I think the first edition of BlogSavannah Un-Conference 07 was a great success. Congrats to Drew and the rest of the crew that put on the event. (Photos here)
The big issue with any un-conference is always managing the expectations of the attendees...many of whom have never been to an un-con. It was great to hear a number of folks say, "now that I've experienced this type of event, I really don't want to go back to the normal conference format."
Here are a few random notes:
- If you've been to a few local un-conferences you will see the discussions tend to repeat themselves, however you need to keep in mind that the majority of people in the audience are first-timers and all this is new to them.
- Just like BlogOrlando, some of the really good discussions were in the smaller room. Perhaps it's the confinement, or the smaller groups? What do you think?
- With a large percentage of users in the room you get a different perspective on topics.
- It's aggravating when the discussion turns into a debate about what a blog is and how to do it. It's especially frustrating when the people doing the preaching are not bloggers. It's like somebody telling you how to raise your children....and they don't have any of their own.
- A number of other bloggers have mentioned an individual that hijacked a number of the discussions. This is one of the issues with the format. Some of us tried to turn the discussion to other issues, but when you have discussion leaders that haven't facilitated sessions before it can be tough for them.
- Lisa has a great write-up from an un-conference first-timer. Go read it. The comments are good.
- Shawn thinks things were a bit too corporate...and I have to agree with her.
- The wifi was great!
- Chris Miller from the Creative Coast Initiative had a great session and really got the spirit of an un-con.
- Savannah is a unique and eclectic town. I spent most of the morning on Saturday walking around taking photos. However, move just a bit outside the historic downtown and there is poverty and decay.
- I met a bunch of new people. Chris, David, Lisa, Shawn, Betsy, Marjorie, Amber and her husband Rusty, the whole gang at Paragon (now blogging), Scott from Savannah Now, Angel and Alexandria to name just a few.
- I'll be back in Savannah on May 24/25/26th March 1st to do a seminar for Marjorie's clients so we'll need to organize a dinner/happy hour.
Visitor Comments
Josh, Thanks for making the trip to Savannah to join us. Your expertise was a tremendous contribution to the event.
I was surprised how many folks attended who aren't blogging yet but wanted to learn more about it. Very cool.
And the best part was that enough idea sharing was going on that even more experienced bloggers could walk away with some new info. I know I learned a bunch!
Posted by: Chris Cree | January 28, 2007 8:57 AM
Wow - those comments on Lisa's blog were provocative.
Yes, it was cold.
But I found the rawness of a new event so refreshing. I liked that it wasn't too structured. That's why it was so much fun. It was a great study in human nature, which is one of the reasons blogging is such a hit, don't you think?
Posted by: Betsy | January 28, 2007 12:14 PM
man, in retrospect i would do so many things differently. i kind of agree about the corporate aspect. i think it morphed into this for two reasons. when i first started planning i
A) was blogging for a company and was letting my personal blogging really slip away
B) am asked constantly in Savannah about business blogging and corporate blogging and so i really felt like that was the desire of most
i would like to see more personal bloggers step forward though and really speak up about what went down. i am so thankful you stepped in at the last minute for that 101. i really didn't even think about the beginners aspect. shows my naivete, i guess. and the conversation hijacking? who was that person? i mean, i know who it was but who the heck would have let that happen had we known? it did get to be a bit overwhelming and dissapointed me on a lot of levels.
i would love to catch up with you and maybe host a bloggers happy hour when you come back to town. perhaps you could get together with TCCi and also do something with them during that time. i know a lot of folks would love to get together a little more frequently and learn and share.
thanks again!
drew.
Posted by: drew | January 28, 2007 7:56 PM
Bwahahaha! Rusty isn't my husband. (Not yet, anyway!) No worries though. :) Btw, his blog is Radical Georgia Moderate.
It was good to meet you this weekend!
Posted by: Amber | January 28, 2007 8:35 PM
Damn, man, you stripped out my HTML! The URL for Rusty's blog is http://www.radicalgeorgiamoderate.org.
Posted by: Amber | January 28, 2007 8:36 PM
Josh,
It was great getting to know you a bit better in person and I am very excited to have you up here for SoCon07. Thanks again for everything.
Posted by: Sherry Heyl | January 28, 2007 9:48 PM
I think this hijacker has really upset a lot of people. I've seen it mentioned in several places.
Considering this was the first un-conference for this area, it went over well. If Savannah has one again next year, we'll know what to plan and expect. It was a growing experience.
The event was very handy in computer ethics class, in general.
And again, it was nice to meet you. Love your pictures!
Posted by: Shawn | January 29, 2007 7:03 PM
I'm glad you can return to Savannah, March 1, to give a private session to the Carriage Trade. Thank you!
Posted by: Marjorie Young | January 30, 2007 12:26 AM
Marjorie: I updated the date for the event to March 1st.
Posted by: Josh Hallett | January 30, 2007 12:16 PM