From insightful discussions of key IT issues to provocative keynote speakers who make the connection between business and the global context, Mainstage is at the epicenter of excitement that is HP Software Universe 2009. Our agenda is custom fit to your world and your issues, and our dynamic presenters will deliver ideas that matter to you with force, enthusiasm and candor.

Andy Isherwood | The state of IT today If you're holding out for a hero to confront today's challenges, look no further-you're it. Andy Isherwood, vice president and general manager of HP Software Services, will discuss the state of IT today, and tell you how, as daunting as our problems are, you and your IT organization can be the solution.

Betty Smith | Piloting projects to success Join the vice president of Process and Governance Management for John Hancock to hear about the successful approach this long-time HP customer uses to bring HP solutions into play, perfect their use, get buy-in across the organization, learn the requirements of LOBs, and gain expanding acceptance and adoption.

Dick Hoyt | Yes You Can! Overcoming adversity is the top item on our agenda at Software Universe, and no one knows more about it than Dick and Rick Hoyt, AKA Team Hoyt. Dick, a retired colonel in the Air National Guard, will join us to tell you how his son Rick, born a non-speaking quadriplegic with cerebral palsy, graduated from Boston University and competes regularly in marathons and triathlons.

Jake Johanssen | Host Jake Johanssen was once nominated as the best male standup comic by The American Comedy Awards, starred in his own HBO comedy special, which People magazine listed as one of its "Ten Best Television Shows," and appeared more than 40 times on "The Late Show with David Letterman." Johanssen's specialty is taking his own creative slant on issues everybody can relate to.