This past weekend, I participated in WordCamp Dallas 2009 (#wcdfw09), an Unconference for more than 325 bloggers and new media types held at University of Dallas in Richardson, TX. John P. and Cali Lewis of GeekbriefTV spearheaded the event’s organization and secured a host of sponsors and other volunteers to assist them. As a new blogger, and a life-long learner, I wanted to learn more about how to improve my blogging skills and the use of WordPress platform. I also wanted to see how the social media pros integrated Web 2.0 tools into their events.
Since I am a professional meeting and event planner by day that earns a living planning conferences and education events, I try to manage my expectations when I attend another event. Meeting planners can often be some of the most critical attendees because “We’ve always done it better at a one of our events.” Since this event was of the Unconference variety, I walked in with the mindset to learn as much as I could about blogging and WordPress, from anyone that would let me, even if it were just from other attendees in the hallway. At the least, I was prepared to learn what not to do when planning an event because I assumed it would be un-organized event. It was an ”Un-conference” afterall.
Well, I was pleasantly surprised both by the quality of the content and the organizational skills of volunteer coordinators. At the end of each day, I left with brain drain from trying to absorb way too much information, way too fast, in a condensed time frame. That was one of this conference’s challenges and my negatives, cramming way too much information into a short amount of time, thinking the audience would retain that information. It all became very overwhelming and will take me months to digest and discern what applies to my situation now.
I offer many hat tips to WordCamp 2009’s organizers, sponsors and volunteers. Thank you for an outstanding event and I look forward to learning from you, the speakers and attendees in the future. I also look forward to next year’s event as well.
Here’s what I learned about planning and organizing an Unconference or Bar Camp for new media types. I’m focusing on the strategic and not tactical elements of planning an unconference. I will write more about my content take-aways later this week as well as my suggestions for organizers of future Unconferences.
1) To paraphrase Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed non-planners can organize an event that can change the world.”
2) Even non-planners start with strategy and goals before attempting logistics.
3) Quality content at an unconference eclipses any lack of organizational planning or logistic snafus.
4) Your social connections, both online and offline, can help you when you need it most in your planning and organizational process. (Reach out to experts and others to connect and meet your needs.)
5) Many of the new media types are very altruistic, will share from their experiences and honestly want you to succeed.
6) Venues with free wifi and adequate electrical outlets are becoming increasing critical to 21st century conferences and events.
7) More people are attending virtual meetings and events and organizers need to find champions at the face-to-face event to keep those virtual attendees engaged during a conference.
Tomorrow, my tips for non-event professionals for planning an Unconferene or BarCamp in the future.
