As I prepare to travel to Philly tomorrow to attend EventCamp East Coast, I feel a mixture of excitement and queasiness... it is the same feeling I used to feel before the first day of school every year. The same questions ripple across my brain:
Will they like me?
Will I make new friends?
Will I get a good seat?
Some people might ask why I would be attending EventCamp East Coast. I am not an event planner. I am not an events vendor. I am not an events blogger.
EventsCamp is About Improving Engagement
The reason I follow so many thought leaders from the events community is because their focus tends to be on how to improve engagement and learning for attendees. In my work, that is exactly the kind of focus I have.
What psychology makes people pull together? How can we foster community? How can we better communicate our message? How does the brain react to panels, keynotes, PowerPoints, and interactive activities? How do we stay connected to our attendees after the meeting is over? These are the kinds of questions that we are all seeking answers to and why EventCamp topics appeal directly to me.
EventsCamp is About Innovation
The association industry has heard from various authors this year about how we need to think like entrepreneurs and lead with creativity in order to survive. I choose to see this as more argument to support innovation. Innovation could be defined as a identifying a new way to do something. In fact, that is exactly what EventCamp strives to do. It is about moving beyond the talk and discussion about improvement and actually putting these ideas into practice. In that regard, there is no way EventCamp isn't good for the soul. In my role as a human being and then as a consultant to associations about social media, I realize the importance of action. I am not helpful because of my ideas. I am helpful because of what I have put into practice and what I've learned as a result. You can read more about EventCamp's history to better understand why each meeting reflects this devotion to innovation.
EventCamp is Solving Problems You Didn't Know You Had
Ever wonder how to make a truly successful hybrid event?
Ever wonder how to better engage a virtual audience?
Do you sometimes think you'd like to find new formats for speaking engagements or leadership meetings that would leave you and your audience energized rather than drained?
Not sure of what equipment you need to better communicate with a large group of people offsite?
Want to avoid looking stupid when discussing technology applications in business?
EventCamp is not about counting plates and figuring out catering contracts. EventCamp is a high level concentration of like-minded individuals who come together to discuss how social media and technology can be combined with events to greater success.
Watch for More News
I will be broadcasting a live webcast of the Social Media Sweet Spot from EventCamp East Coast right after I get to Philly. Tune in tomorrow (Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:30 pm ET) to have a chance to meet some of the organizers and attendees! I can't wait to meet the amazing folks behind this event, the speakers, and attendees who will undoubtedly teach me many new things.
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