One measure of the growing level of interest in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is the expanding number of forums focused on this movement.

Over the next two weeks, the SIIA Software Summit and Pacific Crest Securities’ On-Demand Conference will examine SaaS market opportunities and software industry challenges.

While I expect these software and investor events to be valuable, I’m really looking forward to IDG World Expo’s new user-oriented show in September, called SaaScon.

There are also an increasing array of webcasts, some that I’m privileged to be a part of. One series worth paying attention to is Credit Suisse’s “Mavericks vs. Microsoft”. The series kicked off this week with a fantastic discussion between Credit Suisse’s Jason Maynard and Patrick Grady, CEO of Rearden Commerce. Anyone who hasn’t heard Grady speak is in for a treat. You can here the archived session until May 18. Just call (800) 642-1687. Here are the upcoming sessions,

• Bill Coleman, CEO of Cassatt Inc.
  May 16, 2006 10:00am PST- Technology transition to service oriented architectures.
  Domestic (800) 340-6942, International (706) 679-7197, ID# 8870707
• Larry Augustin, Open Source Investor and Advisor
  May 25, 2006 8:00am PST – The adoption and rationale of Open Source software.
  Domestic (800) 340-6942, International (706) 679-7197, ID# 8870832
• Zach Nelson, CEO of NetSuite
  June 2, 2006 8:00am PST – On Demand application suites for the under served middle market. Domestic (800) 340-6942, International (706) 679-7197, ID# 8870953