A message from the Chairman, Stuart Lauchlan Why is Sift Media’s Business Cloud Summit different? The agenda is devised and led by editorial professionals and analysts to ensure that the conference subject matter and discussions are in touch with the latest developments in the marketplace that meet the real world end user’s needs. This year's Practical Cloud theme mirrors and magnifies this selling point of the Business Cloud Summit. It's supported by Sift Media's various line of business online communities – HR Zone, AccountingWEB, MyCustomer.com, PublicTechnology.net, BusinessZone.co.uk as well as BusinessCloud9 – providing us with the largest audience reach of any UK Cloud Computing event. The combined audience enables us to tap into a user community with Cloud interests that no other conference organiser can boast and a range of delegates that addresses all corners of the Cloud market.We are also well supported by K2 Advisory, an ICT analyst firm with a CIO research forum of 600 Enterprise CIOs in both public & private sector. They specialise in Cloud Computing and are advising both the end user and vendor community on Cloud strategy and uptake, with direct influence with senior government officials.Our panel sessions are overwhelming end-user dominated with real world customers of Cloud Computing companies testifying to their experiences, the lessons they've learned and the benefits that they've gained. This 'word of mouth' validation of Cloud Computing products and services has been put to powerful use with organisations such as Siemens and the Royal Mail providing compelling witness to the potential of the Cloud.We do not permit sales pitches and product demos, but encourage thought leadership from the leaders in the Cloud Computing vendor community. These take the form of Q&A sessions on stage, facilitated by our expert editorial/analyst teams and are far more powerful than a traditional presentation format.The Business Cloud Summit has been able to win the support of and partner with major influential trade associations and organisations, including Intellect, Basda, the Cloud Industry Forum, EuroCloud and the Cabinet Office. Register your interest to receive news and up-dates regarding the Business Cloud Summit 2011.Follow updates on twitter at @bcsummit