As you might have read, Aurélie and I had a great moment in our lifes this week with the birth of our son: Luca

Luca Dechamps Pols was born this Wednesday at 20h34, he weighted 3,260 kg and measured 50cm. It’s too soon to tell from whom he got his looks, but I can tell that he has his mother’s eyes (Russian influence).

I wanted to thank all emails and messages (sms, facebook, skype & twitter) that we have received. It is really a special moment and now we will start discovering how this is going to change our lifes. A friend of ours told me that without doing too complex statistics he could tell that we would spend less time facing computer screens ;-)

But not all changes and this is why Saturday I’ll be flying to San Francisco to attend eMetrics (our little tradition). This time, as you might understand, Aurélie won’t be able to attend, but I’ll do my best to represent her, specially in the Industry Insights Day. I’m also proud to attend this year eMetrics as Jim just asked me to join his Advisory Council. Thank you Godfather, I hope to match your expectations.

eMetrics, as you know is the Mecca of Web Analytics. Everybody involved in Web Analytics should at least attend once eMetrics San Francisco (and more if possible)!

Why should you come?

Aside from the presentations, which are really inspiring (this year we have Tom Davenport), I can’t help but to advise you to network. This conference is where you get to meet all industry experts. Don’t hesitate to start the conversation with anybody as we all have one common interest: Web Analytics. I’ve always said that Web Analytics Wednesdays (which you can also attend in SF during the eMetrics, by the way) was a group therapy for web analysts feeling often alone and misunderstood. On the other hand, eMetrics is like a intense shock therapy with positive effects lasting for weeks if not months!

One of the finest things that I enjoy at eMetrics is the Lobby Bar discussions and yes Dave, this year again I’ll be bringing the chocolates. But this time, Aurélie has decided that instead of Pierre Marcolini, who has recently partnered with Nestlé (and needs less promotion), I would be bringing fine chocolates from a new great Belgian chocolate maker Fabrice Collignon. So, don’t hesitate to pay us a visit at the Lobby bar and pay your respect to our Godfather Jim Sterne.

For those here in Europe that won’t be able to join us, I remind you that on May 20th-21st you can attend eMetrics London, the finest European Web Analytics conference. This year, after having had the pleasure to present at eMetrics Stockholm last october, I’ll be presenting in London along with one of our customers Michaël Notté from Toyota Europe. I will be also moderating a track the first day (Analytics in Action), while OX2 will be sponsoring lunch the second day for which we are preparing a little surprise for everyone.

Hoping to see you soon (and yes I’ll bring pictures and videos of Luca in addition to the chocolates).

Cheers from Brussels,

René (a proud husband and father)

Original Comments

Comment 1

Author: Lars Date: May 2, 2008 Text: Once again; CONGRATULATIONS!!

I see you mentioned two KPIs; weight and height. Though I hope the weight is 3.260 kg and not 3,260 kg. ;-)

I expect to see a trended graph on the development of those KPIs!

Bring my best regards to SF as well (if there is any room left after packing all the chocolates).

I would have loved to go to SF, but have too much work (not really a bad thing) in Sweden right now.

Comment 2

Author: Anil Date: May 2, 2008 Text: Congratulations Rene and Aurélie! All they way from india! :-)

Comment 3

Author: René Dechamps Otamendi Date: May 3, 2008 Text: Thank you Anil and Lars, and yes we will keep some metrics as height and weight don’t qualify as a KPI ;-)

I’ve just noticed that there was a problem with the comments since yesterday and nobody was able to comment. I’ve solved the issue by taking out the gotcha word.

Cheers,

René

Comment 4

Author: Siegert Date: May 4, 2008 Text: Great news! Big congratulations. I’m sure you’ll both be fantastic parents for charming Lucca.

Comment 5

Author: Raymond Clarijs Date: May 13, 2008 Text: Aurelie, Rene

Congratulations!