The XML conference I'm producing covers many aspects of XML.  The audience is always varied, with engineers, gurus, newbies, managers, tech comm folks, IT folks, and others coming to learn and network.

We have had great presentations proposed this year.  The first-day agenda includes an intro to XML to get everyone onto the same page and fill in the gaps for newbies.  Then it has an intro to XSLT -- which is not only great for those who need to know it, but also for tech comm people who need to know how XSLT impacts publishing (whether they know they need to know it or not!).  Then we have an introduction to DITA by Kristen James Eberlein.  Even though the conference is for XML, and no specific structures / schema / DTDs are "promoted", with the entry DITA has had I thought it was important to include this presentation.  I'm also hopeful that the case studies will show a little DocBook and other specific structures... again, even though no structures are promoted my opinion is that it helps newbies and beginners to see actual structures and understand how they are used.  Then they can better consider the structure they need to use, why, and how it fits with their process.

More work to do, more proposals to consider for both upcoming conferences.  I'll write more later when I have more time.

PS - Hope to see you all at the conference.  Come learn, network, and expand your skills.  In the current economy, everyone can use a little extra knowledge to help build more job security.