Monage, San Jose - Quick Thoughts and Pix

Just sharing some quick thoughts and photos from the first two days of Monage, here in San Jose. Time is running short, and my session is in an hour. Got LOTS to say, but it will have to wait til after the event, although I've been tweeting a fair bit - #Monage.

In short, Jeff has delivered a great program as usual, with a wonderful diversity of speakers and perspectives on where things are going with chatbots, AI and messaging. It's mostly a consumer story, and in our session, we'll be giving the enterprise version of things. Check back with me in a day or so, and I'll have something more coherent to say - ears still ringing from the Herding Cats party last night.  :-)

Jeff Pulver and his welcome comments

Jeff Pulver and his welcome comments

Oisin Lunny of OpenMarket, talking about mobile engagement trends

Oisin Lunny of OpenMarket, talking about mobile engagement trends

Amir Shevat from Slack, talking about how bots are used in the enterprise

Amir Shevat from Slack, talking about how bots are used in the enterprise

Regulatory panel - so, why is Jeff smiling? What's Jeff thinking? Guess I caught the moment, here, huh? Perfect for a meme!

Regulatory panel - so, why is Jeff smiling? What's Jeff thinking? Guess I caught the moment, here, huh? Perfect for a meme!

chris fine leading the millennials panel - very interesting, wish my kids were up there too! Photo courtesy of Mike Jablon.

chris fine leading the millennials panel - very interesting, wish my kids were up there too! Photo courtesy of Mike Jablon.

NFV and hosted comms panel, moderated by Mike Jablon, including RingCentral, 8x8 and the Infield Group

NFV and hosted comms panel, moderated by Mike Jablon, including RingCentral, 8x8 and the Infield Group

Expo Hall - it's small, but engaging. Well, VON started small too.

Expo Hall - it's small, but engaging. Well, VON started small too.

Johnny Digzz holding court - just press go and away he goes - great stories and tech perspectives

Johnny Digzz holding court - just press go and away he goes - great stories and tech perspectives

jon and jeff! Photo courtesy of Uncle Jerry.  :-)

jon and jeff! Photo courtesy of Uncle Jerry.  :-)

Night time is the right to get out and have some fun - that what happens when the herding cats play - still sounding great!

Night time is the right to get out and have some fun - that what happens when the herding cats play - still sounding great!

  As good as it looks, and a local landmark for sure. ok, time to take a walk...

  As good as it looks, and a local landmark for sure. ok, time to take a walk...

A few blocks south - not everyone can afford to eat at Joe's,  and they'll go to Trine's instead. Not everyone in San Jose is a tech millionaire. or will be part of the bot economy. be thankful for what you have!

A few blocks south - not everyone can afford to eat at Joe's,  and they'll go to Trine's instead. Not everyone in San Jose is a tech millionaire. or will be part of the bot economy. be thankful for what you have!

If Trine's is too busy, go a little further south to the Burger Bar - the price sure is right!

If Trine's is too busy, go a little further south to the Burger Bar - the price sure is right!

Think I walked a bit too far - better keep going - not quite feeling it for this spot.

Think I walked a bit too far - better keep going - not quite feeling it for this spot.