Event Review - Your 2 cents
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citymark
May 19, 2009, 9:01:26 AM5/19/09
to ChangeCamp Ottawa
Given that you've had a few days to think about ChangeCamp and
everything that happened on Saturday, please take a few minutes to
share your thoughts on:
1. What went well? Why?
2. What could have been improved?
3. How would you do things differently next time?
everything that happened on Saturday, please take a few minutes to
share your thoughts on:
1. What went well? Why?
2. What could have been improved?
3. How would you do things differently next time?
Peter Childs
May 19, 2009, 11:14:24 AM5/19/09
to changeca...@googlegroups.com
I thought that generally the event was really, really good.
I personally was surprised that the pitching of meetings worked as well
as it did, as I had concerns that the format would inhibit presenters
from coming forward. One thing that might help next time is to open
fewer simultaneous sessions until the day is fairly evenly filled. This
ensures that there are good sessions to keep people for the entire day
rather that being heavy in the morning and thinning as the late
afternoon arrives. (I assume that those who pitch sessions are likely
better leaders than those who do not so are better hooks for staying).
Session sizes were generally good and the circular format was fine.
The room was acoustically live making hearing difficult for many people.
A few dividers might help if they were between groups.
I also would not hold it during a long weekend. That alone probably cost
20-30 attendees signing up but dropping out.
I suggest that you consider a follow-up in September-October as that
would allows people to reconnect and helps build the broad community as
an entity. We did this for BarCamps and our numbers increased 20%+ each
time - which was satisfying but more importantly the community began to
self identify in part because the events allowed them to run into each
other and build links where none naturally occurs. These events help
build the weak links in the community and if the events are too far
apart people don't have enough opportunities to re-engage each other and
the continuity between events is lost because organizers or participants
drift over longer times.
Well Done.
I personally was surprised that the pitching of meetings worked as well
as it did, as I had concerns that the format would inhibit presenters
from coming forward. One thing that might help next time is to open
fewer simultaneous sessions until the day is fairly evenly filled. This
ensures that there are good sessions to keep people for the entire day
rather that being heavy in the morning and thinning as the late
afternoon arrives. (I assume that those who pitch sessions are likely
better leaders than those who do not so are better hooks for staying).
Session sizes were generally good and the circular format was fine.
The room was acoustically live making hearing difficult for many people.
A few dividers might help if they were between groups.
I also would not hold it during a long weekend. That alone probably cost
20-30 attendees signing up but dropping out.
I suggest that you consider a follow-up in September-October as that
would allows people to reconnect and helps build the broad community as
an entity. We did this for BarCamps and our numbers increased 20%+ each
time - which was satisfying but more importantly the community began to
self identify in part because the events allowed them to run into each
other and build links where none naturally occurs. These events help
build the weak links in the community and if the events are too far
apart people don't have enough opportunities to re-engage each other and
the continuity between events is lost because organizers or participants
drift over longer times.
Well Done.
henry jean-luc
May 19, 2009, 7:59:13 PM5/19/09
to changeca...@googlegroups.com
Hello,
I hope this will be useful. :)
I loved ChangeCamp Ottawa and I'd like to thank you all for making this a reality!
Regards,
--
Jean-Luc Henry
http://blog.newlimits.org
1. What went well? Why?
- Very well structure organization and very good communications.
- Very good diversity of attendees (because of communications serious).
- Very good event location.
- Some very good sessions.
- Perfect weather for such an event (indoor).
- Very good photographer (some Flichr pitctures are so good!).
- Very nice Website.
- Great food organization.
- Registration was perfect (eventbrite.com).
- Pathable is also a very interesting tool (http://changecamp-ca.pathable.com/)
- T-Shirst, Logo, Video are wonderful!
- Organizers and Volunteer teams.
- ... and probably lots more.
2. What could have been improved? and How would you do things differently next time?
- More registration places (overbooking). It is a free event and apparently only 50% (75 on 150) of peoples having registered came to the event (even the fact it was a rainy day). It would have been good to accept something like 250 registrations.
- I would have loved a 2 (or may-be 3) days event. With 2 days, we would have had the time to work on projects or presentations that need time. Personally, I would have done another presentation on the second day because on the first day I didn't know that much attendees interests. Also, some people would like to come on the first day, other the second day and some like me during the 2 (or 3) days.
- Green ChangeCamp event! ChangeCamp is somehow about creating a better world. I would have love to see sustainable practices regarding waste reduction, energy savings, transportation, food and beverages. The worst part was to see that huge amount of dishes droped in the bin.
- Veggy/Vegan food. There was not many egg sandwishes and not every vegeterian eat egg and no vegan eat egg. It would have been great to have vegan food (like that you are sure that eveyone can eat it).
- A better wiki and a way to share ideas of change with other events and the public (I'm working on it...)
- It would be great that someone create an online
I hope this will be useful. :)
I loved ChangeCamp Ottawa and I'd like to thank you all for making this a reality!
Regards,
--
Jean-Luc Henry
http://blog.newlimits.org
Rob Giggey
May 20, 2009, 9:24:52 AM5/20/09
to ChangeCamp Ottawa
1. What went well? Why?
2. What could have been improved?
3. How would you do things differently next time?
On May 19, 7:59 pm, henry jean-luc <jean.luc.he...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> 1. What went well? Why?
>
>
>
> - Very good diversity of attendees (because of communications serious).
> - Very good event location.
> - Some very good sessions.
> - Perfect weather for such an event (indoor).
> - Very good photographer (some Flichr
> pitctures<http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=cco09&s=int>are so good!).
> - Very nice Website.
> - Great food organization.
> - Registration was perfect (eventbrite.com).
> - Pathable is also a very interesting tool (
> http://changecamp-ca.pathable.com/)
> - T-Shirst, Logo, Video are wonderful!
> - Organizers and Volunteer teams.
> - ... and probably lots more.
>
> 2. What could have been improved? and How would you do things differently
>
> > next time?
>
> - More registration places (overbooking). It is a free event and
> 2. What could have been improved? and How would you do things differently
>
> > next time?
>
> apparently only 50% (75 on 150) of peoples having registered came to the
> event (even the fact it was a rainy day). It would have been good to accept
> something like 250 registrations.
> - I would have loved a 2 (or may-be 3) days event. With 2 days, we would
> event (even the fact it was a rainy day). It would have been good to accept
> something like 250 registrations.
> have had the time to work on projects or presentations that need time.
> Personally, I would have done another presentation on the second day because
> on the first day I didn't know that much attendees interests. Also, some
> people would like to come on the first day, other the second day and some
> like me during the 2 (or 3) days.
> - Green ChangeCamp event! ChangeCamp is somehow about creating a better
> Personally, I would have done another presentation on the second day because
> on the first day I didn't know that much attendees interests. Also, some
> people would like to come on the first day, other the second day and some
> like me during the 2 (or 3) days.
> world. I would have love to see sustainable practices regarding waste
> reduction, energy savings, transportation, food and beverages. The worst
> part was to see that huge amount of dishes droped in the bin.
> - Veggy/Vegan food. There was not many egg sandwishes and not every
> reduction, energy savings, transportation, food and beverages. The worst
> part was to see that huge amount of dishes droped in the bin.
> vegeterian eat egg and no vegan eat egg. It would have been great to have
> vegan food (like that you are sure that eveyone can eat it).
> - A better wiki and a way to share ideas of change with other events and
> vegan food (like that you are sure that eveyone can eat it).
> the public (I'm working on it...)
> - It would be great that someone create an online
Rob Giggey
May 20, 2009, 9:33:53 AM5/20/09
to ChangeCamp Ottawa
1. What went well? Why?
- I thought that logistically it all turned out very well. The
volunteers all showed up and helped out in what was definitely an
unlead group.
- Sponsors stepped in and covered everything from food to location to
wi-fi to shirts, etc. They were all great to help.
- Attendees did a great job in stepping up and offering discussion
topics and participating.
- Having eventbrite and pathable up and running was great, and
hopefully available for next time.
- The staff at City Hall were very accommodating
- City Hall provides a nice symbolic location for the event.
2. What could have been improved? and How would you do things
differently next time?
the chambers next time, or select a new venue
- If all of the people showed up that were expected the noise would
have been very bad
- Need paper recycling option - all of the cups and plates went in the
garbage
- Food drive was not really successful - maybe 50lbs of food :(
- Schedule time between sessions, having them back-to-back meant that
some started the sessions immediately while many strolled in - you
then miss some of the conversation.
- Long weekend did hurt attendance I think
- Get some senior Municipal and Fed. administration in attendance, and
would have been encouraging to see some Councilors or their staff at
the event - might need more proactive approaches next time.
> Hello,
>
> 1. What went well? Why?
>
>
>
>
> 1. What went well? Why?
>
>
>
> - Very well structure organization and very good communications.
> - Very good diversity of attendees (because of communications serious).
> - Very good event location.
> - Some very good sessions.
> - Perfect weather for such an event (indoor).
> - Very good photographer (some Flichr
> pitctures<http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=cco09&s=int>are so good!).
> - Very nice Website.
> - Great food organization.
> - Registration was perfect (eventbrite.com).
> - Pathable is also a very interesting tool (
> - Very good diversity of attendees (because of communications serious).
> - Very good event location.
> - Some very good sessions.
> - Perfect weather for such an event (indoor).
> - Very good photographer (some Flichr
> pitctures<http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=cco09&s=int>are so good!).
> - Very nice Website.
> - Great food organization.
> - Registration was perfect (eventbrite.com).
> http://changecamp-ca.pathable.com/)
> - T-Shirst, Logo, Video are wonderful!
> - Organizers and Volunteer teams.
> - ... and probably lots more.
> - Organizers and Volunteer teams.
>
> 2. What could have been improved? and How would you do things differently
>
> > next time?
>
> - More registration places (overbooking). It is a free event and
> 2. What could have been improved? and How would you do things differently
>
> > next time?
>
> apparently only 50% (75 on 150) of peoples having registered came to the
> event (even the fact it was a rainy day). It would have been good to accept
> something like 250 registrations.
> - I would have loved a 2 (or may-be 3) days event. With 2 days, we would
> event (even the fact it was a rainy day). It would have been good to accept
> something like 250 registrations.
> have had the time to work on projects or presentations that need time.
> Personally, I would have done another presentation on the second day because
> on the first day I didn't know that much attendees interests. Also, some
> people would like to come on the first day, other the second day and some
> like me during the 2 (or 3) days.
> - Green ChangeCamp event! ChangeCamp is somehow about creating a better
> Personally, I would have done another presentation on the second day because
> on the first day I didn't know that much attendees interests. Also, some
> people would like to come on the first day, other the second day and some
> like me during the 2 (or 3) days.
> world. I would have love to see sustainable practices regarding waste
> reduction, energy savings, transportation, food and beverages. The worst
> part was to see that huge amount of dishes droped in the bin.
> - Veggy/Vegan food. There was not many egg sandwishes and not every
> reduction, energy savings, transportation, food and beverages. The worst
> part was to see that huge amount of dishes droped in the bin.
> vegeterian eat egg and no vegan eat egg. It would have been great to have
> vegan food (like that you are sure that eveyone can eat it).
> - A better wiki and a way to share ideas of change with other events and
> vegan food (like that you are sure that eveyone can eat it).
> the public (I'm working on it...)
> - It would be great that someone create an online
Jennifer Bell
May 20, 2009, 10:11:42 AM5/20/09
to ChangeCamp Ottawa
Congratulations, organizers, for hosting a terrific event.
I'd like to echo the idea of a follow up event, or some mechanism for
continuing the conversations that were started. In truth, almost
nothing can happen in an hour long discussion... The key is to
capture as much as possible and provide a structure for building
groups of people interested in seeing somethig move forward.
It would be great if each of the sessions were turned into an online
group (using pathable? ning?), that people had the option of joining.
That would allow discussions to continue, and self organization for
the next steps.
Jennifer
I'd like to echo the idea of a follow up event, or some mechanism for
continuing the conversations that were started. In truth, almost
nothing can happen in an hour long discussion... The key is to
capture as much as possible and provide a structure for building
groups of people interested in seeing somethig move forward.
It would be great if each of the sessions were turned into an online
group (using pathable? ning?), that people had the option of joining.
That would allow discussions to continue, and self organization for
the next steps.
Jennifer
scilib
May 25, 2009, 11:01:35 AM5/25/09
to ChangeCamp Ottawa
Went well
* everyone lined up to propose sessions
* most sessions ran themselves well; people self-organised
* developers self-organised ("ChangeLab")
* small video cams, quick interviews and uploads
* Twitter
* the semi-pro photographer guy (mcmphotography) and Ming's photos
* got right into the session proposals, quick launch for event
* liveblogging was pretty good I think
* wifi
Needs improvement
* attendance was much lower than the 148 final confirmed registrations
* day was too long
* the immediate after-event: I don't think any of the organisers made
it out to the pub
* the web after-event: not a lot of online buzz
* the media after-event: not a lot of media coverage
* would have been nice if EventBots uploaded live during the event,
not after
* not much photo coverage other than the two photographers (mcm and
ming)
* the wiki
* I was disappointed to see bottled water from the catering,
particularly since there's a good water fountain right by the
washrooms
* what the heck happened with the badges?
* EventBrite 1) users can't unregister 2) Waiting List was a nightmare
to manage
next year: just open up more slots for participants, no waiting list
* didn't get much use out of council chambers
* no live clock (to manage session time)
* no big live twitter stream screens
* not sure about the utility of announcing end of sessions over mike -
just wanted to make sure sessions didn't run long and screw up the
grid - going group to group probably better approach
* didn't coordinate/emphasize individual session reporter, facilitator
roles enough
* not sure how much session capture we got
* not sure we got many concrete next steps
* no political leadership came other than McCoy (who came for
StimulusWatch.ca) - need earlier, targetted invites
Misc / Neutral
* didn't use any of the butterfly, bumblebee stuff
* Pathable got ok usage
-- Richard Akerman
* everyone lined up to propose sessions
* most sessions ran themselves well; people self-organised
* developers self-organised ("ChangeLab")
* small video cams, quick interviews and uploads
* the semi-pro photographer guy (mcmphotography) and Ming's photos
* got right into the session proposals, quick launch for event
* liveblogging was pretty good I think
* wifi
Needs improvement
* attendance was much lower than the 148 final confirmed registrations
* day was too long
* the immediate after-event: I don't think any of the organisers made
it out to the pub
* the web after-event: not a lot of online buzz
* the media after-event: not a lot of media coverage
* would have been nice if EventBots uploaded live during the event,
not after
* not much photo coverage other than the two photographers (mcm and
ming)
* the wiki
* I was disappointed to see bottled water from the catering,
particularly since there's a good water fountain right by the
washrooms
* what the heck happened with the badges?
* EventBrite 1) users can't unregister 2) Waiting List was a nightmare
to manage
next year: just open up more slots for participants, no waiting list
* didn't get much use out of council chambers
* no live clock (to manage session time)
* no big live twitter stream screens
* not sure about the utility of announcing end of sessions over mike -
just wanted to make sure sessions didn't run long and screw up the
grid - going group to group probably better approach
* didn't coordinate/emphasize individual session reporter, facilitator
roles enough
* not sure how much session capture we got
* not sure we got many concrete next steps
* no political leadership came other than McCoy (who came for
StimulusWatch.ca) - need earlier, targetted invites
Misc / Neutral
* didn't use any of the butterfly, bumblebee stuff
* Pathable got ok usage
-- Richard Akerman
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