A few weeks ago, the registration website for Solver’s Customer and Partner Conference, Focus 2016 launched. This year the event, to be held August 22-25, 2016, will take place in a new location: the classically beautiful Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA.
The new conference location is just a precursor to Solver’s plans to include other new elements in their event program. In fact, many of these enhancements come from suggestions Solver’s Partners and Customers have made. So thanks to many of you for helping Solver build a better event. My name is Karen Barak. I’m a marketing and events consultant extraordinaire with a passion for excellence and exceeding expectations. Read this and future BI360 Focus 2016 blogposts to discover what’s new and what’s exciting at this year’s ultimate Customer and Partner conference on BI360.

New Location
If you are unfamiliar with La Jolla’s Hilton, then read on. This location boasts not only beautiful Southern California weather and close proximity to the coast, but it is right next to the world-class Torrey Pines Golf Course—a regular destination on the PGA tour, and once the host for the U.S. Open in 2008. Golf enthusiasts might want to take some extra time to get a round in, or participate in the Driving Range activity Solver is holding during the conference.
Other activities on the property or within walking distance include: tennis courts, a pool, a small on-site spa, and a fitness facility, various hiking trails in the Torrey Pines State Reserve, access to the Torrey Pines State Beach, and Torrey Pines Gliderport. But more of what to do in San Diego in future posts.
New Training
As an added feature to the conference, Solver has extended the event by one day to include hands-on, two-day intensive training opportunities. BI360 customers and partners can gain in-depth training just like they would receive during Solver’s BI360 Training Tours. The best part though is that participants can experience the training two days prior to the conference on August 22 and 23, and then join the rest of the conference attendees for more information-sharing sessions during the Customer Conference on August 24 and 25.
Solver is offering two tracks for training: one for beginners and the other for advanced users. Take a look at the curriculum for each:
Beginners Training: Introductions to Report Composer; Report Composer and Report Designer; Reporting; More Reporting, Data Warehouse or Report Publisher; and Portal Administration and End User Usage.
Advanced Training: GL Configuration; GL Budgeting Exercises; Capital and Web Budgeting Configurations; and Consolidations.
Each track will, of course, be completely hands-on. Participants will begin their day at 7:30 with a light breakfast, and continue with a boxed lunch, in addition to morning and afternoon breaks. The day ends at 5:30 pm, in plenty of time to enjoy your evening exploring San Diego, or in getting to know fellow BI360 users.
Interest in these La Jolla training workshops has been high. In fact, Solver has expanded the number of seats available per track to allow for up to 25 participants in each.
Registration for these workshops can be made through the BI360 Focus 2016 website. A variety of savings opportunities are available, including workshop and conference bundles; multiple attendee discounts; and Early Bird pricing.
Look for more postings on what else you can experience at BI360 Focus 2016 in the months to come.  If you have any questions about BI360 Focus 2016, please contact [email protected].