UnConference Versus Conference

It's a Conference. But not like we know it, Jim.


I attended my first UnConference last week. BarCamp Grand Rapids.

(There! I've fulfilled BarCamp rule #2!)

After this enlightening experience, I don't know if I can ever attend another ICAWKI (Industry Conference As We Know It).

What's the difference between a conference and an unconference?

The Conference: Unmitigated Commercialization. Most conferences are marked by:

• A carefully set agenda. Slick brochures. Ads in trade journals. Secure web page sign up. Pricey.
  


• Speakers, workshops, and panel discussions. Speeches carefully written, designed, and rehearsed.
  


• Those who present often overtly plug their companies with overblown introductions. (Eye rolling ensues.)
  


• Speakers pepper corporate brand names throughout their presentations. (More audience eye rolling.)
  


• PowerPoint slides, SWAG, and signage litter the landscape: laden with industry logos. (People adore free stuff.)
  

And of course, all this lovely commercialization keeps me happily employed as a consultant who crafts speeches and coaches presenters.

Sigh. Time to find a new way to make a living...

The UnConference: Amazing, Open-Source Pockets of Grass Roots Passion. The unconference approach is decidedly refreshing.

• No set agenda. Word of Mouth spread. Wikis and FaceBook pages for sign-ups. Low- to no-cost sign up.
  


• Limited corporate sponsorship (hey, somebody has to pay for the venue, presenting equipment, and snacks.)


• Three word introductions (Think: "I'm Laura Bergells." That's three. Or, "OK, let's start.")


• No overt product plugs: unless they are pertinent to the presentation.


• People who speak enthusiastically -- not for the ulterior motive of plugging their wares, but because they are passionate about sharing their ideas.

Slickly polished presentations at the unconference? Not so much.

More like smart, spirited, informal discussions with people who are in it for the joy of sharing knowledge -- and open to learning and building on the ideas of others.

Think of the tradition of Amateur Night at the Apollo in Harlem: if a performer stinks, the audience judges harshly. Boos. Hisses. Howls. Out comes the hook.

The same thing could happen if you come to BarCamp and try to pitch your product!

Conversely, if you give a stellar performance, your reward is continuing the conversation with the engaging, delightful people you meet.

And that's a much better reward than coming home with a pocketful of pens and heavily processed information with a commercial bias.

So what's your preference? Being force fed slickly produced corporate messages? Or sharing stories with people who are excited about their discoveries and can't wait to tell you about it?

The voice of your customer. If listening to the voice and vernacular and ideas of your customers is important to your company, you might want to check out an UnConference -- coming soon to a city near you (if it hasn't already.)

Because if it's happening in Grand Rapids, Michigan -- it's not just a Coaster thing.

How will the spread of the popularity of the UnConference and Social Media impact the ICAWKI? (Industry Conference As We Know It.)

Labels: PowerPoint, PowerPoint Presentation, social media

¶ 8/22/2008 02:47:00 PM