movers and shakers in the security industry, as they will all stop by at least once during the conference. In addition, many vendors host parties just upstairs from the bar on the second and third floors, so as those events conclude, the guests come back downstairs and spill into the masses.
ThirstyBear Brewing Company (aka: the Thirsty Bear)
Location: 661 Howard Street
A casual atmosphere just down the street from the Moscone Center, the Thirsty Bear is a popular place for RSA attendees to get off their feet after a long day of running around and grab a bite to eat. This two-floor establishment is probably best known for its local micro brews and tapas. However, if you are looking for something a little more hearty, definitely consider one of the paella dishes. It is sure to fill you up and send you on your way for the rest of the night. If you are planning on vendor party-hopping, chances are you will wind up here at least once, as the second floor during the week of the RSA Conference is usually reserved for said parties. Vendor parties aside, the Thirsty Bear tends to be one of the first stops made by many across the hot spots to be seen throughout the evening.
Jillian's at the Metreon
Location: 101 Fourth Street
Great location, very spacious, sports galore on TVs across the entire bar, good food and drink. Jillian's is certainly no secret to RSA goers of years past. It is one of those places that you may wind up at because some of the other places are so crowded and there is a bit more room to be comfortable. Additionally, this is another one of the locations where vendors conduct their parties and often times multiple gatherings will be going on simultaneously in the various rooms across the expansive layout. One such event that will be taking place at Jillian's this year is the clever "Disaster Recovery Breakfast" that is put on by the gang at Securosis and Threatpost.
Moscone Center Hallways and Lobbies
Location: 747 Howard Street
Sometimes there's just no substitute for on-site activity. After all, we are all there for the majority of our time during the course of the week. When not roaming around the exhibit hall or staffing a booth, the next closest thing where hundreds upon hundreds gather is just outside the show floor in the hallways and lobbies of the Moscone Center. In between keynote and training sessions, you find lots of people conducting meetings at the tables (those lucky enough to get them), in the cafe' areas, outside the press room and even sitting on the floor. And just up the escalators in the entrance lobby areas, the couches and chairs will be constantly filled with industry chatter taking place.
Vendor Parties
Location: Varied, all across San Francisco
As referenced above, lots of vendors will host their own parties in part to wine and dine prospective customers and to thank existing customers for their loyal patronage. Some parties are more stringent than others with regard to invitations, whereas others will open it up to whoever would like to take part. Make no mistake about it, though, most of these events are great ways to network while getting some complimentary food and beverages along the way. And it's not always the behemoth vendors like Microsoft who have the best parties or locations. Keep an eye and ear out for who is planning on attending which parties. If they are folks that you would like to further network with, figure out how to get yourself invited.
SC Awards
Location: Intercontinental Hotel, 888 Howard Street
Where vendors and industry luminaries alike gather for this black tie gala for what is always a highly anticipated evening of recognition for the best of the best in the security industry over the past year. In its 13th year, the SC Awards gathering is a schmooze-fest that kicks off with a cocktail hour, followed by the dinner and awards program and commences with the "after glow" where winners from over thirty award categories can bask in the glory and show off their hardware to industry peers (and get their PR teams busy writing press releases boasting about the accolade bestowed upon them).
Hotel Lobbies
Location: Varied, all across San Francisco
Ah, the trend of networking and conducting business in hotel lobbies will never grow old. From the lounge areas right out in front of check-in to adjacent bars, you will never find yourself alone, regardless of the hotel that you are staying at (they are all at capacity during RSA for the most part). If you do find yourself alone and wanting to network a bit, keep an eye out for the many corporate golf shirts, tipping off who is with which companies or look at those conference badges and find someone to chat with. You are all there with something in common, so ice breakers should be easy to come by.
If you weren't aware of some of the hot spots to hit up during the RSA week, hopefully this list will get you started. Many members of the Schwartz Communications Security Practice will be out and about as usual and we hope to see you along the way. So, get out there. Press some palms. Reunite with industry friends and contacts. See and be seen and make the most out of your RSA Conference experience this year.
Have we missed any hot spots? What is your favorite RSA hangout to see and be seen?
Posted by Tim Whitman on February 25, 2010 at 9:41 AM
