Blog for PodCamp NYC 2.0

So after a few weeks to relax (okay, six months) we've got the new site up for PodCampNYC2 and are very excited to be at Brooklyn Poly for the event.

We're doing some new things this year. First of all, we're expanding to two days from one since we had so many amazing speakers and sessions last April. We heard a lot of great feedback, much of which was people saying, "you had too many great sessions...I wish I could have gone to more of them!" Hence the two days versus one.

Plus, we wanted to have one of the days be a weekday so folks who normally never go to conferences/work events on weekends (to say, be with their families which we heartily support) could come on Friday to experience a Podcamp.

The organizing team (and there's about fifteen of us so far this year) are also working to see how best to mix things up to keep the event interesting for folks who have been to multiple Podcamps or new media conferences. We'll stick by the tenets/practices that define a Podcamp (community, education, law of two feet, putting up our ledger, etc.) but will work to see how we can make this year's event as relevant and unique as possible. More on that soon.

Finally, we had a lot of great feedback on our venue last year (the New Yorker hotel). Some folks said they loved it, others had critiques which we really appreciated. So first off, we wanted to let you know we heard you and registered your thoughts, and will work to implement feedback that will translate to Brooklyn Poly as best we can.

That said, let me tell you the venue that counts most when you come to any Podcamp - your mind. Some folks will wonder why we're at a school this year. If we were at a hotel, others would wonder why we were at a hotel. It's normal to ask these questions, and it's normal to have expectations.

But I'd ask you to do something as a favor to our team/event that's not always easy to do. Put aside your expectations and come to the event with as open a mind as possible. We could ask you to remember that the organizers work for free and spend hundreds of hours putting together a free event so we may not cover every base you come to expect at other events. But we won't, because we're so proud of what was accomplished at last year's event because of ALL the people who participated, whether they led sessions or came to a Podcamp for the first time.

This is your conference. You truly do make it your event, whether or not you help organize beforehand. And the greatest value you'll get out of PCNYC2 even before you come is to embrace the fact that when you come you'll be challenged, enlightened, frustrated, moved, and multiple other things we hope you'll experience in the frenzied, fantastical fray that is the experience of Podcamp.

We look forward to hearing what you have to say. We look forward to your feedback up until the event so we can make the event a revolutionary and transformative experience (we aim high here).

And we look forward to seeing you in February.

Best regards,
John C. Havens
Lead Organizer
johnhavens AT blogtalkradio DOT com