WPWeekly Episode 134 (January 18th, 2014)

http://wptavern.com/wpweekly-episode-134-talking-wordcamps-with-david-bisset

Speaker Slide Showdown?

So last week there was a discussion on Twitter regarding speaker’s submitting slides for review before that speaker gives a presentation at the WordCamp. I just wanted to touch on this and give my thoughts and feedback, and what WordCamp Miami’s past policies have been.

Continue reading “Speaker Slide Showdown?”

WPArmchair Inspired “Taggregator” Now Being Tested On WordCamp Sites

This is cool… starting today with WordCamps Buffalo and Albuquerque a plugin called “Taggregator” is being tested (here’s the update on the Community WordPress page). Currently it appears on the homepages of the two WordCamp sites. Nice to see more features added to conference sites like this.

Continue reading “WPArmchair Inspired “Taggregator” Now Being Tested On WordCamp Sites”

WordCamp Miami 2013 Feedback

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Although WordCamp Miami happened in early April, the feedback forms weren’t sent until almost four months later. As a WordCamp organizer, I would normally say that you should send the typical WordCamp feedback form anytime from the very hour the camp ends to 1-2 weeks later. Four months is normally too long and admittingly myself and the organizers of WordCamp Miami let this fall through the cracks, and next year we’ll be formally asking for feedback closer to the event’s closing.

But putting aside the “better late than never” logic, it was actually INTERESTING to see what stuck in people’s minds months later. And personally, at least this time around, i’m much more interested in that. Months later the feelings you have for an event are what really matter and what i think primarily direct to ever going to that event again in the future. It’s easy to remember that “the lunch line was slow” a week after the conference, but what thoughts and memories stay with you if you think about the event again in half a year? If it’s overall good feelings, than mission accomplished.

So, although this feedback is late, i still think it warrants consideration and sharing. Not to mention we did get emails, personal notes, message via social media, and tons of direct commentry weeks after the event. Personally, i had eight people approach me at WordCamp San Francisco in late July and told me how much they enjoyed the event (and that was without my prompting!). Continue reading “WordCamp Miami 2013 Feedback”

WordCamp Europe’s Selection Process

I’m a little late to this, but I really found the WordCamp Europe Demographics and Selection Process to be very interesting. I wish more WordCamps put something like this out – maybe something not to this level of detail, but at least stating a general thinking of how speakers were selected. If you put guidelines out in public – especially BEFORE your call for speakers – you should have a better selection of speakers to choose from. Also it can always help those who DIDN’T get selected to determine WHY. I would like to think everyone applying to speak for WordCamps have degree of maturity, but you would be surprised something what some people think in their heads if they aren’t selected for a presentation (and especially if they aren’t told directly why).

Anyway, back to Europe. I found myself nodding as I reading this – everything made sense and would be things I would be looking for if I was throwing an “overseas” event like this. I especially like this statement:

Lots of talented people were turned down. It was a difficult process and there was lots of back and forth discussion to get it right.

For WordCamp Miami, it’s becoming harder and harder to decide on speakers for the event – and this is when the event has grown from a one-day to a three (even four) day event. For WordCamp Miami 2013, we had over 100 applications (not individual people, but it was close). We turned ALOT of people down.

The other thing I thought was interesting about the selection process for Europe is that you don’t see sex (male/female) mentioned at all. No mention of trying to balance men vs. women or trying to get a good “man to woman” ratio. As it should be. Getting a balanced group of talented people that represent your area (and beyond) is the focus. It was the same for WordCamp Miami. I get asked “how many women spoke at your event?”. Like that’s a badge of honor, I suppose? Honestly, I couldn’t say off the top of my head. I look at men/women as people – so I could tell you how many PEOPLE spoke at the event.

In closing, let’s get more public disclosure on the selection process (and even stats) of those applying and accepted to more WordCamps. For 2014, I’m planning on making something public for WordCamp Miami’s selection process when the time comes.