As this site is a companion blog to the FASTforward conference series, I want to take a moment to share our excitement with you about the upcoming FASTforward’09 global conference and how it could benefit you and your organization.

As the User Revolution rages on, its impact is being felt not only by newly empowered users but by businesses struggling to respond. We see Enterprise Search as a key technology in harnessing the power of the User Revolution through rich, new user experiences that drive online business and enterprise productivity.

FASTforward’09 will explore how leading-edge companies use search and related technologies to engage people in interactive experiences and connect them to information. The event provides a much-needed forum to discuss best practices for developing and implementing search solutions that allow people to create content, consume information, and collaborate with each other in innovative new ways. We’ll kick off the conference with a discussion of the latest Web 2.0 trends and then spend two days talking about what it all means for you and your business. A strong line-up of guest speakers, Microsoft executives, and customer presentations will make this a event you won’t want to miss.

Commenting on her experience at the conference last year, Krista Thomas—VP of Marketing and Communications at Thomson Reuters—had this to say: “FASTforward is the best ‘user-conference’ I have ever experienced. Given the quality of the speakers and content and the thought-leadership of your executives and clients, the event amounts to a meeting of the best minds in search and content technologies.”

Speakers for FASTforward’09 include:

• Charlene Li – Independent Analyst on Emerging Technologies, co-author of Groundswell. “Groundswell provides practical advice on how to stay nimble and flexible in an ever-morphing digital world. Enabling your company to respond to change quickly especially when talking to and supporting your consumers is essential for business success.” – Cathie Black, President, Hearst Magazines
• Clay Shirky – Author, Consultant, Professor. His new book, Here Comes Everybody, explores the effects of open networks, collaboration, and user-created and disseminated content on organizations and industries. “In story after story, Clay masterfully makes the connections as to why business, society and our lives continue to be transformed by a world of net-enabled social tools. His pattern-matching skills are second to none.” – Ray Ozzie, Microsoft Chief Software Architect
• Don Tapscott – Internationally renowned authority on the strategic value and impact of information technol­ogy and chairman of nGenera Innovation Network. “Don Tapscott provides an exciting roadmap to surviving and thriving in the Connected Era.” – Michael S. Dell, Chairman And CEO, Dell

Discover for yourself why FASTforward has become the largest global business and technology conference dedicated to search-driven innovation! Visit the FASTforward’09 event site for more details and to register – and register by January 9th and save $400.