Conference1.0 vs 2.0
I wrote this post more than 2 months ago, but somehow I forgot to upload it. When evaluating the conference I found it somewhere in a word file. Quite funny!
The Next Web
Organizing a conference requires certain skills, and as Boris nor I have never organized a conference as ambitious as The Next Web we decided to do only the things we are good at (leveraging our network in the internet industry) and outsource the rest. Enters Live Solution. Live Solution is THE new media event organization of the Netherlands and they are actually organizing the event.
We’re ambitious, that’s one thing. And we are not afraid to rewrite the rules of how to organize a conference (conference1.0).
Rules of organizing a conference1.0:
1. Bring up your site at least 7 months in advance of the conference.
2. Choose a theme that is wide enough so you can attract a lot of people
3. Be profitable
4. Find sponsors in advance (so before you’re website goes live)
5. Have your speakers confirmed (you can always ‘change your mind’)
6. Get one big keynote speaker
7. Never organize a conference during the summer (mid June to mid September)
8. Do something interactive, otherwise the attendees will get bored (workshops, panel discussions)
Rules of organizing a conference2.0 (according to us):
&%^*$ the rules of organizing a conference1.0:
ad 1. 7 months ahead!?? we have enough other things to do and you probably as well. Tell me: which web-savvy is scheduling 7 months ahead? If the conference is a ‘must go’ and you already have an appointment on that day, reschedule! Or better invite your appointment to join you to the conference (great way of actually doing business!)
ad 2. Choose a theme that interests only a few people, we have little space so we want as targeted attendees as possible.
Ad 3. Why? Break even is good enough.
Ad 4. Talk to your sponsors along the way. Turn your sponsors into partners, get them involved in the process.
ad 5. Aim high, but don’t lie. Get the best speakers in the field out there, call them, mail them, sing for them, do anything to get them over here. And if they cannot attend they’ll help you find even a better substitute!
Ad 6. Why only one? The Next Web is a conference where European web-savvies come together. Every keynote speaker has to be great.
Ad 7. Organize a conference in the summer! Don’t be afraid of holidays. Hollidays are great, only the real interested people will attend. Not to speak of the other advantahes of doing it during the summer, like (1) the weather is probably nice, so every one enters with a smile on her / his face, (2) Competition of other events (if any) = 0 because it is summer!
Ad 8. Get the best speakers, so nobody will get bored. Reduce the interactive part to the minimum.
Furthermore:
Enjoy! Don’t Just do it, Do IT
It’s gonna be a great conference.
Update (July 10, 2006): I think it was a great conference! I hope you experienced it as great as well (feedback is always welcome). I believe it was an inspiring day with interesting people, great speakers, great Showcases and the best conclusion ever: The Web is UNDER-HYPED! :)
The Next Web
Organizing a conference requires certain skills, and as Boris nor I have never organized a conference as ambitious as The Next Web we decided to do only the things we are good at (leveraging our network in the internet industry) and outsource the rest. Enters Live Solution. Live Solution is THE new media event organization of the Netherlands and they are actually organizing the event.
We’re ambitious, that’s one thing. And we are not afraid to rewrite the rules of how to organize a conference (conference1.0).
Rules of organizing a conference1.0:
1. Bring up your site at least 7 months in advance of the conference.
2. Choose a theme that is wide enough so you can attract a lot of people
3. Be profitable
4. Find sponsors in advance (so before you’re website goes live)
5. Have your speakers confirmed (you can always ‘change your mind’)
6. Get one big keynote speaker
7. Never organize a conference during the summer (mid June to mid September)
8. Do something interactive, otherwise the attendees will get bored (workshops, panel discussions)
Rules of organizing a conference2.0 (according to us):
&%^*$ the rules of organizing a conference1.0:
ad 1. 7 months ahead!?? we have enough other things to do and you probably as well. Tell me: which web-savvy is scheduling 7 months ahead? If the conference is a ‘must go’ and you already have an appointment on that day, reschedule! Or better invite your appointment to join you to the conference (great way of actually doing business!)
ad 2. Choose a theme that interests only a few people, we have little space so we want as targeted attendees as possible.
Ad 3. Why? Break even is good enough.
Ad 4. Talk to your sponsors along the way. Turn your sponsors into partners, get them involved in the process.
ad 5. Aim high, but don’t lie. Get the best speakers in the field out there, call them, mail them, sing for them, do anything to get them over here. And if they cannot attend they’ll help you find even a better substitute!
Ad 6. Why only one? The Next Web is a conference where European web-savvies come together. Every keynote speaker has to be great.
Ad 7. Organize a conference in the summer! Don’t be afraid of holidays. Hollidays are great, only the real interested people will attend. Not to speak of the other advantahes of doing it during the summer, like (1) the weather is probably nice, so every one enters with a smile on her / his face, (2) Competition of other events (if any) = 0 because it is summer!
Ad 8. Get the best speakers, so nobody will get bored. Reduce the interactive part to the minimum.
Furthermore:
Enjoy! Don’t Just do it, Do IT
It’s gonna be a great conference.
Update (July 10, 2006): I think it was a great conference! I hope you experienced it as great as well (feedback is always welcome). I believe it was an inspiring day with interesting people, great speakers, great Showcases and the best conclusion ever: The Web is UNDER-HYPED! :)
2 Comments:
Congratulations guys on a great conference! It was an absolute pleasure working with you.
It was a great day. An excellent opportunity to get to know the people behind the best european start-ups. Boris, Patrick, I had a great time with you guys. I'm looking forward to the next one. Keep it up!!
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