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ECIS-Blog - Behind the Scenes and More


Social Media Highlights of #ECIS2015

Sun, 2015-06-07 22:38

After four intensive days of ECIS conference, and some relaxing days afterwards, there is now some time to take a look back. Luckily, there is plenty of user-generated concent that people shared via social media channels. Or with the words of our keynote speaker Helmut Krcmar: "Everything is public by default." Thanks a lot for your participation – here is my personal selection of social media highlights of #ECIS2015.

First stage: #Vorfreude

After the first tweet was posted 728 days before the conference, the real fun started with the end of the submission deadline in November 2014. The deadline was featured on our website with a countdown in the top right corner, along with the respective tweets. For ultimate advice, we provided in addition some hints for random cuts in order to finish the paper on time: "Write if you can!".

Unfortunately, we have no performance measures about how our constant effort to make people aware of the deadline contributed to the total number of submissions. Moreover, such countdown procedures have not become standard yet, as we noted some months later...

On February 27, we could finally announce the acceptance notices for ECIS 2015, which allowed us to plan the session layout. At this moment in time, we had already published 16 "Treasures of the week", secret places in and around Muenster that you will not necessarily find in your travel guide.

Second stage: #Juchhu

On April 28, we entered the #Juchhu stage. After publishing the program we invited the participants with Twitter account to tweet their paper title and link to it. Thanks to @ellahsydney, @balbirbarn, @ElenaGorbi, @securescientist, @majestixx, and @lanamaeki for sharing their research.

In the last month before the conference, you were able to follow our preparations on Twitter. We posted everything that is important for the conference and interesting for future visitors, and also everything that is neither important nor interesting. To explain ECIS 2015 dress code, we produced an explainer video. All in all, a great buzz.

The day before the conference started, we met with early arrivers for a pub crawl. Best coverage of what happened was arguably provided by Jason Thatcher on his Facebook account. More detailed pictures were luckily not published (what happens in Vegas Münster, stays in...). Check this post for the full story. Thank you Mr President! On the next day, @jhillegersberg constantly kept us posted via Twitter about the progress of the participants of the Doctoral Consortium, who actually biked from Twente to Münster (50km), including beautiful pictures of the countryside.

Before the conference, we imagined in the ECIS blog what would happen if ECIS 2015 was a soccer tournament. Our wish actually became true on conference Tuesday when 17 participants met at Soccerhalle Rummenigge to compete in 3 teams.

For the four conference days, "Treasures of the week" converted into "Treasures of the day" (#ToW > #ToD). The spirit of ECIS 2015 was easiest to grasp at "ERCIS @ ECIS @ ERCIS" meeting, where Jörg Becker took the opportunity to thank the many ERCIS partners that had been part of the program committees. His gratitude was best captured in the following picture:

Third stage: #Ekstase

One year before, Münster organizers had crashed the dance floor in Tel-Aviv. I guess, a new tradition is born... At ECIS conference dinner, our Turkish successors picked up the tradition and brought it to n+1.

On that evening, people told me many good things about the conference. However, there were free drinks and everybody was in "relaxed mode". Thanks to @Kris_Ego, @aslisencerx, @HealthISLab, @CirielloR, @viadeeJava, @minemytext, @balbirbarn, @Anandstweets, @TGAsuperheroes, @ellahsydney, and  @DrJSims to share positive feedback also with some sober distance.

For me personally, ECIS 2015 has been an unforgettable experience with so many old and new friends coming to Germany. I think I speak for many volunteers when I say that I am very happy to be part of this exciting event. Gladly, we took a plethora of pictures to bring back the memories any time.

About the author: Sebastian Köffer

Sebastian Köffer

Remember that guy at the conference, lurking around all the time to get the best picture shots for photo tweets on @ECIS2015... Outside ECIS 2015, Sebastian Köffer (@koeffi) works as research assistant at the European Research Center of Information Systems in Münster.
 

If you would like to know more about the author, check out the author's website.

I got my bike!

Mon, 2015-05-25 10:33

Jan on the bikeJust got me my bike for the week. Highly recommended. It is super nice driving through Münster by bike. Took me five minutes to get it at the bike station at the railway station, and it's only €37 for the entire week. Also: ask at your hotel. They might have some, too. Get into the Münster feeling ;-))

About the author: Jan vom Brocke

Jan vom Brocke

Not a lot to say: Jan is Conference Co-Chair, Hilti Chair of Business Process Management, Director of the Institute of Information Systems, Co-Director of the International Master Program in IT and Business Process Management, and Director of the PhD Program in Business Economics at the University of Liechtenstein. He is Vice President for Education at the AIS, President of the Liechtenstein Chapter of the AIS, and he serves on the University Executive Board as Vice-President Research and Innovation.

If you would like to know more about the author, check out the author's website.

If ECIS was a Soccer Tournament

Mon, 2015-05-11 20:04

So we were sitting there and thinking about the obvious question: "Imagine ECIS was a soccer tournament... What would it be like?" Here's our best of. Give us yours, we will add it! Send an email to imagineeciswasasoccertournament@ecis2015.eu!

Before the game

  • The presentation rooms will not fill up from the back but the front row (and the best seats are directly beside the stage).
  • There would be a lucky loser round for the best-rejected papers.
  • At the beginning of a session, the audience would stand up for the national anthems of the presenters.

During the game

  • The Session Chair would clap your bum before substituting you for the next speaker.
  • Your name would be chanted by the audience when entering the pitch.
  • Signing another researchers’ name badge or shirt with a marker would not be seen as improper behavior.
  • Wearing shin guards and cleats on stage is an essential part of the dress code.
  • If you do not know how to continue during your presentation, you could always drop to the floor to get a massage, or receive some cooling spray (might also help against sweat ;-))
  • A live commentator’s dramatic voice accompanies the slide with conclusion.
  • If someone unfairly disturbed you during your talk, you would be awarded a free “naughty question” during his or her talk
  • Jumping on the stage would be tolerated to avoid dangerous sliding tackles (i.e. nasty questions) of the audience.
  • Cheering and waves during the presentation would be allowed.
  • The Session Chair would hold up yellow and red cards instead of the 2 minute and "finish your sentence"-card (in fact, we will provide this kind of cards J)
  • You could call the doctor or a substitution if your PowerPoint hangs.
  • Too much text on slides would be punished by a yellow card.
  • Some people would stand during your presentation although free seats would be available. These people would also claim “that only standing guarantees full emotional support of your presentation”.
  • The audience will provide you with creative support during your presentation.

After the game

  • You will be awarded a “best of slow-motion video” after you presentation.
  • After an excellent presentation, you would throw your shirt into the audience.
  • If your presentation was bad, it might get your superior fired because he or she did not coach you well enough (remember: it is more expensive to exchange the whole team than the coach).
  • You would get some funny celebrations with your co-authors after a successful talk...

During the awards show

  • Everybody would applause if you poured a big glass of Weizenbier over the heads of the Best Paper Award winners.
  • Partying your best paper award with a beer shower is streamed to the big screens in all conference rooms.
  • Running around holding your best paper award over the head during the conference dinner, and shouting the name of your University would be met with cheers.
  • Best papers are awarded a travelling trophy including the names of the previous winners on the stand.

What comes to your mind?

  • Space reserved for you... Come on, be creative!

About the author: Sebastian Bräuer

Sebastian Bräuer

Sebastian Bräuer works as a research assistant at the European Research Center of Information Systems in Münster. Born in Hamm (near Dortmund) he is looking forward to see his team at the DFB Cup soccer final in Berlin (unfortunately only from the couch). In his free time he likes to play soccer (e.g., for ZSK ERCIS), and he likes to take pictures, tons of pictures. So most time during the ECIS, he will most likely hide behind his lenses.

If you would like to know more about the author, check out the author's website.

Arriving at Düsseldorf Airport – How to master the train price jungle!

Mon, 2015-04-27 01:09

As international ECIS visitor, your German adventure may start at the airport “Düsseldorf International” which is the closest international airport to Münster. Despite the famous reputation of the German Autobahn, German rail offers arguably the fastest and most convenient transport to get to Münster. Getting there is generally easy. Nonetheless, I want to share with you some specific hints for a smooth arrival.

Germany has a big train network. In fact, we have so many trains, that Düsseldorf Airport has two railway connections – one for the line S11 and one for S1 and all other connections. With S11, you’ll get to Düsseldorf city Centre, which is nice to see, but extends your journey to Münster. Route for S1 to reach Münster as fast as possible. Unfortunately, the station for S1 is not located at the terminal. To get to the station, an automatic “Skytrain” connects airport terminal and railway station.

Germany ahead This way does not lead to Münster There you go!

Recall that Germans like trains. But Germans also like rules. Together, this can be a terrible combination. German rail companies have invented a complicated tariff system that differs between the federal states of Germany and makes it sometimes hard to identify the cheapest ticket option. Before boarding the Skytrain, you are required to buy a ticket – not very guest-friendly! Anyway, be clever and buy directly a ticket to Münster and the Skytrain journey will be virtually free of charge! The good news is: Düsseldorf and Münster both lie in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (official acronym: NRW). That enables you to buy special tickets that are only valid in this state.

How to get a ticket

The best way to buy a ticket is the automatic vending machine at the Skytrain platform. If you are travelling alone, the cheapest ticket is called “Nice journey ticket NRW / Schöne Fahrt Ticket NRW” for 18.40 EUR. The ticket is valid for two hours, which is sufficient to get to Münster. If your journey gets delayed, the ticket is of course still valid. However, you are required to board the train directly after the purchase. For all-day long travel all over NRW, choose “Nice day ticket NRW Single / Schöner Tag Ticket NRW Single” for 29 EUR. If you travel in a group of 3-5 persons, the cheapest option is the “Nice day ticket NRW 5 persons / Schöner Tag Ticket NRW 5 Personen” for 42 EUR. The ticket is valid for five travelers, all-day long, all over NRW.

Click NRW Ticket Choose the ticket Pay with credit or debit card

All NRW tickets are only valid for regional trains (RE, RB, S) and not for faster InterCity trains (IC, ICE). The latter trains are not recommended for the trip to Münster, since they are more expensive (28 EUR for a single journey) and offer almost no time advantage on this route. RE trains to Münster depart every hour at 13 minutes after the hour, usually from platform 5. You may check the full train schedule here.

Skytrain airport terminal Train schedule info screen This is your train!

Sounds complex? It is easier than you think. We have provided more information on the ECIS 2015 website. Feel free to contact me, if you have any questions.

Safe travels!

PS: Don’t expect that there is free Wi-Fi access anywhere on the way (airport, stations, trains, etc.). German law makes it very difficult to provide hotspots. In terms of Wi-Fi, our country is best described as “Banana Republic”. However, as soon you are in Münster, you won’t have to look far thanks to Eduroam.

PPS:  If you arrive at Frankfurt International Airport, the fastest way to Münster is also the train. Take the ICE to Cologne or Dortmund and change trains in Cologne or Essen. The journey will last approximately three hours and cost you around 100 EUR. It includes the Cologne - Frankfurt high-speed rail line. The train schedule can be checked here.

About the author: Sebastian Köffer

Sebastian Köffer

Sebastian Köffer (@koeffi) works as research assistant at the European Research Center of Information Systems in Münster. He likes trains, and hates rules.

 

If you would like to know more about the author, check out the author's website.

Oh no, it's a gruffalo!

Mon, 2015-04-20 15:54

This blog entry is basically for parents. While all others may ask "WT....what is a gruffalo?", parents of small kids may most probably have heard about it. The Gruffalo is one of the world’s best-loved monsters. Since it was first published in 1999, the award-winning story of his encounter with the little brown mouse in the deep dark wood has continued to delight children and adults the world over. If you have read the storys and your family joins you for the trip to Münster, you may be interested in the current Gruffalo exhibition at the arts museum (this museum is also the venue for the conference dinner). There are a lot of illustrations, hands on exhibits, and all books published and illustrated by Axel Scheffler und Julia Donaldson. Thus, if there should be a rainy day during your stay in Münster, this exhibition can be a great option to spend some time.

In addition, there are workshops and talks for children (some also offered in English). Just have a look: 

https://www.lwl.org/LWL/Kultur/museumkunstkultur/ausstellungen/grueffelo

About the author: Katrin Bergener

Katrin Bergener

Katrin works as Postdoc at the Chair of Information Systems and Information Management. She is mother of two kids and has already visited the Gruffalo exhibition (several times :-)). Together with Armin Stein and Michael Räckers, she is heavily involved in the ECIS organization.

 

If you would like to know more about the author, check out the author's website.
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