It's the one questions I'm asked most frequently in the past few weeks, "BlogOrlando?" That's it, just one word. The folks asking assume I know what they mean. And I do. Sadly the news is not good.
After a great deal of consideration I have decided not to host a big, public BlogOrlando this year.
Why? A number of reasons:
1. I just can't make the time commitment this year. Work is busier than ever and I've done it three years now. The event consumes almost all my free time in September. I'm looking forward to a bit of a break and I know my family is as well. I've always had a great bunch of volunteers to help out, but still the majority of the work and stress is on me.
2. In some ways I think the event has run its course. When planning last year's event I started by saying, "I can't repeat the same sessions, and have similar speakers." In the end though a little bit of that happened.
As the topics mature you create a few different groups, namely those starting out, and those that are experienced. Eventually there needs to be two tracks, a beginner and an expert. Layer that on top of the already existing tracks for PR/Comms, Journalism, etc and you have quite the complex event. It's not just a simple get together of folks in a room chatting. The first year we had under a 100 folks, the past two we've been near 300, I would expect the same this year, since cost isn't a factor, the event has always been free :-)
3. Back to the roots. Last year I hosted a smaller event a few days before BlogOrlando. If you remember it was the original concept behind the event. I may still do something small, invite only. Think of it as a TED-style event in Orlando. I'll be mulling that over in the next few weeks.
4. I'm not as connected to Orlando as I used to be. My work has taken me all over the world now and I don't get to spend as much time in the downtown area. I mentioned this to a few folks last year; the fact the the guy behind BlogOrlando doesn't really work there anymore. Folks like Greg Pollack and Ryan Price have always been in touch with the local scene and their local events show that.
I've been debating about when to announce this, since I was hoping that thinking about it more would change my mind. However, as I said above, the question is being asked, and a few folks were even asking about travel plans.
It is the complete end? No. I may still hold a small private event this year, or may think about hosting an event in 2010. We'll see.
A few folks have asked if I would let somebody else run the event. I have mixed feelings about this. While there are a few folks that I know could run the event well, BlogOrlando has mostly been my baby and I'm not ready just yet to let it go. However I may change my mind.
Lastly a big thanks to all my friends and colleagues that took time out of their personal schedules and paid their own way to travel to Orlando these past three years. I like to think we put Orlando on the map a bit. Seeing something like this, makes me feel proud.
In the end we all learned from each other and made friendships and business connections that will last for a while. That's more valuable than any topic covered in a session.
Visitor Comments
Sorry to hear that! You shall be missed.... Here's hoping for 2010 :)
Posted by: OrlandoGolfBlogger | April 14, 2009 9:27 AM
I think your timing is right, and if you brought it back I'd expect it to be quite different -- but I will still miss it. When asked, my ideal conference calendar recommendation has been the same for the past 3 years -- SXSW, BlogHer, Gnomedex, BlogOrlando.
Posted by: Dave C. | April 14, 2009 9:37 AM
Josh - sorry to see this post. If you want FPRA-Orlando to help in any way you know we're here!! And, we're extremely proud of you and all you've accomplished.
Posted by: Jamie Floer | April 14, 2009 9:40 AM
clap clap clap - salute....Josh - Blog Orlando did so much to bring all of us together and to inspire a whole bunch of people from suits and ties to freelancers to get involved with blogging and the new media scene in Orlando. I tip my hat to you sir.
You are a pioneer my friend and Orlando's, and really the Southeast's, blogging community is the better for it. Thank you for all that you have done to make the even possible in the past and best of luck with your current and future endeavors.
Posted by: John Rife | April 14, 2009 9:40 AM
I'm not gonna lie, I will miss BlogOrlando tremendously. BlogOrlando was the one conference a year where the "do-er's" gathered, rather than the "experts" or the "personal brands." It was a gathering of people in the trenches sharing case studies, what worked and more importantly, what didn't.
That said, I understand and respect your feelings on the matter.
It's been a great run and if you change your mind, I'm there.
Posted by: Annie Heckenberger | April 14, 2009 9:46 AM
What a tremendous gift BlogOrlando has been to the growing social media community here in Central Florida. Thanks, Josh, for sharing your expertise and the expertise of your friends over these past 3 years. Keep us posted on any future projects!!
Posted by: Chris Gent | April 14, 2009 9:48 AM
BlogOrlando was more or less my first real conference, and I'll definitely remember that. It sucks to see it go, but it was a good run. Without it, I think i'd still be completely clueless on this stuff.
Thanks man.
Posted by: Judson Collier | April 14, 2009 9:57 AM
Josh,
Thanks for all the hard work and effort you put into these events. BlogOrlando has meant more to our community then you could ever imagine.
I'm really going to miss this event.
Good Luck.
Cheers,
Mark
Posted by: Mark Krupinski | April 14, 2009 10:03 AM
A bummer, yes, but it had a good run and the one I attended last year was incredible.
Great work, dude.
Posted by: Phil Gomes | April 14, 2009 10:22 AM
I'm sad I never made it down to one of these, but also glad to hear that business is going so well for you. It's a good problem to have.
Posted by: Rusty | April 14, 2009 10:23 AM
Maybe it's a good time for BlogTampa??
Posted by: Doreen | April 14, 2009 10:34 AM
Josh, Last year was my first and it was a great experience. I understand your reasons but home sometime will come along to give those interested in theses areas a forum, to communicate, chat, learn and exchange ideas.
Posted by: Mark Pino | April 14, 2009 11:12 AM
Josh: BlogOrlando, and you by extension, impacted a lot of people in Central Florida. Even though you may have mixed emotions about your decision, I hope you grasp the huge impact you've had on our profession, both locally and nationally. We appreciate you “blazing the trail” for us. Thanks for everything you do for FPRA!
Posted by: Joe Chabus, APR | April 14, 2009 1:14 PM
Josh, BlogOrlando is a tremendous initiative that few could pull off. Because it required so much work. Because it drew on a vast network of friends and admirers - both local and distributed.
You've contributed greatly to the community. So, how could we begrudge you a rest. But I'm glad you haven't closed the door to doing something in the future. And heck. We've moved from talking about Blogging to social networks to social media to communities. As our scope expands and changes, maybe the forum should change too.
I'm looking forward to whatever project you take on next. It's sure to be both interesting and well done.
Posted by: Joseph Thornley | April 14, 2009 10:17 PM
This past weekend (April 18, 2009) was Orlando's 3rd BarCamp and this was one of the questions I kept fielding, will there be a BlogOrlando 4 this year? I had to sadly say no.
However, I encourage folks really interested in the topics of BlogOrlando to start another event, a BlogCamp if you will. It might not have the polish and high-caliber speakers as past BlogOrlando conferences, but that the community would still benefit from a writer/journalism/blog-engine specific event, since our BarCamps tend to skew heavily towards development topics.
Josh has shown our community the way. All it takes is a passitionate group to carry the torch forward, even if its under another name. Orlando will be grateful for those that do.
-e
Posted by: Eric Marden | April 21, 2009 3:53 PM