The lovely thing about the EuroSTAR conference is that it is
planned by testers, for testers. Many first time attendees are
there because others in the testing community have recommended the
conference as a place for meeting other like-minded testers (some
of whom will have the same difficulties that you face, whilst
others have some answers to the self-same difficulties).
Whilst enthusiastically recommending the EuroSTAR conference
comes naturally to many, it is the 'job description' of EuroSTAR
Ambassadors. The team are looking for a diverse range of people who
will impart their EuroSTAR knowledge and wisdom, discussing its
merits to colleagues, and gatherings of testers in their own
country. The application process for Online and Country Ambassadors
is now open, and closes on Friday, February 17th. Further details
can be found on the EuroSTAR
website, whilst applications should be made to Emer in the
EuroSTAR offices - emer@eurostarconferences.com.
The EuroSTAR team will provide Ambassadors with milestones and
guidance for their year as an Ambassador. For those chosen to be
Ambassadors, there is the satisfaction of helping the European and
global testing family, as well as involvement with the conference
itself and an increase in their profiles as testers. Ambassadors
are also awarded a free conference place at EuroSTAR.
Ambassadors can spread the message about EuroSTAR by attending
testing conferences, using their own contacts (and possibly
Linked-In, Facebook and Twitter) and in many other innovative ways.
An applicant must have been to a EuroSTAR conference (preferably at
least one in the last 2 years), and be ready for the challenge. It
is 'our' conference, and the more people that attend, the more the
testing drum will be banged in the business world..
The role of EuroSTAR Ambassador has been in existence for a
number of years, although it has changed over time. One of the most
prominent people who have fulfilled the role is the late (and
lamented) Brett Gonzales. As he has worked in most of the countries
of Europe, Brett has been Country Ambassador many times, for many
countries (frequently Ambassador for a number of countries for the
same year). He even organised a meal for Country Ambassadors at one
of the Stockholm conferences (I forget which one of the three
occasions the conference was in the Swedish capital it was). At the
dinner, sixteen Ambassadors attended, all of which were Brett!!!
Never daunted by a challenge, Brett managed to eat all sixteen main
courses, but could only manage twelve puddings!
Oh Brett, you are gone but not forgotten! The mark you made on
the testing world has inspired, inspires and will continue to
inspire testing excellence in us all.