Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Java Symposium?

TheServerSide Java Symposium is a community-created and community-driven enterprise Java event.  Developed by the minds behind TheServerSide.com, the Web's largest enterprise Java community, TSSJS is an intensive educational experience that will catch you up on essential development technologies, give you expert insight into today's most relevant frameworks, and teach you practical, real world ways to architect, develop, and maintain effective Java-based applications and systems. 

Focused on giving you practical skills and tools you can immediately apply to your projects - TSSJS is where you go to update your skill-set, get solutions to your everyday development issues, and prepare your skills and résumé for the future of development. 

Register now for TSSJS.

When is the Java Symposium?
The 7th Annual Java Symposium is being held March 26-28, 2008 in Las Vegas.

Where is it being held?
TSSJS is being held at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Hotel information and room rate information is available here.

Who will be speaking?
The line-up at TSSJS is comprised of the biggest names in the Java community. TSSJS brings more than just authors, founders, and community definers together: You'll hear from the wave of the future and from those who will influence the way we will develop enterprise applications tomorrow. Find out who's presenting at TSSJS.

What does it cost?
Register before our Super Early Bird deadline (January 25) and registration is $1395, register before our Early Bird deadline (February 22) and registration is $1595. The registration fees increase after the Early Bird deadline to $1,695. Register now! Have you attended TSSJS before? Are you a student? You might be eligible for a discount: Find out!

What do I get for my money?
In addition to 8 tracks of specialized content, networking, collaboration opportunities, and the chance to learn from dozens of industry leaders, your registration fee includes Fireside Chats and breakfast and lunch each day.

What forms of payment does TSSJS accept?
You can pay by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Check, or Wire/Bank Transfer. If you select to pay by Check or Wire/Bank Transfer, payment is due within 30 days of registration and must be received by March 25, 2008. Please contact Tracey West for Wire/Bank Transfer details. If sending a Purchase Order, please select Pay by Check and fax/email a copy of your Purchase Order to Ashley Graham. Email agraham@techtarget.com or fax: Attn: Ashley Graham, to 781-657-1000.

When do I have to register?
We recommend that you register before January 25 to lock in the lowest price. However, you can register up to the first day of the conference. Register now!

How do I register?
You can register for TSSJS by going to our registration page and following the instructions from there.

How do I make changes to my registration?
You can login and make changes to your registration through the registration page. Use your login (email address) and password that was created while registering. For any additional registration questions, please contact Tracey West.

How do I get a receipt and confirmation after registering?
When registering online you will have the opportunity to print confirmation of your registration. You will also receive a confirmation email with registration details and payment information.

What kind of Java professionals attend the Java Symposium?
Anyone and everyone involved in the architecture, development and deployment of Java-enabled applications for the Enterprise will benefit from attending the Java Symposium. Last year, over 500 Java professionals convened, representing every career stage, from newbie to seasoned professional.

Why should I attend?
You need real skills that will help you deal with today's real development challenges. TSSJS gives development teams, and their managers, those skills - Practical ways (and code demonstrations!) to deal with new languages, emerging security threats, increasing performance demands and shifting data requirements.

TheServerSide Java Symposium is:

  • Independent & Secular: TSSJS is the only Java conference that offers a secular take on the key Java topics - With absolutely no vendor or open source project bias. Created by TheServerSide.com, TSSJS has no hidden agenda - Just a commitment to providing well-rounded, useful information so you can evaluate your choices in a realistic way, and make the decision that works best for your organization, your projects and your career.
  • Enterprise Java-focused: TSSJS has a targeted focus on enterprise Java - allowing us to offer in-depth information from all angles on the topics that matter most to you. Don't be fooled by padded agendas full of information you don't need. 
  • Intimate learning environment: At TSSJS, you won't be herded like cattle from session to session - You can attend each and every session you're interested in (Without waiting in line!). TSSJS also has an attendee to speaker ratio of 9:1, meaning you have real opportunities to interact with the industry luminaries you're here to see.

How can I convince my boss that I should attend the Java Symposium?
Here are some great reasons to share with your boss to convince him/her that the Java Symposium is a smart investment:

  • Costing nearly 50% less than other industry conferences, and offering a speaker to attendee ratio of 1:9 and over 60 sessions, panels and keynotes, TSSJS is by far the best value for your money. 
  • TSSJS is the first enterprise Java conference of the year - It's your best chance to get your development queue on track, and keep it that way.
  • TSSJS is the only conference that offers a secular take on the key Java topics - With no vendor or open source bias. TSSJS aims to give attendees well-rounded, in-depth information, so they can evaluate open source and vendor solutions in a practical way, and make an informed decision that works for their projects.
  • TSSJS is the only Java conference exclusively focused on the enterprise. We don't pad our agenda with information you don't need - Each session has been handpicked by the editorial staff of TheServerSide.com to provide valuable, useful information to enterprise Java developers and their teams.
  • TSSJS has conference speakers who are the absolute top experts this industry has to offer. Pick the brain of the Java community's foremost experts - With a speaker to attendee ratio of 1:9, at TSSJS you have real opportunities to interact with the speakers you're there to see. Get answers to your specific questions and exclusive insight into the roadmaps of the technologies you use everyday.
  • You're not worried about where the industry will be in 10 years, and you don't need a high-level academic explanation on the state of the market - You need real skills that will help you deal with today's real development challenges. TSSJS gives development teams, and their managers, those skills - Practical ways (and code demonstrations!) to deal with new languages, emerging security threats, increasing performance demands and shifting data requirements.
  • Education helps project managers cope with today's IT realities: smaller budgets, fewer developers and looming deadlines. Attending TSSJS is the most cost-effective way to obtain education, rather than spending months reading books and articles, or browsing websites.
  • Investing in employees' education is the best way to reward top employees, keep morale high, and show that the company is committed to people's growth.

For more reasons to attend, visit the Top 10 Reasons to Attend.

What are Fireside Chats?
Fireside Chats, (formerly called Birds of a Feather sessions (BOFs)), are small, intimate and informal sessions that discuss interests of the Java community. There will be 10 Fireside Chats at TSSJS. There are no slides allowed at FireSide Chats, only discussion! If you have a topic you would particularly like to discuss, please keep it in mind for Fireside Chats at TSSJS. Check out our Fireside Chat topics.

What do I do about a hotel?
The Venetian is offering discounted rates for Java Symposium attendees for reservations booked by March 10, 2008. Call the hotel directly at 877-283-6423, and make sure to mention your attendance to TheServerSide Java Symposium. The rates are as follows:

Suite: $249/night + 9% tax  

Visit the Hotel & Travel information page for more details or contact Jamie Zolli if you have any questions regarding hotel accomodations.

What if I have to cancel?
Cancellation requests can be made by updating your registration profile. Registrations cancelled PRIOR to February 22, 2008 are entitled to a full refund. Requests received between February 23, 2008 and March 25, 2008 will be returned 25% of the paid registration fee. No cancellation requests will be accepted after March 25, 2008. Substitutions are allowed with written permission from the original registrant.

Are there any discounts available?

  • Yes! Have you attended TSSJS in the past? Please contact Tracey West for your past attendee code.
  • Group Registration Rebate: Companies sending 5 employees can receive a $500 rebate, while companies sending 10 or more employees can receive a $2,000 rebate. Requests for rebates must be received VIA EMAIL by March 31, 2008, to Tracey West. Rebates will be mailed on or before June 2, 2008.
  • Refer-a-Friend Reward: Refer a friend or colleague to the Java Symposium and receive a $50 gift. All registrants will receive an email that outlines the Refer-a-Friend program details and includes a special referral code to give to friends and colleagues. Credit can only be given to referrals that result in registration and cannot be applied to anyone already registered. This offer cannot be combined with any discounts, and cannot be combined with the Group Registration Rebate. Payment will be made via Paypal by April 28, 2008.
  • University Discount: With proper ID, university students, faculty and staff members are eligible for a discount – contact Tracey West for more information.

Please note: These offers may not be combined.

What is TheServerSide.com?
TheServerSide.com is a community-driven, dynamic resource for enterprise Java architects and developers. The site provides daily news, Tech Talk interviews with key industry figures, design patterns, discussion forums, satire, tutorials, and more. While others sites report on topics after they become hot, our community is a place where innovations in technology are first revealed and discussed, often years before traditional media catches on. TheServerSide.com doesn’t just serve enterprise Java professionals, it’s a significant contributor to the evolution of enterprise Java itself. Visit www.TheServerSide.com today. Membership is free!

Does TheServerSide.com hold other events?
Yes, TheServerSide.com holds TSSJS-Europe. Last year's event was held in Barcelona. You can visit the TSSJS-Europe page for more information. Remember, you can receive updates and alerts on the Java Symposiums, and other conferences and events held by TheServerSide.com by signing up for our Events Alert - Visit the Home Page and input your email address in the blue Events Alert box. A sister event of TSSJS is The Ajax Experience, the only Web 2.0 event created by developers. Visit The Ajax Experience or email Tracey West for more information about TAE 2008, which is scheduled to be late Septemeber/early October.

Who can I contact if I have questions about TSSJS?

Mailing Address
TheServerSide Java Symposium
c/o TechTarget
117 Kendrick Street, Suite 800
Needham, MA 02494 USA