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3 Bonus Sessions
Speaking 101: Tips and Tricks Lee Copeland
Tuesday 4:45pm-5:45pm
Are you a new STAR speaker, or aspiring to be one in the future?
Join us at this workshop on making effective conference presentations. Learn the
secrets of developing content, identifying the Big Message, preparing slides with
just the right words and images, presenting your message, handling questions from
the audience, and being ready when things go wrong. Lee Copeland, a professional
speaker since birth, shares ideas that will help you be a better speaker, no matter
what the occasion.
SOAP BOX John Engle
Thursday 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Soap box (noun): an improvised platform, as one on a
street, from which a speaker delivers an informal speech, an appeal, or harangue.
Get on your soap box and say what needs to be said. Come to listen or come to speak!
This is your chance to talk for three minutes about a topic that’s frustrating
you or that you’re excited about. There’s no need to submit your subjects
in advance. It’s all impromptu. We’ll set the stage and provide the
box to stand on. You come with your message and ready ears to listen to others.
Software Testing and Quality Improvement – the Current
State of the Practice Ross Collard
Thursday 5:30-6:30pm
There’s a great deal of buzz about the future of software
testing and quality. It is natural to speculate about innovations, trends and blind
alleys – realistically, what works and what does not. Before we can understand
where we are likely to be going or where we want to be, it helps to have a realistic
sense of where we are today. This facilitated bonus session will be a hearty and
illuminating exchange of ideas.
Post-Conference Workshop
Friday, May 9 – 1:15-3:15 PM
Getting things done - Putting the Lessons of STAREAST
2008 to work Rob Sabourin with so many presentations and so much to offer,
STAREAST 2008 is committed to helping you put new information and techniques
into practice. Stay after the conference concludes for a facilitated workshop to
help you integrate ideas and organize a plan of action. Participants' input will
define the issues and agenda topics.
Vegas Casino Night
Wednesday, May 7, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Try your hand at all your favorite Vegas games at Vegas
Casino Night! Whether you’re a seasoned card shark, or someone who’s
always wanted to play, all bets are on for a fantastic high-energy evening. At the
end of the night, take your earnings and exchange them for tickets that can be used
for chances to win great prizes!
OPEN SPACE
Thursday and Friday, May 8-9
Want to discuss a topic in greater depth? Examine a topic that
is not on the program? Meet with others who are also interested? Great! You’re
looking for Open Space. We supply an open space—a room, tables, chairs, and
flipcharts . . . you supply the ideas and the leadership. Choose a topic you’d
like to discuss, pick a timeslot, promote your topic at the conference, enroll others,
and have an Open Space discussion. At Open Space meetings, whoever attends is the
right person; whenever it starts is the right time; when it is over, it is over;
if you find yourself in a situation where you aren’t learning or contributing,
go somewhere else.
Thursday, May 8, 9:45 a.m.
Lightning Talks are five-minute
talks during a concurrent session timeslot. Lightning Talks represent a much smaller
investment of time than track speaking and offer the chance to try out conference
speaking without the heavy commitment. Use this as an opportunity to give a talk
for the first time—or the first time on a new topic.
Certification Exam and Information Session
As an experienced software testing professional and a participant
in STAREAST, you have the opportunity to take the ISTQB™ Certified
Tester—Foundation level exam facilitated by the American Software Testing
Qualifications Board (ASTQB). To pre-register for the exam or to download the syllabus,
visit the American software Testing Qualifications Board site. The examination will
be held on site Thursday, May 8, at 5:30 p.m. The cost for the exam is $250. Not
sure if you are ready? There will be a free information session to introduce you
to the certification program and examination on Monday, May 5, at 5:00 p.m.
Meet the Speakers
Thursday during Lunch
Meet with industry experts for an open discussion
in key areas of software testing technology. Pose your toughest questions, address
specific project needs, gather details on the latest research and cutting-edge testing
practices, or just come by to say hello.
StickyMinds.com testing Challenge
Take the Challenge in the EXPO on Wednesday
and Thursday
StickyMinds.com invites you to try out your testing skills
at the Testing Challenge during EXPO hours. How do you rank against fellow testers?
Bookstore and Speaker Book Signings
During EXPO hours, purchase popular industry books—many
authored by STAREAST speakers—from BreakPoint Books. Authors
are available for questions and book signings during session breaks and EXPO hours.
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