Sapphire: When technologists let their hair down

"Cause I've been locked up way too long...how far is heaven"

Los Lonely Boys reflected the mood of the Sapphire audience as they opened for Sheryl Crow. SAP executives were exhausted from presenting, customers and prospects tired of listening. SAP staff and partners exhausted from being pleasant to everyone,  bloggers tired of blogging - and they got a break as they were bused to the rock heaven which closed out Sapphire.

And tired as everyone was, the majority stood through the concert rocking to the bands. A poor guy next to me, exhausted from the week, actually tried to sleep through the decibels and finally got up and left to find a quieter spot. The rest of the crowd, though seemed obligated to match Sheryl's energy - remarkable for someone who underwent breast cancer surgery just 3 months ago. Today was the start of her grueling summer tour.

Sheryl jokingly asked the audience to feel free to strip down. I saw Bill McDemott, CEO of SAP Americas walking around without his tie - not sure I ever have. But no tattoos in sight. No cigarette lighters either. Lots of camera phones and PDAs provided lights instead. But the screams, the groupie front row stretched hands, the calls for "Free Bird" - who says middle aged technologists cannot compete with younger concert goers? 

SAP Marketing did not take a break, though. Through out the evening they flashed on giant screens the "best-run companies run on SAP" messages. Sapphire this evening, though, ran on a different kind of energy.