http://hdiconnect.leveragesoftware.com/mypage.aspx
Use the link above if you have already been invited to join HDI Connect and have created your User Name and Password. (Please note: HDI Connects is only available to registered attendees, speakers and exhibitors of the HDI 2006 Conference & Expo).

HDI 2006 GETS CONNECTED

WITH HDICONNECT – BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER, THE CONFERENCE

As an HDI 2006 registered conference attendee, you are among a diverse group of service and support professionals who will be attending the HDI Annual Conference and Expo – the definitive gathering for the service and support profession. Attending the 2006 conference is no longer a once a year experience. You can now connect with your colleagues and conference faculty year-round with an exciting on-line tool: HDIConnect.

WHAT IS HDICONNECT?
HDIConnect is a virtual community where you find people who share your same issues, come from similar support environments – large, small, global; work in the same industry, share geographical region, and more. Think of it as the matchmaker for conference and professional networking.

HDIConnect is a new way to expand your professional network, learn best-practices, prepare for the conference, set up meetings at the conference or follow-up with faculty after the event. This is a FREE service for HDI faculty, conference attendees, conference exhibitors, and HDI members.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

• Contact conference faculty before the conference to help you determine which session is right for you.
• Set up meetings with exhibitors.
• Identify colleagues struggling with similar issues and plan to meet at the conference.
• Network with other conference participants before the conference.
• Build on relationships after the conference.

GETTING STARTED
You are already registered for the HDI 2006 conference, and therefore you are authorized to use HDIConnect. You will receive an email message shortly directly from HDIConnect, hosted by Leverage Software, inviting you to set up your unique password and HDIConnect profile. The email includes a link directly into HDIConnect.

Please help us jump-start the networking and set up your profile as soon as you receive your invitation. It will take you less than 5 minutes to set up your profile. It’s a simple and intuitive interface.

Then, create your own Group to start discussions about your most burning issues—or check out other groups that may have already formed. Very simple instructions on how to do this are attached. Plan to check in on your discussion group at least once a week to see what people are discussing and to add your remarks. You automatically receive email messages for HDIConnect when someone asks you a question or requests a meeting.

USING HDICONNECT
We encourage you to join in several areas of discussion and share your perspective on that topic, drawing from your unique expertise.

• Match your background and needs with people like you who will be attending HDI 2006.
• Discuss ideas of common interest.
• Start a dialogue about the challenges you face in your job.
• Create chat tables for breakfast discussions while you are at the event.
• Set up appointments with faculty members, attendees, and vendors.

• Meet attendees and faculty you’ve “met” online face-to-face in sessions and at all of the networking activities.

• Follow-up after the event with faculty and attendees of sessions you attended, as well as those you wish you had attended. Ask questions. Share ideas.
• Share your experiences implementing strategies you learned at the conference.

• Focus on issues and solutions
• Share and debate ideas with NO sales pitches
• Create value – no self-serving promotion
• Post content-rich white papers, templates, helpful hints, samples worksheets, or other tools that will add value

Use the simple instructions attached to set up your profile. Thanks for playing. Let’s get connected!

TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED WITH HDICONNECT

ONCE YOU ARE ONLINE:

Step 1: Update My Profile
Think - "How would I like to be found by other attendees?"

Step 2: Update My Interests
Think - "Who would I most like to meet through HDIConnect and at the event?"

Step 3: Begin to search, view matches, and connect!
The environment is quite intuitive, so go exploring.

"By Role or Company" - Find Attendees by searching on any combination of roles or interests they have selected

"People Map" - Find your most relevant matches visually
Place mouse over people icons, for more information about that person. Click on "View Profile" link to view any resources they may have added or to request a meeting or introduction. Filter View = Change attributes to narrow your search.

Step 4: Enrich your experience with these additional tips:

"My Groups" - Discussion Groups
Join existing groups, including HDI Faculty, and create your own group to start discussions about your burning issues.

Update "My Portfolio" and "My Photo" (optional)
Personalize your profile with a picture, or company logo. Add white papers, resources, tools, company information, or other value-added content.