Well this week is just about all but in the books, the second full week of May is over.  The NBA playoffs are down to just a few teams with the Eastern and Western Conferences just about set for next week.  Speaking of conferences … there are only three more weeks until Dell Storage Forum 2011 kicks off in Orlando, Florida and the Walt Disney World resort.

If you missed last years event well … you missed a lot.  There was great user interactions in the training sessions, great sessions on everything from Jumbo Frames to full blow site to site replication, keynotes from Darren Thomas and Michael Dell, fun, food, prizes and the Solutions Expo. 

This years conference is going to be even better.  This year we have opened the doors to include all of Dell’s Storage portfolio – Dell Compellent, Dell EqualLogic and Dell PowerVault.  Do not miss this chance to learn how to leverage the full potential of Dell Fluid Data technology, plus you might even get a sneak peak at our next storage platforms.

So what can you expect

• Executive Keynotes – hear Michael Dell and other executives discuss the strategy behind Dell Storage, our vision for the future, our growing partner sales channel and joint innovation with leading technology alliance partners.
• Technical Deep Dives – choose from dozens of breakout sessions across multiple concurrent tracks, including Dell EqualLogic, Dell Compellent, Dell PowerVault, Networking, Virtualization & Application Solutions, and Intelligent Data Management.
• Storage Best Practices – discover proven, real-world strategies for architecting and configuring the complete lineup of Dell Storage systems directly from engineers, storage architects, solutions integration specialists, product managers and other Dell experts.
• Instructor-led Training – get certified in various aspects of Dell Storage by attending optional premium classroom training sessions held before and after the core customer conference and partner summit.
• Hands-on Labs – test drive the latest Dell Storage functionality and solutions integration at your own pace in a live production environment, with experts available to help you navigate and answer questions.
• Networking – share best practices and lessons learned with other storage enthusiasts, and get access to Dell thought leaders, technical experts and technology alliance partners, between sessions and at evening events, including the much-anticipated Epcot® Celebration.

Check out the agendas for both customers and partner via the Dell Storage Forum web site.  Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks prior to Dell Storage Forum 2011.  Also, jump over to the Dell TechCenter for more info on Dell Storage Forum and technical information on Dell’s Storage Portfolio.  You can also follow the conversation via Twitter by following the @DellTechCenter storage evangelists @iSCSIKing and @DennisMSmith. 

Pssst, one more thing before I go, I have heard from a very reliable source that this year we are going to have a very special Dell TechCenter guest, so keep checking back for all the details …