For three days in May, Joomla! lovers are invited to come to Chicago for the 6th annual CMS Expo Learning and Business Conference. Every conference has featured a full schedule of Joomla learning sessions, and 2012 will carry on that proud tradition! What started in 2008 as a conference for lovers of Joomla CMS has grown for the past four years into a full-blown conference for the entire CMS Community.

2012 CMS Expo Learning and Business Conference
Your place to connect to the CMS Community
May 8, 9, 10, 2012 | USA | www.CMSX.us

John and Linda, for the uninitiated, can you tell us, what exactly is CMSExpo?

John CoonenLinda CoonenCMS Expo is a user-powered conference, showcasing Joomla, alongside other leading CMSs and the people who power them. For three days in May, people from around the world - admins, businesspeople, creatives and developers - come together under one roof, to collaborate, compare CMSs, apps and services, and walk out the door after three days with an action plan for success.

We present practical, relevant, timely, actionable sessions in language that's free of consultant speak and hype (by the way, all advanced tech sessions have warning labels on them for the technically challenged).

CMSA Spotlight Awards Information is here: http://www.cmsexpo.net/awards. (There is a nominal $10 entry fee, to prevent "ballot stuffing" and spam)

Who is the intended audience?

Tech-savvy business people and business-savvy technologists.

Anybody who wants to get more out of their web site (we say "CMS Site" by the way) should be at CMS Expo. There's plenty of tech skills sessions here, but the primary focus is for business users (small business, corporate, CMS for education, non-profit organizations and government).

Who would get the most out of attending?

In-house and independent web designers, developers and marketers and Content Pros who want to sharpen their business and technical skills, make valuable high level business connections, and be on the front line for disruptive new ideas and trends. It's a great venue for web firms to pick up great new projects for their team too!

When and where will this year's CMSExpo be held?

CMS Expo will be held on May 8th, 9th and 10th in Evanston, Illinois, at the 4-star Hilton Orrington Hotel in Evanston, Illinois, USA.

There's a free kick-off soiree on Monday Night, May 7th at the Hotel.

It's called "Meetup Monday Night," and it's free. You don't have to buy a CMS Expo ticket to attend. As long as you're a member of a Joomla user group, or any of our Showcase CMSs (there are 14), you're golden (must register on our site in order to attend).

Is it just one event during the year?

CMS Expo is only once a year (so don't miss it).

What about the cost?

Price is $279 for a single day pass, or $779 for all three days (May 8th, 9th & 10th). There are no hidden fees (which add up quick at other events). Includes breakfasts & lunches (we don't skimp), endless beverages & snacks, access to all sessions, panels, keynotes, and social & business mixers.

Plus, if folks want to come to meet and share Joomla for free, they're invited to come to "Meetup Monday Night" on May 7th (think world-wide user group meetup, from 7:30 - 9:00pm).

Can I be a sponsor?

Sure. We have a few sponsor options still available, and they include entry and a lot of exposure. The reason we're able to hold so many Joomla-specific sessions is thanks to the many sponsors who financially underwrite them, and keep costs in check for attendees.

Note: Other CMSs underwrite the costs of their own learning sessions and presence at CMS Expo. Our Joomla sponsors cover that cost - a win for the Joomla Community.

Do you have anything new lined up for the next CMSExpo?

Everything's new! People don't come to live events to see a re-run, after all. Every year, we survey our past attendees, and based on their feedback, we sit down and build an all-new event, every year.

One last bonus question: How deep is a real Chicago deep-dish pizza?

Depends, how deep is your love? ;)

No Photoshop work from this photo!

Taken by Merav Knafo at CMS Expo, this photo captures the good-natured Dries Buytaert, Founder of Drupal. Dries puts Drupal first of course, but when it comes to building a strong CMS Community, we're all on the same page!