Why we invest in Discovery Summits
JMP Discovery Summit series directly supports our company mission and vision. It is designed to spread the use and impact of JMP products far and wide, obviously. But it's also an important tool to champion statistical excellence and analytic-powered innovation in the science and engineering communities. And a specific benefit is that Discovery Summits provide an opportunity for JMP users to be heard via formal presentations like papers, posters, expos, roadmap sessions, and networking situations.
Specifically, every Discovery event should be designed to help us meet these corporate goals:
- Build, protect, and propel the JMP brand.
- Champion the use of analytics and shine a light on statistical excellence.
- Empower users to realize, exploit, and benefit from JMP's full potential.
- Ensure users are aware of and excited about new releases and products.
- Help users connect with and learn from JMP staff, other users, and thought leaders.
- Support JMP users who advocate for its use in their organizations.
- Solicit product feedback to ensure that JMP continues to meet the needs of our market.
- Ensure that JMP is used to teach statistics at top engineering schools; equip faculty and students so they learn and love JMP.
We do this by showcasing best practices in data exploration, by introducing people to cutting edge statistical techniques, and by inspiring people to think about analytics in newer and bigger ways.
We love sharing these messages with scientists, engineers, students, and other JMP users. This is how we help new users become good users, and good users become expert users.
And we need to share these same messages with influential JMP users...the kind of people who determine which statistical discovery software is used in their organizations and in their communities--and how that software is used as well. Ultimately, this is how we’ll spread the use and impact of JMP.
Must-have content:
- Thought-provoking plenary presentations with themes that are of interest broadly across our audience
- Papers and/or posters from scientists, engineers, and students that demonstrate real-world uses of JMP
- Papers from staff and/or partners that show new innovations in JMP as well as best practices
- Networking sessions to foster the connections that bind a community of JMP users
- Opportunities for users to ask product questions of JMP experts
- Opportunities for users to provide feedback and make requests directly – or at times indirectly – to JMP product marketing and R&D staff
- An event or session designed specifically for new users to help them connect further to JMP and to us
Intended audience:
- Scientists and engineers in our primary industries: chemical, pharmaceutical, consumer products, semiconductor
- Science and engineering professors who champion the use of JMP in their schools
- High-achieving students studying science, engineering, statistics or related topics
- People with the power to spread the use of JMP products across their organizations
- Managers and executives overseeing JMP-using teams
- Partners and other collaborators
- Key JMP prospects who would be impressed by the content and sense of community, and therefore move closer to buying
- Authors, lecturers, and other well-respected individuals and influencers who will help spread the word about JMP
Our values:
- Content that is unapologetically sophisticated and technical
- VIP attendees (judged not by title or organization, but by statistical depth and rigor)
- Investment in online production for a professional and user-friendly experience upholding the reputation that JMP people are helpful
- Investment in in-person venues and components (sets, lighting, signage, fixtures, etc.) befitting the longevity and success of JMP
What attendees have come to expect
Attendees expect to meet brilliant people with common interests. To watch papers. To participate in posters. To showcase their work; to learn from other JMP users who showcase theirs. To ask JMP experts about anything and to make development requests -- often even to get the ear of John Sall and the development team. And, when in-person, to be taken to a very special place, to be wined and dined, and entertained.
Online or in-person we also have students who expect to meet potential employers, professors who expect to make industry connections, and partners who expect to spend time with clients.
Why online content is important
Some users can’t travel to attend in-person events. And if all users could, we couldn’t host them all! Therefore, Discovery Summits in every region need to address the needs of the majority of JMP users by sharing this rich content. And the place to share it is the JMP Community.
We've also found that new JMP users can benefit greatly from an online version of the conference. It's less commitment and easier to attend, it is free, and no travel is required.
This is how we scale. And this is how we grow. Online Discovery Summits are here to stay.
The in-person experience
Even the best online events can’t replace in-person interactions. And the red-carpet experience can’t quite be duplicated online. Therefore, when we know that there is an audience, a need, budget, and an opportunity to create an experience worthy of the Discovery brand, we will host a full-blown, in-person Discovery event.
Because attendance will naturally be limited when people gather in person, strategic users should have first opportunity to register. By strategic, consider users from accounts that are poised for growth; users from big, at-risk accounts; users who need a slight push toward JMP Pro or JMP Live; users that are doing cutting-edge work and those who are using JMP to make the world better.
What planners need to know
- Timing: Duration of the event will depend on available content, audience interest, and the budget. Some will be one full day while the flagship event in the Americas will run up to four days.
- Tailoring the experience: Know your audience!
- Getting the right people: Think quality over quantity. Who do we want there? And who really, really wants to be there? Seek influential JMP enthusiasts from accounts with high growth potential. Let’s include those who have an interest in JMP Live and/or are strategic for another reason. Consider a relaxed invitation-only model.
- Components: Think of the in-person event as an opportunity to create an experience. Always include these components:
- High-level content in the way of keynotes. There should always be at least one external speaker. And the content needs to be relevant to the entire audience.
- Paper and/or poster sessions selected by a Steering Committee. Papers that show JMP in action are strongly preferred.
- Meet the Expert sessions.
- Product feedback opportunities.
- Networking opportunities.
- Food, beverage, fun.
- Feel: This is your opportunity to “wow” your users and put the JMP brand out there by creating an immersive, interactive, and caring in-person experience. Make sure everybody who attends in person feels special.
- Look: Brand, brand, brand. Use signage and accessories to make us look bigger than we are.
Who does what for each event
Each event is different. And each event takes a lot of people helping out. Here's who does what...
- Global Marketing (specifically Global Events and Production & Design) handles the bulk of the logistics and planning work: deciding on the venue, contracting with venues and paid speakers, managing the budget, planning event production, managing the Website, catering, recording, registration and billing, etc.
- Global Marketing selects and contracts external keynotes with recommendations from Field Marketing. Of course, recommendations are welcome from all JMPers and friends of JMP.
- Product Management creates opportunities for sharing new product information and receiving product feedback and suggestions.
- User Enablement oversees management of the Steering Committees, paper and poster selection, best-paper awards, post-event surveys, and getting content into Community.jmp.com.
- Corporate Communications writes messaging about the series, writes promotional pieces for Field Marketing to use, keeps the Website up to date, and handles related internal stories. They will rely on Field Marketing staff to assist with translations.
- Sales issues personal invitations to strategic users...the kind of attendees that will help move their business forward.
- Field Marketing promotes the event to area users and appropriate prospects via email, social channels, etc.
- Global Events and Production & Design run the conferences. Field Marketing staffs the events, following direction from Global Marketing. Other JMPers who support the event also follow direction from Global Marketing.
As we all know, Discovery Summits cannot be created in a vacuum, and they are bigger than any one group at JMP. In fact, we couldn't accomplish what we do without cooperation from around the globe.
Looking for more information about recruiting for the events? Check out this Discovery Cheat Sheet for Sales (and everyone else).
Very helpful to see how these wonderful events align with JMP's Goals, thank you for outlining this for us Diana!
This is a great outline and promotes consistency that align to JMP's goals and branding.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your direction.
It was the best time for us to get it from you.
Because it is a time for us to start planning DSJ 2023.
