Sydney Oracle Meetup (SOM) is an informal group to facilitate meetings between Oracle professionals in Sydney area.

Normally, we spend our days in front of a computer, we communicate via emails, blogs, tweets and god knows what other electronic methods. It's all good but hey, how nice it is to meet each other in person and have lively face to face discussion.

So what are our targets?

• Learning what's new in Oracle technology
  
• Sharing exciting projects and findings with other Oracle professionals
  
• Find solutions and suggestions on the challenges with Oracle technologies
  
• Meet and chat about anything else related to Oracle in some way
  

We are actively looking for a new presenters and Oracle experts who are willing to contribute to Oracle community. If you an active person and like that you are doing with Oracle technology, come and present during our events.

The following are some guidelines regarding presentation and topic formats. Adherence to these guidelines is not mandatory but preferred to maintain the spirit in which this group was created.

Presentations should last approximately 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. After an hour or so a 5 minute bio break is recommended so that the audience can absorb the material thus far. Interactive sessions are encouraged. A presentation followed by Q&A period is also acceptable and left at the discretion of the presenter.

As this is a professional community group, presentations structured solely as a sales pitch will not be accepted. Their purpose is to deliver knowledge, expertise and experiences for evaluation and direct application by the audience. Presenters will have the opportunity to introduce their professional affiliations, but should not directly solicit sales. The audience will choose whether or not to follow up with the speaker at a later time. General marketing materials may be made available to the attendees for pick up as desired.

At no time should any presenter denigrate competition, their product, or services. This is a friendly forum, and although differences may be outlined and depicted, no presenter is to disparage any other party.

Presenters should identify equipment needs in advance, e.g. overhead projector, flip chart, martinis, etc., which we will provide to the best of our ability. If a laptop is needed, presenters should specify this and bring a copy of the presentation in a CD or USB stick. Room layout is limited and dependent on the room we are allocated on the day. Presenters may request a particular room layout, which we will accommodate where possible to the best of our ability.

Nibbles and drinks are currently provided by the SOM sponsors