China Users' Conference gets underway in Shanghai.

Since the SirsiDynix merger was completed last August 2005, SirsiDynix management recognized that keeping our customers informed and engaged with us was critical for the company’s success, as well as for the success of our customers who rely on us for strategic technology solutions. That’s why regular communications like the SirsiDynix OneSource newsletter and, particularly, face-to-face customer events like CODI and SuperConference are so important.

Unfortunately, most of the larger customer meetings take place in the United States and are typically attended by U.S., Canadian, and a few non-North Americans.

SirsiDynix executives at Paris meeting (From left to right, Thomas Gates, Stephen Abram, Steven Nielsen, Patrick Sommers, Peter Gethin)

That’s why we made plans in the fall of 2005 to organize the “SirsiDynix Executive Roadshow.” We believed that it was important to make a special effort to meet with our customers outside North America… to hear what they have to say and for them to hear what we have to say about the new SirsiDynix, our plans for new and enhanced products and services, and our vision for the future.

On April 12, a team of corporate executives completed an 18-day round-the-world tour to visit our customers. Led by CEO Patrick Sommers, the team met with hundreds of SirsiDynix customers from throughout Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Beginning on March 27, the SirsiDynix team gave two-day presentations in Birmingham (England), Paris, Shanghai, and Melbourne; one-day presentations were given in Taipei and Hong Kong.

Lamar Jackson chats with SirsiDynix customer Stephen Harrison.

The presentations consisted of a corporate overview by Pat Sommers; regional updates and overviews by Peter Gethin, managing director, SirsiDynix Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and Lamar Jackson, vice president, SirsiDynix Asia-Pacific; updates on new and enhanced products and services by Steven Nielsen, senior vice president, product management; and presentations on trends and dynamics influencing the worldwide library community by Stephen Abram, vice president, innovation.

It is always important for our customers to know where we are now, where we’re headed, and what our thinking is. We hope that’s exactly what we accomplished during our international tour.