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5 Ways to Maximize Your Google Cloud Next 2021 Experience

Google Cloud Next. My favorite annual event. Making new connections, reconnecting with those I haven’t seen for a year, and learning about the continuous innovation at Google generates so much energy inspiration.

And despite the virtual format again this year, I still feel that sense of anticipation. Google Cloud Next ’21 is a fully digital experience taking place Oct. 12-14. The event is open to anyone who is interested in exploring how cloud technology can help them solve their biggest business challenges. The team behind this flagship event has designed an immersive experience for both business and technical audiences. You can choose from several content tracks, with featured live experiences and on-demand sessions to suit your schedule and personal interests. Registration is free, so it’s a great opportunity to learn.

A quick glance at the agenda highlights the amount and caliber of valuable content. As someone who has attended Google Cloud Next for many years, I’ve mastered how to get the most out of the conference when every session looks like a must-attend. Here are my top five ways to maximize the experience.

Don’t wait for event day to register

Don’t wait until the last minute to register. A little preparation ensures you see and learn topics most relevant to you. Registering in advance eliminates any last-minute scramble to build your agenda. 

Organize your schedule with playlists

Be diligent and set aside time to start exploring the content catalog. You’ll discover topics of interest across a variety of subjects and technology areas. Playlists are an easy way to schedule your event experience. You can group sessions by tracks, industry, even learning level. This ensures that you prioritize those must-see live sessions on your calendar. 

Create custom playlists aligned to team development and your corporate objectives

If you manage a technical team, why not recommend sessions that align to individual roles and employee development plans? Name your team playlist, pick sessions and—voila—a shared team learning journey. When you encourage team members to share their playlists, everyone is empowered to help move your organization forward. Sift through everyone’s recommendations and create your personal favorites list, just in time for event day. 

To meet corporate objectives, do the same: get sales, marketing and your business development/partner teams involved. Assign sessions, ask for summaries on things you care about as an org., and share.

Get the latest scoop: Follow #GoogleCloud and #GoogleCloudNext social feeds 

With less than three weeks before Google Cloud Next ‘21, you’ll want to catch all the latest announcements leading up to the event. Google Cloud social feeds are your most up-to-date source of information, whether it’s that must-see broadcast, demo or keynote, or just to check out recommended playlists. Visit @googlecloud’s twitter feed regularly. That’s where I found this recommended session list—the advanced developer skills playlist.

Schedule an event watch party

You can’t be at the event in person, but why can’t your team get together? Many people are back in the office on a hybrid schedule. If you’re fortunate enough to have a physical office location, try to schedule your in-office days around the event. That way you and the team can watch together and share feedback and ideas while the content is fresh in everyone’s mind. 

If you’re attending Google Cloud Next ‘21, make sure you check out these sessions on the Pythian Playlist:  

  • Pythian CTO Paul Lewis speaks about Transforming Data into Value: Trends & Best Practices & Unlocking SAP Data for Innovation.  
  • Don’t miss our customer spotlight session with Sanmina CIO Manesh Patel and Pythian’s EVP of Cloud Ops, Aric Bandy, as they discuss Sanmina’s digital transformation with Google Cloud.

As you start to explore the rich programming and content available at Google Cloud Next, remember the most important tip of all: enjoy! This event happens only once a year, so seize the opportunity to learn, grow and connect (virtually) with some of the brightest voices in tech. 

See you there!

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