2013 sees us host Cisco Live in Melbourne for the third time. This year promises to be even bigger and better than the last.

Over 3,200 customers, partners, media, special guests and Cisco employees from 36 different countries around the world, are on their way to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre for what is truly an action-packed program which kicks off tomorrow. Also, a big welcome to all those participants who are joining us virtually!

We will again be operating three tailored streams to ensure attendees have access to all the information and discussion which suits them best. A Networkers program, an IT Management Program and a Service Provider Program make up the agenda. All the hot topics in the industry will be covered; BYOD, IPv6, SDN and Video are just some of the focus areas across all streams this Cisco Live.

Tomorrow we'll hear from a very special guest to deliver the keynote address; Carlos Dominguez is a Senior Vice President at Cisco Systems and a technology evangelist. He will be addressing Cisco Live on how technology is changing how we communicate, collaborate, and especially, how we work. He is a fascinating individual and we are excited to have him join us at Cisco Live Melbourne.

As always, Cisco Live will be host to the World of Solutions, the exhibition arm of the conference. WOS will see a number of Cisco partners showcasing the innovative solutions they have been working on. It is a fantastic spectacle and I urge you to get down there and check it out.

I hope you are as excited as I am about Cisco Live this year. We truly have a fantastic agenda planned and we look forward to seeing you in Melbourne. Don't forget the official hashtag this year is#clmel.

See you at Cisco Live!

Richard Kitts, Vice President of Cisco Australia and New Zealand