“CFUnited is the premier ColdFusion specific conference”. Many years ago, at a CFUnited, Michael Smith stuck a video camera in front of me and asked me to say something about the event, and that’s the line that popped out of my mouth. Somehow, that stuck, and for several years that was the event tagline. I meant it then, and still believe it’s true. Since 1999, CFUnited (or CFUN previously) has lined up the very best in the ColdFusion universe, and has educated and inspired thousands of ColdFusion developers in the process. And actually, it’s more than just ColdFusion. In recent years, recognizing the importance of the ColdFusion/Flash/Flex/AIR/DS relationship, CFUnited has dedicated sessions and resources to include coverage of these as well.
So, like many of you, I was very disappointed to learn that CFUnited 2010 will be the grand finale for this important event. As Michael Smith noted in a comment, the decision to say goodbye to CFUnited was purely a financial one. And I sympathize, really. Many industry events, including our own MAX Europe, have suffered the same fate. The economy these past few years has made it harder on conference organizers, sponsors, attendees, and employers. And now it has claimed another victim.
Several long-time CFUnited fans have started urging the community to make every effort to attend this last event, and I fully support that plea. I am really bummed that I’ll not be attending myself this year, but I really do urge all to make every effort to attend, not just to be educated and inspired, but also to hang out, reminisce over drinks, and to show our thanks to the CFunited team for so many years of support (and fun).
But, at the same time, I really want all of you to attend Adobe MAX. Between the ColdFusion sessions managed by our own Adam Lehman, or the ColdFusion Unconference once again under the direction of everyone’s favorite ColdFusion Jedi, ColdFusion is getting lots of love at MAX, and we’d love for all of the ColdFusion community to attend.
Of course, there’s that darned economy again. We know that it’s hard to go to multiple events these days. And yet I want you all to attend CFUnited, and also want you all to attend Adobe MAX. So, what to do?
The answer? Do both, and let us make it easier for you to do so! Really! Courtesy of your friendly ColdFusion and MAX teams, and with the approval of the CFUnited team, I’m really happy to announce that we are going to give a substantial MAX discount to paying CFUnited 2010 attendees, substantial as in about 40% off the MAX price. So, go register for CFUnited, and use discount code ADOCUST for $100 off. And then we’ll send you a discount code allowing you to attend Adobe MAX for just $895 ($600 off the full $1495 price, and $200 less than the group discount rate). Yep, you can have your CF_Cake and eat it, too!
I look forward to seeing you at MAX in Los Angeles. Oh, and please have a drink for me at CFUnited 2010!
Goodbye CFUnited (And A Special Announcement For Attendees)
4 responses to “Goodbye CFUnited (And A Special Announcement For Attendees)”
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Is there a way for those of us who have already registered for CFUnited to get the discount code? I want to go to MAX. I’ve even already asked for the time off, but money is a HUGE issue for me at the moment. Even after registering I still have to pay for airfare to the west coast, as many of us will. I guess my question is, is this strictly a NEW registration thing, or will it be available to ALL attendees of CFUnited?
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Good news Jim, it’s available to ALL paid CFUnited 2010 attendees (but not for CFUnited comp passes). Stay tuned for details.
— Ben -
this is a great announcement, i’ve never been to Max but would like to – registered for CFunited back in the fall – will be watching for the announcement for the folks that have already registered, as per Jim’s request. Looking forward to Max already!
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CFUnited died because its content was sub-par. I was consistently underwhelmed by the expertise of its presenters.
The first time I attended I had only been using CF for a few months at my first job out of college. I was excited to learn about this language who’s surface I had probably just scratched. Then, the cold hard truth hit… 3 months experience with CF put me way ahead of every class they offered.
I went again because my company sponsored it, and the sad tale repeated itself, though exacerbated by my increased experience level.
That said, I am not a brilliant genius. I am an average programmer.
Things like that don’t survive.
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