Here, on Wednesday morning, is usually reserved for training sessions, but this year we’re trying something new, repeating some of the most popular sessions and introducing “Immersions”, some really deep dives into some of the Manhattan solutions. More than 350 people have signed up for these sessions, really making yesterday afternoon NOT the closing session in reality, as this morning people were just as upbeat and ready to learn and network as they were yesterday. You might think these folks have had enough but not from the smiles on their faces.

Other than the record breaking 350 people signed up for this morning, here are a few more facts for you:

120 people representing 28 partner companies are here

120 breakout sessions

Overall attendance is up 15% from last year

More press coverage than ever before (not including this blog)

So, as we prepare to say farewell to Orlando, as successful as this year’s Momentum has been, something tells me next year’s Momentum in Las Vegas will be even bigger. It’s not too early to start making your plans for 2013 in Vegas, baby!  See you there!

Tuesday afternoon and there is quiet in the hallways as the hotel staff silently and very efficiently moves around setting up a cocktail reception in the Discovery Center to begin as soon as Howie Mandel finishes his performance in the main ballroom. I can hear laughter breaking out inside as Howie cracks up the huge crowd again and again. Finally, Pete Sinisgalli thanks the crowd and teases about next year’s Momentum in Las Vegas (lucky 13?), then the doors burst open and the crowd swarms into the Discovery Center where cocktails and even more delicious finger food is waiting.  There is very pleasant vibe in the hallways, relaxed and upbeat, sort of like the way you feel after an excellent meal. There is no question that Momentum is a truly active event, not some sit back and see what happens like of thing. People are exhausted in a good way.

I meet Gary Hughes from Fruit of the Loom.  He’s a first timer and says he had no expectations but enjoyed all of it. “I learned a lot. We have Warehouse Management, Labor Management and Slotting. We wanted to talk to people who use those solutions and we learned a lot.  We also came for Vocollect because our next move is voice picking.”

Jerry McNalley, with Inmar, a very diverse supply chain company, told me he was here for the networking. “We have been on ILS 2009 and are migrating to SCALE. We wanted to come here and have some face-to-face conversations with other SCALE users and make new contacts. That’s been very good. Later we’re going to the SCALE reception and we’re really looking forward to it.”