Back home from another brilliant trip to Sydney and another superb conference. Thanks to Maxine, John, the speakers, volunteers and the delegates Web Directions South 2006 was a resounding success.

Having had the pleasure of attending Web Essentials ’05, then New Zealand’s very own Webstock and now WD06 in quick succession I feel very privileged (although I’m beginning to suspect I’m guilty of having become something of a conference junkie).

It would be folly to compare the three directly as they represent different snapshots of “Web-time” and of my perspective of both the Web and of what makes a conference. All were amazing in their own way:

At WE05 I had the joy of hearing and meeting some of my heroes of the Internet and for the excitement attending my first conference in ten years – the first since Mosaic was the browser of choice, in fact.

Webstock was magic, as much for it being homegrown and well done as for the very fine company I was able to keep during the event. For a first attempt Webstock was a triumph with a broad programme and high production values.

Coming into WD06 I was concerned that I’d be more that a little blasé about the subject matter and the whole conference “thing”. I needn’t have worried. Every session provided more insight into our industry and I left me with a distinct feeling that we’re part of a very special group of people with, not only, the potential to change the way the world lives and interacts but who are actually active in bringing about that change.

This year I felt I made much better use of the opportunities to meet and interact with the other delegates and the fine group of speakers. I was particularly keen to introduce myself to Andy Clarke, Jeremy Keith and Molly Holzschlag all of whose Web sites I’ve followed for many years. It was also a chance to renew acquaintances, put faces to the names I’d seen on mailing lists and flickr posts and be introduced to new friends. I can’t think of a finer group of people. Those involved with the Web seem to be unfailingly generous with their ideas, their time and their friendship.

Now, who do I need to convince (apart from my bank manager) that I need to make the trip to Vancouver in February?…