Travel Diaries: Encounters To Enthusiasm

Travel is a privilege. It has a unique way of energizing you. The goal is to make the most from the limited time you are given. Good conversations today can turn into great collaborations tomorrow.  

I recently had a very productive few weeks of travel. Here are some highlights from a journey that took me from Houston to Minneapolis, and from Ohio to Atlanta.

Eclipse Encounter 2025: Team Work Makes The Dream Work

The Eclipse Encounter User Group event in Houston marked the beginning of this adventure. As platinum sponsors, we had excellent visibility. User groups are among my favorite types of events to attend. You get to know what is on the minds of people who use these solutions daily, and what they feel are pressing challenges. And if we can help them navigate those challenges, then it’s truly rewarding. 

It was also my first time working with Chidambaram S. at an event, and he really shined in his role of representing DCKAP. Along with him and Tim Diep, our booth ended up being quite active with many conversations extending beyond the event. Tim and Chidambaram also presented a great session on streamlining processes with DCKAP Integrator. 

Our rhino merchandise were also a hit. If you have had a chance to grab a Ramu or Rhine plush, do feel free to send pictures our way; we’ll be happy to see them thrive in their new homes. 

Meeting Customers & Partners 

During this trip, we also took the opportunity to meet some of our customers in the area. Meetings like this are very motivating. We are able to talk at length and get to know our customers and understand their experiences and expectations about our product better. My gratitude for all our partners and clients that made time to meet with us. 

We visited Global Shop Solutions in Houston. This partnership has been months in the making, involving teamwork across multiple departments. We’re excited to help their customers with their integration and EDI requirements. 

Happy customers also help us build great partnerships. One of my meetings was to establish a  partnership with a team who had heard about the great work we had done for one of their clients. These were especially exciting for us and I look forward to working with them. 

Brand New Episodes Of The Driven By DCKAP Podcast

After Houston, I headed to Minneapolis to record two episodes of Driven by DCKAP with high-profile guests. The first was with Paul Kennedy, CEO of Dakota Supply Group (DSG) — a company whose Chief Technology Officer I’d actually bumped into at the Eclipse conference. 

The second was with Tammy Miller, former Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota and former CEO of Border States. It was great catching up with her since her previous appearance on the Driven By DCKAP podcast.

These weren’t just podcast recordings; they were relationship-building exercises. The conversations flowed naturally and offered insights that will serve our listeners well.

A Quick Detour: World Tamils Economic Conference

Over the weekend, I took a brief detour to Washington D.C. for the 12th World Tamils Economic Conference. I had the honor of moderating a session on the Challenges & Success of Startups. It was a refreshing change of pace and a reminder of the broader entrepreneurial community that is growing across the globe.

P21 South East User Group

My trip that started with a user group event concluded in Atlanta with another one: the P21 South East User Group Event. 

We actually discovered this group through one of our customers, The Lab Depot. Special thanks to Kevin Enckler, CEO of the P21 SE Users Group who helped us be able to attend the user group. The Prophet 21 user community is one we are especially equipped to serve, so we were glad to have been able to attend. 

Onwards & Upwards

As I reflect on these travels, I’m reminded that the conferences, meetings, and flights are just the beginning. The real work happens in the follow-through. Every lead needs nurturing. Every partnership requires excellent execution. Every promise made must be a promise kept.

Some of the feedback we received during the meetings during these past few weeks have been especially motivating. The team has set a world-class standard: one we need to maintain consistently. When we do, doors open. Partnerships form. New ideas emerge. And the DCKAP Community grows.

Thank you for reading. 

Karthik Chidambaram.