How many Microsoft Dynamics Convergence events have you been to? If you are the ERP or CRM software selection process and have shortlisted Dynamics, then perhaps March 18-21, 2013 will be your first event. (Yes, the event is for prospective buyers too, even though it is the largest annual Microsoft Dynamics user event worldwide.) But I bet there are many event veterans who have been attending since the first Convergence in 1997.

Attendees:

Convergence 2013 goals are 11,500 attendees, a 12.5% increase over Convergence 2012. Of that 11,500 they anticipate a mix of 32% existing customers, 11% prospective customers and 15% Dynamics Partners. (The rest is a mix of sponsors, press, Microsoft team members, crew etc…). The early bird registration discount ends January 25th so they expect to see a spike in registration prior to that date.

ISV EXPO:

The last 3 years in a row the ISV expo has been at sold out capacity but this year there is more space at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Convergence 2012 had 250 sponsors and Microsoft hopes Convergence 2013 will have over 300. With less than 9 weeks to go there are already 248 confirmed sponsors and exhibitors. (2 Platinum, 20 Gold, 12 Silver, 82 Bronze Sponsors and 132 Exhibitors)

A Convergence History

At Convergence 2012 there were 10,221 attendees. This included 3,186 existing customers, 1,189 prospective customers and 1,577 Dynamics Partners.

Here is a look at Convergence stats from previous years showing a 6,232% increase in attendance, pretty impressive!

Microsoft Dynamics Convergence Timeline

2013 – New Orleans

2012 – Houston – 10,221 attendees (first worldwide conference)

2011 – Atlanta – 9,102 attendees

2010 – Atlanta – 8,493 attendees

2009 – New Orleans – 6,693 attendees

2008 – Orlando – 9,527 attendees

2007 – San Diego – 8,903 attendees

2006 – Dallas – 7,404 attendees

2005 – San Diego – 5,892 attendees (first year outside Orlando)

2004 – Orlando – 4,329 attendees

2003 – Orlando – 4,175 attendees

2002 – Orlando – 3,355 attendees (first year after Microsoft acquisition)

2001 – Orlando – 2,927 attendees

2000 – Orlando – 1,946 attendees

1999 – Orlando – 1,216 attendees

1998 – Orlando – 549 attendees

1997 – Orlando – 164 attendees

What happened in 2009?

After 11 years of steady increase in attendance there was a 37% decrease in the attendance in 2009 that has taken several years to regain. Was it only due to the downturn in the economy or was there more to it? I would love to hear from some event alumni on this one.

See you there!

Microsoft Dynamics has some “big bold goals” for Convergence 2013 and I can’t wait to be there in the press box. Be sure to follow the action online on the #Conv13 Live Wall for all the latest news.

By CAL Business Solutions