Public speaking is something I love to do.
I love to teach, engage and contribute to those who want to listen.
I was honored to be able to present at WordCamp Phoenix. The event was one of the best organized and produced WordCamps I have attended. Excellent line up of WordPress professionals, great venue and format. Kudos to the organizers and sponsors.
WordPress is utilized by such a wide variety of people for multiple disciplines. There are bloggers, web designers, web developers, entrepreneurs, business owners, application innovators, social media enthusiasts, content publishers, small businesses and everyone in between. Considering the breadth of users and uses for WordPress, its difficult to host an event that will cater to everyone in the audience.
Questions & Answers
I had the chance to speak to many of the folks that attended. They all thought the $30 price tag was an incredible value, especially with breakfast and lunch being included. I asked all of them a few questions including: What would make WordCamp better? What expectations did you have and were those expectations met? What would you like to see at WordCamp in the future?
I was surprised to hear that many of them did not have specific expectations, rather they attended the event to either learn more about WordPress itself in general or to hear a certain speaker. Many did agree the event should incorporate educational learning components, the fundamentals of WP and technical presentations as well.
Almost everyone I spoke to you loved the idea of having more of a question and answer format and hands on training modules. A few participants brought up the idea of a hand out with resources.
Ideally, in order to address the concerns, desires and wishes of the attendees to WordCamp and provide the most entertaining and educational experience possible, its my opinion the event coordinators should survey each participant before and after the event to help define the best speakers and topics for presentations as well next years format.
I really like WordCamp NYC and WordCamp Victoria Canada’s formats. You will see the consistency in the programs that I am trying to explain below.
My Take Away – Chunk it!
WordCamp is still a new concept. We are all doing our best and each event will always be different, but maybe standardizing the flow and content would be a benefit to connect with as many people as possible. Here are my suggestions.
- Open with a presentation on the history, current status and future development of WordPress. This is where it started, this is where it is now and this is where it is going.
- Invite one keynote speaker that has made a major contribution to the WordPress culture. On first thought, it would be great to have a WP authority from the local community as to capitalize on name recognition, if this is not possible then one who is well known through out the WordPress community. Lorelle Van Fossen was a perfect choice for WordCamp Phoenix.
- Allow attendees to sign up for specific modules focusing on areas of interest. This may be accomplished with multiple tracks or days.
WordPress design, WordPress development and Plugins , WordPress as a CMS, WordPress as a vehicle for Social Media, WordPress for Business, etc. This would allow for the WordCamp organizers to concentrate their time and efforts in the areas that people are most interested in learning about WP, as well as give participants exactly what they expect from WordCamp.
- Offer demonstrations and specific techniques for hands on real time learning and interaction with the participants, i.e. Q & A sessions, demonstrations and expert panels.
- Offer continuing education. WordCamp is just the beginning for most. Many folks left with more questions then answers. Provide the possibility for webinars and follow up materials to the participants, maybe even workshops organized in the local area after the event. Offer people to join a WordPress Meetup!
- Form a global WordCamp advisory board and committee of past organizers, where enthusiasts wishing to host a WordCamp can find definitive resources and answers to produce the best event possible.
- Make sure the speakers are prepared and attend to their needs! Help them with their presentation design, flow and content. I would have loved to have had others’ opinions and ideas and a little help from my friends. Asa first timer speaking at WordCamp, I was not sure what to expect, even though I have made dozens of presentations before.
- Last and certainly not least, make sure the technology works flawlessly. Utilize one computer for all presentations and each presentation should be created in the same software or format. Make sure the Internet access is robust and reliable.
I am sure there are many more factors that make a great event a success. We all live and learn. I am not saying that WordCamp Phoenix fell short in any of these areas. I am just sharing my overall insights from attending my 4th WordCamp.
Love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment and share.
