From The Chair - 

Annual Review

Our industry is one that moves forward at a fast pace - our sights are mostly firmly set on the future and the ‘next big thing’. Amidst this pace though it is useful, occasionally, to slow down and look at what we have achieved. Just like an annual review for staff, the Annual General Meeting of the User Group is a chance to reflect on the last 12 months.

This was the case at the HPUG AGM on 28 April. Reviewing the year, the first major achievement to note is that we have remained viable in increasingly difficult and challenging times. As your companies demand ever better value for money for their expenditure, it is important that the services we offer - principally our events and E-Ping - meet and exceed your requirements. Attendance figures and web hits tell us that this is the case.

Changing times also see changes in personnel. After many successful years Gerald Hackemer has handed over the reins of event management to Dave Holt (welcome Dave). I am delighted though that Gerald has agreed to retain his links with the User Group by becoming Company Secretary. His unique and energetic style certainly keeps us all on our toes where the operation of the company is concerned.

And after long years of dedicated service Steve Reece is leaving us to emigrate to Australia. Steve is one of those rare people who knows ‘everything’ about his specialist area - if you have a VMS query Steve is your man. His expertise will be a great loss to HPUG, although of course these days Australia is only an email or Skype call away. I expect we haven’t heard the last of Steve. We all wish him the best of luck in this new chapter of his life.

To the other directors of HPUG, to the management group, and to the staff I’d like to say a very big thank you for steering us through another year. As Steve leaves, Mark Nelson steps forward to join the management group and to give us a valuable new perspective on our activities.

People sometimes question if there is still a role for a vendor specific user group in a heterogeneous, internet era. My answer is definitely yes. The quantity of information now available is no substitute for quality. HPUG filters the vast amounts of data out there to deliver to you relevant data from experts who really know their area. Our guiding principle is that the information we provide to you is not waffle and not marketing information - just the technical facts. Your ongoing support suggests we are getting this right.

So, a successful year behind us, it is time once again to look to the future and to what I predict will be another challenging but successful year. We look forward to exciting times ahead and thank you for your support.

Mail me at chair@hpug.org.uk with any comments you may have.

John Owen
hpUG Chairman