Sage Summit 2014 is a combined partner and customer event scheduled to be held July 28-31, 2014 in Las Vegas.  Not much information has been officially released by Sage other than “Sage Summit will continue to provide opportunities to connect one on one with your customers, as well as attendees who are not yet part of the Sage family”.

Early registration for customers featured a significantly reduced rate of $99 (expired  1/15/14). Sage indicates at least 1,000 customers took advantage of the promotion and that their goal for 2014 is to double attendance (which was likely in the 2,500-3,000 range for 2013 against a pre-event estimate of 3,500).

We’ve receive numerous web and phone inquiries about this event and here is our unofficial shot at a frequently asked questions guide to Sage Summit 2014 in Vegas.

Frequently Asked Questions – Sage Summit

1. What is the cost for Sage Partners to attend? 

Through March 28, 2014 partners may pre-register at http://na.sage.com/us/sage-summit/info-request and use promo code PREPART to receive a reduced rate of $399.

After March 28, 2014 the rate will be $799. Full registration is scheduled to begin in April 2014. We do not yet have an exact date when registration will open.

2. I’ve received phone calls from a number of companies offering to book my hotel for Sage Summit – is this legitimate? 

Quite a few Sage partners and exhibitors have been contacted by a company (or companies) claiming to represent Sage housing. Whether these companies are misleading participants or simply aggressively marketing an independent travel service is open to interpretation. Sage says that these inquiries by third parties are a scam and that housing reservations made through unaffiliated third parties can’t be guaranteed and may have hidden charges.

The official housing registration will be online and you can book  in April 2014 when registration is scheduled to open.

Sage is presently displaying the following hotels and rates (link):

3. When will exhibitor information be sent for Sage Summit 2014?

As of March 3, 2014 it appears  only some exhibitors have received information.

As a 2013 sponsor/exhibitor, you will be the first to be notified. The prospectus will be available by March 17, and contracting for booth space and sponsorships will open on March 25. Registration for booth staff and hotel rooms will be available on April 8 when Sage Summit registration opens for everyone.

 

As discussed on LinkedIn by a Sage representative – here are some major changes to this year’s program, where their goal is to add value and exposure to every exhibitor.

• The new program is turnkey which means it is inclusive of physical booth properties, internet access, computer monitors, drayage, electrical and more. All you bring is staff and your demo device. The package last year only included the space and electrical.

•More exhibit conference passes have been added to each package. The expo will be open all day, every day and are supporting your need for additional staff.

•Should you elect to bring more staff than included, each additional conference pass is $399 (compared to $750 in prior years)

• Increased exposure through marketing, digital campaigns and social media

• A “just one place” format that is open all day, all the time with learning centers, interactive theaters, hands on labs, solution centers and more.
4. What will the agenda look like for Summit 2014? 

Based upon statements by Sage :

 forget everything you ever knew about Sage Summit, because this year’s conference is going to be like nothing you’ve ever seen before.  The only thing you’ll recognize in Vegas will be the Sage green- everything else is going to be radically different.

We expect  the sessions and educational opportunities will be significantly different than prior Summits. Early indications are that more general sessions will include

speakers- household names you know, along with content experts- names you trust, delivering tracks aimed at solving real business challenges

It seems likely that there will be more sessions covering general business topics of interest to the typical conference attendee.

Sage’s website lists the following broad agenda outline:

Monday, July 28

• Business partner general session
• Expo and learning forums
• Breakout and theater sessions
• Expo welcome reception

Tuesday, July 29

• Business partner and customer general session
• Expo and learning forums
• Breakout and theater sessions
• Expo and reception

Wednesday, July 30

• Thought leadership general session
• Expo and learning forums
• Breakout and theater sessions
• Expo and reception

Thursday, July 31

• Expo and learning forums
• Breakout and theater sessions
• Expo and reception
• Sage Summit finale party

5. Will this year’s Sage Summit 2014 include meals, events, etc – even at the steeply discounted early registration rate?

So far as we are aware events and meals are all included.  However until registration goes live it won’t be possible to know for sure.

 

This is the information we have as of now. As more details become available we will update the above.

Sage Summit is Sage North America’s annual customer and partner conference. This year it occurs July 21-26, 2013 in Washington DC at the Gaylord National. There are hundreds of educational sessions covering nearly every product that Sage offers. The educational sessions are reason enough to attend however there really are two standout sessions which should easily pay for the entire conference.

 

 Three Reasons To Attend Sage Summit 2013

#1 Sage City

If you’ve ever wondered how other companies in an industry similar to yours manage their business using Sage products then you will want to attend Sage City. Organized into small groups you’ll network with other attendees and collaborate on solving mutual problems – or maybe just sharing some tips and tricks.

However the real value in Sage City may not be in the hour or two that you participate at the conference.  If you’re smart during Sage City you’ll gather up names and email addresses of fellow participants. When you get back to the office if you keep in touch with your Sage City friends you’ll find that you soon develop an active network of peers who you can ask questions of and share ideas.

Over seven years ago I saw this happen at a Sage conference with a group of Sage resellers. At the time we were only about 6 or 8 people who kept in touch by email after the conference ended. Since then we’ve grown to 130 consultants and we are having annual conferences and educational sessions hosted by our own members.

Here’s a quick video overview of Sage City

 

#2 Hands On Courses

Sage brings a whole room full of computers to Sage Summit where they host full sessions of hands-on training courses. These sessions have great materials (very similar to the regular Sage educational guides) and offer an ability to ask questions of Sage’s trainers. If you don’t feel the need for an all day hands-on course and just want a short (but professional refresher) then don’t miss these courses.

 

 

 

#3 Discount Sage Summit 2013 Registration Code

If you’ve  decided to attend – here’s a code that will get you:

 

• $200 Off Registration
• PLUS 2 nights hotel at Gaylord
• LIMITED 100 Customer registrants
• New registrants only
• Add 3rd night for $145
• Additional nights at conference rate
• Use promo code: HOTEL

 

Sage Summit