BlogOrlando 06 Archive
Commentary by blog and social media consultant Josh Hallett on the use of blogs for public relations, media, marketing, communication & branding and from time-to-time the unsolicited opinion.
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Wow, I can't believe I'm actually posting about BlogOrlando 2008, but then again it's almost April. Quite a few friends have asked, "Are you doing BlogOrlando again this year?" Yes. At least as of now I am :-)
Back in 2006 when I planned the first event, you may remember that the original concept for BlogOrlando was a bit different than the actual event:
The original concept/title for this event was: Josh is Tired of Traveling Outside of Orlando so Everybody Come Here Con or JTTOOECH-Con. I wanted to get some friends to the area to meet, but more importantly spend some down-time at the theme parks with their families.
That private gathering of friends soon expanded to a public event that eventually became the first edition of BlogOrlando. Then things expanded even more with the 2007 event with almost 300 people taking part.
For 2008 we're blending the old with the new. BlogOrlando will once again be held on a Friday in late September. The main event cost (FREE) and format will not change, and perhaps expand, but there is a twist.
Reaching back to the original concept, BlogOrlando will now feature a private invite-only event on Wednesday. Just an intimate gathering of colleagues, clients, industry leaders, etc. Perhaps a limit of 30-40 folks. The topics will focus more on things like future trends, etc. I dare say Davos-like. The catch is, if you're invited to the Wednesday event, you are required to lead a session at the Friday event.
Here is a tentative schedule:
Wednesday:
- Invite-Only Event
- Special Event/Fun Thing at Orlando Theme Park for Session Leaders
Thursday
- Special Event/Fun Thing at Orlando Theme Park for Session Leaders
- Official BlogOrlando Reception
Friday
- Main Event
- Friday Night Reception
Saturday
- BlogOrlando Day at Orlando Theme Park
More thoughts soon.....
Disney was nice enough to host a huge fireworks show for the end of BlogOrlando. (Not Really)
Over the next few days I'll be posting some wrap-ups and links to other resources from the event. For now it's time to rest and get ready to fly to Atlanta.
For the next few days I'll be tied up with BlogOrlando. I might get a post or two up here, but I doubt it. You can follow the BlogOrlando action by visiting BlogOrlando.com of course, or using Technorati and Flickr to track BlogOrlando stuff.
I received an e-mail from somebody that was unfamiliar with the unconference format, they wondered if there was a 'catch' to this free event called BlogOrlando?
Thinking about it more, it does make sense. Many times financial planners or timeshare reps will hold a 'free' seminar to 'pitch' their services to the attendees. Well there are no pitches or hidden agendas, everything is out in the open.
The next question was how could I make money on this event? Simple answer, I'm not.
One of the great things about an event like this is that the costs are relatively low. I am very fortunate that the Rollins College PR department is helping cover half the cost of the facility rental which is $300. So there I am out of pocket $150. The wifi comes free with the facility, so no cost there. I need to buy some extension cords and power strips for the venue, but that's around $50. There is no breakfast planned since we start at 9 am, and lunch is on your own in the Winter Park area. There will be some basic printing/copying costs for the handouts and badges, but nothing huge.
In reality it's mostly my time that I have invested in the event. I am also fortunate to have two great helpers in Chris Scott from BlogZerk and Jeremy Harriington from Crawl Space Media. The two of them have provided hours of volunteer support and design services.
The only other real costs are the small deposits I had to put down on for the two dinners. When you tell a restaurant you're bringing 40/70 people they want some sort of guarantee.
To be honest, the restaurant reservations were the biggest issue I had. Since the event is free we could get a number of people that register and then don't show up, after all it's not costing them any money. I did have an idea to handle this though. I considered charging a basic registration fee, say $50, that would be returned to you when you showed up. With that process, the event would still be free, but it would make sure that those that registered showed up. It might be a good solution for other free events. What are your thoughts?
I have posted the initial list of BlogOrlando Sessions with their respective discussion leaders. Some of the minor details might change, but you know how that is. I haven't determined the exact batting order, but that will come in a day or two.
In the next few weeks I'll be posting in detail on each one of the topics over at the BlogOrlando Blog.
Looks like I might need to invite Mike Manuel to speak at BlogOrlando in September. With his spoof of the Budweiser 'Real Men of Genius' commercial he shows that he 'gets' the unconference format :-)
Today we solute you, Mr. A-List Blogger Keynote Speaker.
Blogging may have made you famous, but speaking will make you infamous.
You, bastion of the unkeynote, take to the stage, projecting to everyone in attendance that you're fully prepared to waste their time.
[chorus: you're in the Technorati 100!!]
My design pal Jeremy Harrington has created a new logo for BlogOrlando. As a quick reminder, BlogOrlando is an unconference that I am organizing in Orlando, FL. The event dates are September 22-24, 2006. The unconference will be held on Friday the 22nd and we'll be spending the rest of the weekend hanging out at the theme parks.
You can visit BlogOrlando for all the details and check out the attendee list. Of course you can also register online :-)
Announcing BlogOrlando, an un-conference to be held in Orlando, Florida on Friday, September 22nd through Sunday, September 24th, 2006. What started off as an informal gathering of friends might just turn into something bigger.
Hyku, in partnership with Rollins College will host this FREE event that is open to bloggers and non-bloggers alike from Florida and anywhere else (so far we have one international attendee). We hope to bring together a good cross-section of folks to discuss blogging, podcasting, public relations, social media, citizen's journalism and other related topics. In addition to the Friday event we are planning some outings at the local theme parks over the weekend. This event is as much a social/family gathering as it is a 'work' gathering, so bring the family (kids included).
Shown below is a tentative schedule for the weekend:
Thursday (9/21): Travel day for most, perhaps an informal dinner that night
Friday - day (9/22): BlogOrlando un-conference at Rollins College
Friday - evening (9/22): Full-on geek dinner somewhere in Orlando
Saturday (9/23): Blogger day at one of the Disney parks
Sunday (9/24): Travel day, or stay an extra day at the Disney parks
In the coming weeks I will begin to post a schedule for the un-conference portion of the event.
As you can see the weekend will feature time at the Disney theme parks. We'll finalize what park we're going to do on which day. If we have a large contingent of families/kids coming in we can look to organize a Friday activity for those folks.
The original concept/title for this event was: Josh is Tired of Traveling Outside of Orlando so Everybody Come Here Con or JTTOOECH-Con. I wanted to get some friends to the area to meet, but more importantly spend some down-time at the theme parks with their families. Thinking about it more I also wanted to bring together some folks from the growing blog community in Florida that normally couldn't afford to travel out of state (and pay) for other events. I hope to achieve the best of both with this event. Of course having a draw like the Disney parks isn't a bad thing :-)
What will it cost? Nothing, well almost nothing. The un-coference will be free, but of course you need to get here and cover your hotel and theme park tickets. If you're from the area and only plan to attend on Friday, then all you're paying is gas and your lunch.
If you want to get a hotel reservation you can contact the EO Inn or the Embassy Suites in Downtown Orlando. Since this is an un-conference we don't have room blocks or special rates.
As more details become available I will post them here and over at BlogOrlando.com. I'll also have a registration form up shortly. For now if you intend on coming leave a comment below. Online registration is now available.
Update: upcoming.org link.
