TechKnowledge09 – Another Conference that Missed the Social Opportunity
Jan 29, 2009 Social Learning SIG
Not that TK09 is a BAD conference – there are many great things about it. But after the last couple years of attending I decided not to attend this last one for a few reasons.
At the end of the last conference I sent in an informal proposal for some changes through email to the organizers. One was to do have internet access and make it easy for people to blog the sessions (and do other things if they want). Another was to focus on Social Learning – almost have a conference within the conference focused on that. And there were a few other small ones. Unfortunately, “Your ideas will be considered” meant that we will ignore them. Sour grapes? No. I would love to go to any great conference if I have a great experience. But with out that I would be missing out.
Fast forward to today. The result? No (or incredibly limited) internet access. The attendees can’t blog the sessions. Less free press for them, the session and keynote speakers and less value shown all around. Without trying something new the conference seems to be the same-old-same-old. Good session speakers, to be sure. But there is something about the overall experience that solidifies attendance. You might not realize it, but there is a ‘user design’ aspect to conference.
Then, I think about other conferences getting it right. Ones which may not have as many people as TK09.
Actually, I hope someone posts that it is not as bad as I am hearing on Twitter (@dwilkinsnh not being able to demo, @moehlert not posting all because of lack of access and a focus on technology instead of capability) and corrects me.
This all leads to a couple thoughts: 1) My main point is not to be critical but instead to point out that conferences can – and SHOULD – be SO much better than they have in the past; 2) I would love to see the face of conferences change with more of a user design built in. Make it EASY for us to be there and attend. As @writetechnology stated: “We’ve all been spoiled by DevLearn” and other conferences which are getting it and continue to evolve to get it better every year. Yet, not being there I cannot make a full judgment and I fully admit that I may be wrong. I can only take in what I am hearing about in other ways.
Unfortunately, not going also means I miss out on the networking and seeing friends again – that I really miss. Hopefully, TK10 will learn from lessons of the past and will find me, and many other happy attendees there and blogging and tweeting and happy. Hopefully, we can all learn from this and make conferences better each year.
January 29th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Many of your observations from afar are correct. Connectivity is bad. Even for wireless access from providers such as AT&T; many 3G dead spots and extremely slow.
On your other point, I suggest that there is far too much emphasis on social, collaborative, and Web 2.0 technologies. Maybe your suggestion for a conference within a conference is a good idea. Provide a focus on those technologies for those that want it – for the whole or part of a conference. But then focus on other aspects, for those who don’t.
Maybe my bias here, is that too many sessions are still too focused on entry level nature of Web 2.0 technology; as they have been for the last three years. Maybe my gripe is that there needs to be more intermediate and advanced tracks for even Web 2.0.
Finally, I will say that ASTD just does not grasp using technology to support and expand conferences. One of the worst attempts I have seen was at the Workforce Innovations Conference in 2008. Good idea – poorly executed.
January 29th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I would agree with you on two fronts.
1) More of a focus for those interested in Web 2.0 for those who want it, and for those who don’t they can ignore it.
2) There is a focus on basics. But in talking with other conference presenters, when we try to go deeper we wind up having to go back to the beginning. Right when we think everyone is ready to take a step forward we find out there are many (if not most) who are trying to grasp it for the first time.
But, then again, there are those who need the next level – “I get it on a philosophical level, but what do I do now and how do I put it into practice?”
It is this second stage that we are SLOWLY moving toward. I wish it were more quickly.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:49 am
I am currently sitting in a conference session with Tony Karrer, talking about blogging, wikis, RSS and other tools for Web 2.0
The internet signal is weak and reliable internet access would surely enhance the conference experience. The conference organizers are looking at trying to get the RIO to package internet access with room bookings for next year to help fill the conference room block, and should help take care of some of the issues next year.
I was at Techknowledge 2007 at the Riviera and the venue at the Rio is by far superior. The rooms are large, the presentation equipment works, and there are two learning labs that have 20+ computers that are wired that conference participants can use as well as the ASTD job bank. The conference at the Riviera was riddled with technical problems.
Techknowledge is a very good conference in my estimation but can be improved. The educational sessions that I have attended all had excellent presenters with engaging presentations.
Come out next year, I am sure the kinks will be ironed out.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:54 am
Thanks for the feedback (in session, none-the-less!). Great to hear the RIO is a great place to have it.
Ya, I remember TK07 – pretty difficult. Unfortunately TK08 had a rocky venue change, which wasn’t their fault. But they did a fabulous job in pulling that part off. I was impressed.
Not surprised the sessions are great. There are some great people there.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
The big problem is how much convention centers & hotels charge for wireless internet access. It’s very expensive. The association I’m with usually only has hot spots because of the cost.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:58 am
I agree. WIFI should be one of their services….