By Karl De Abrew June 6, 2002

Contrasting starkly with many other technology-related conferences of late, the PDF Conference produced by DigiPub Solutions Inc, proved that PDF and Acrobat are once again one of the definitive technologies to talk about face-to-face for some 200 plus devotees.

The twice-annual PDF Conference was touted as being a great success by its producers, Carl and Jo Lou Young of DigiPub Solutions, with one of its best attendance figures in recent history -suggesting that the popularity of real-life events is tending upward from the post-tech-wreck and 9/11 lows.

In an exclusive Planet PDF debriefing, Young spoke of the strong interest in the conference from the business community and government, "We had 210 attendees--40 percent from government, 50 percent from enterprises and 10 percent from educational institutions and non-profit associations."

So as the fifth and in my opinion, most successful-to-date PDF Conference drew to a close, I thought I’d talk with a few of the speakers and attendees to get a feel for exactly what it was that made this conference so special. That is, what could possibly make two hundred plus people make Bethesda, Maryland their home for three days in early June? To be sure, it’s not for the late-night cuisine. [If you’ve ever spent time in the Bethesda area, you’ll know that you’re very lucky to source much than beef jerky at the local service station after 12 midnight which is incidentally what I enjoyed for my first meal on arrival. Mmmm.]

I started by leafing through the post-conference evaluations…

"This conference answered questions I didn't know I had," Morgan Roberson of Mercury Government Services said.

"Outstanding--tremendous value," Bruce Hamilton of the State of Illinois said. "This was my first PDF Conference. I plan to recommend to everyone I work with who uses (or should use) PDF/Acrobat. Thanks!"

Beef jerky or not, it’s hard to argue with that. And the speakers agreed too.

Swiss-based Max Wyss, world-recognized PDF Forms and JavaScript guru and PDF Conference-appointed Grand Master said he felt "that this conference was the best ever in the PDF Conference series."

Three-time Acrobat-book author, Planet PDF-friend and all round nice-guy, Ted Padova concurred stating that there was a fantastic energy and sense of community about the conference.

This sense of community was also picked by my Planet PDF colleague, Kurt Foss, who remarked in his Weblog, "On the user side, the event is definitely building a sense of community, with a considerable number of repeat attendees who with each new three-day trip to 'Camp PDF' deepen their professional and personal friendships, in addition to enriching their tech skills."

Young put the success down to the fact that "…attendees were a bright and energetic group who kept the speakers on their toes with interesting questions. ". Young also told me how people would stop him in the hall to say how much they were enjoying the conference, and how much they were learning.

"Some people didn't know you could do both at the same time!" he said.

Personally, I think it was that unique combination of talented instructors, helpful volunteers, a well-run program and a friendly group of people interested in learning all they can that made the conference for me. I also don’t think it hurt that Young scheduled the conference next to a hair-care event complete with well-groomed models walking the catwalk.

But as the last remaining speakers stepped down from their respective mikes, and the first wave of attendees departed from the final sessions, it was hard not to feel a little down. Just a few hours ago I was rubbing shoulders with a group of 200 plus speakers and attendees who were doing the most amazing things with Acrobat and PDF. Now I’m sitting in a bare hotel foyer waiting for my bill to be totaled. And just as a figurative tear has almost formed in my mind’s eye, I catch sight of PDF Conference Producer Carl Young on his way out, "I’ll see you in Vegas" he said.

Oh yeah! I’d forgotten, the next PDF Conference is going be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. If I can just remember the words to that Kenny Rogers song. Something about knowing when to fold ‘em…