The Orange Partner Camp, Florida 2006 promises to be one of the most intense and rewarding mobile developer experiences in the US this year. Richard Bloor caught up with Steve Glagow to find out more about this unique event and why it is a must attend for Symbian OS developers in the US.

For US based developers, Europe offers a significant market for applications and content. Accessing this market can present challenges. As with so much in business, getting face to face with the decision makers can be the key to making that sale. Without hopping the pond this can be hard and once in Europe lining the contacts efficiently near impossible. Orange Partner Camp eliminates all these issues for $395 and the price of an internal flight.

The Orange Partner Camp, Florida 2006 is the fourth event of its type and the second in the US. It offers mobile developers the chance to get up to speed with the latest technologies, as well as gain a deeper understanding of how to make mobile applications and content a commercial success with Orange.

"Perhaps the biggest change at this year's Partner Camp is that we will be gathering together product managers from all Orange's locations," says Steve Glagow, Director of Orange Partner. "This is unprecedented within the US, in fact it's something that only Orange does. Over two and a half days, mobile developers can find out what Orange country managers are looking for and in return explain to them in a relaxed environment what they, as a developer, have to offer."

However, access to Orange's decision makers is only part of the Partner Camp networking story. "It's a unique opportunity for all of Orange's partners to meet," says Steve. "For example we have sessions from Warner Bros and several of our other content partners are attending."

It is these networking opportunities that mean over half the attendee at Partner Camp are involved in business development. However, this opportunity to meet the key people across the entire mobile value chain makes the event equally valuable to those with a technical focus.

This year's event, while retaining a multi platform approach, offers US based developers one of the best opportunities to get up close and personal with the latest Symbian technologies, with sessions on developing for UIQ and the S60 platform. "Symbian OS is one of the key operating systems that we have selected for the Orange network. As a result we are continually looking for content and applications for Symbian OS," explains Steve. "Symbian and Nokia recognize the value of this event and have come forward as headline sponsors. As a result Symbian are a platinum sponsor of the event and they have a lot of sessions at the event. Joining Symbian as sponsors are Motorola, Nokia, PalmSource, Sybase, Tele Atlas, Texas Instruments and UIQ. We also have much for developers working with Java, Palm, Microsoft and Linux."

In addition, to technology sessions Partner Camp offers developers the chance to try their applications out on the latest Orange handsets, in the development centre.

This year's event will also be the launch platform for "Orange Compatible". This new endorsement, which sits on top of application certification programs, such as JavaVerfied or Symbian Signed, represents a new opportunity for developers to show their customers the quality of their applications. "Any customer who sees the 'Orange Compatible' logo will know the product has been tried and tested by Orange and that it is a great technology, something they can and should be putting onto their device," says Steve.

Steve also believes that the venue is a step up from last year. "In 2005 we were in a trailer park. While it worked well I think this year we have done better," says Steve. "Partner Camp is right on the beach, looking out over the Gulf. I think it will help everyone relax and maximize the learning and networking opportunities."

Steve expects that developers will come away from Partner Camp with three things: an understanding of how mobile technology is changing, how they can fulfill Orange's requirements to get their technology in front of Orange customers and an understanding of what the decision makers in each of Orange's territories is looking for in applications and content.

Orange Partner Camp runs from 8 to 11 May at The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort in Longboat Key, Florida. Attendance costs $395 including all accommodation and meals. There are still places available and they can be booked through the Orange Partner Web site: http://www.orangepartner.com/site/enuk/news/events/orange_partner_camp/florida/p_partnercamp.jsp