I’m writing this as I fly high above a cloud deck, bound for a connecting flight in Charlotte (being a meteorologist, I LOVE flying above the clouds). Thanks to some very generous friends, I’m off for Podcamp Boston 2. Having just finished the Podcast and New Media Expo a month ago, it feels a bit odd to be doing the conference thing again. I’ve been comparing and contrasting the two conferences since I made my reservations for Boston.
In a way, I’ve been more excited for Podcamp than for the Expo this year. The Expo this year was, as CC Chapman put it, more of a summer camp for me. I did not pay for the sessions at the Expo this year, so the education side was much less for me. Also, having gone last year, it was more about enjoying time with friends I had met last year, and to network with a few new people.
Boston will be completely different. There are over 70 free sessions for the 1200 1300 registered attendees, and I anticipate attending many. The demographic will also be substantially different at Podcamp. I would estimate that 80% of the people in attendance will have had little or no experience in podcasting and new media. For me, this trip is as much about networking and developing relationships with those people as it is meeting people for the first time. There will be some large companies that will be educating themselves about podcasting and new media. I hope to engage them and help them find ways to incorporate new media into their business.
My normal topic of choice, “Keeping the Fire Lit” (how to avoid podcast burnout and podfading) was trumped by the incredible presentation Neil Gorman will give. However, I will be able to sit on a panel of podcasters to participate in some Q&A for those in attendance. While I anticipate doing this throughout the event, it will be nice to be up in front of an organized group of eager minds again.
Of course, I have my list of people I’m anxious to see for the first time as well. Chris Penn, Michelle Woverton, Karen Cardoza, Mitch Joel, and others. If you follow me, let me know if you plan to be in Boston. I’d definitely love to meet you. YOU are the reasons why I continue to grow, explore, and influence in the new media sphere.
So, it’s time to put the game-face on, prepare to engage in conversations with a wide variety of people, and to take full advantage of the networking opportunities ahead of me.
… and get a few hugs in the process J
