Canada's Largest Social Media Gathering Converges in Toronto
February 19, 2010 @ 06:15PM
TORONTO - PodCamp Toronto 2010, a free two-day conference exploring the world of new media community tools, is taking place February 20-21, 2010 at the Rogers Communication Centre at Ryerson University in Toronto.
“PodCamp Toronto resonates with hobbyists and professionals alike,” says Eden Spodek, a member of the volunteer PodCamp Toronto 2010 organizing team. “Yet, we share a passion for storytelling. That common thread is weaved into all of the sessions. There's something for everyone.”
Key features of the event include:
- PodCamp Toronto 2010 is a free event. Costs are offset by event's sponsors such as SMG, Chevrolet, CNW Group, High Road Communications, Microsoft WebsiteSpark, Rogers, Voices.com, and Web Host Industry Review.
- Anyone can register to deliver a session or volunteer to help by signing up at PodCampToronto.com. Sessions can be on any aspect of social media.
- This entire event is managed by volunteers offering their time, talent and efforts to discuss their passion for building community, blogging, social media, pod/vod casting and much more.
Over 1,350 people have signed up to explore the cutting edge of new media in this unconference setting. This means that PodCamp Toronto 2010 is organized by the participants for the participants. The participants design and manage the content of the sessions. “Our role [as organizers] is to set up an infrastructure to make the whole event work, such as organize a location and facilitate the schedule,” says Connie Crosby, a member of the PCTO organizing team. “However, it is up to participants to set the agenda for the weekend and develop the subjects and content they would like to see.”
It does not stop with the design of the event. “It is up to participants to pursue what they want to get out of the weekend the most, and find the conversations and sessions that fill those needs,” says Crosby.
With over 60 sessions scheduled, there's something for everyone. Some of the scheduled sessions include:
Crowdsourcing Technical Communities with CrisisCommons
with Heather Leson, Brian Chick, Rachel Young & Jeff Kolesnikowicz
CrisisCommons (Toronto) and CrisisCamp (Haiti)- Toronto is part of a large, International volunteer movement of technologists, social media/organizational knowledge workers, programmers and Geocode mappers working together to crowdsource collaborative open source technology. They aim to "help the helpers": disaster relief organizers from the large non-governmental organizations in Haiti. This session discusses their ongoing efforts.
Usability & User Experience with Jeff MacArthur
An overview of usability concepts for the web, mobile, and other devices, followed by several quick case studies and recent research in the area.
Recording and Livestreaming a Podcast from Two or More Cities
with Bill Deys & Will Spaetzel
During this practical session, learn how to manage co-hosts in different locations, get great audio quality and how to include an audience with a simultaneous live stream. Demonstrations of Skype, Audacity and uStream are part of this discussion.
BizCamp: Showcasing Intellectual Capital at RBC Global Asset Management
with Mircea Baldean
In this session, business meets social media. Learn how we chose to use the right digital communication vehicles and how to make them a dependable resource.
Learn more about PodCamp Toronto 2010 and register by visiting the event website. http://2010.podcamptoronto.com/
Quotes
“PodCamp Toronto resonates with hobbyists and professionals alike. Yet, we share a passion for storytelling. That common thread is weaved into all of the sessions. There's something for everyone.”
“Our role [as organizers] is to set up an infrastructure to make the whole event work, such as organize a location and facilitate the schedule. However, it is up to participants to set the agenda for the weekend and develop the subjects and content they would like to see.”
“It is up to participants to pursue what they want to get out of the weekend the most, and find the conversations and sessions that fill those needs."
"The international appeal of learning how to make media for one's self has driven PodCamp to be very successful since we launched it. Because each community makes their own PodCamp, they are all unique and powerful representations of what people can do to equip themselves for the future."
Boilerplate
PodCamp Toronto is an unconference aimed at bringing new media enthusiasts and professionals, bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers and more together to explore the cutting edge of new and social media. Not limited to just podcasting, PodCamp Toronto 2010 will offer an array of sessions covering everything from how to create your own podcast to the importance of building communities in a 2.0. world. Less formal than the typical conference, PodCamp creates an environment that encourages speakers and attendees alike to share, discuss and learn. PodCamp Toronto 2010 will be held February 20-21, 2010 at the Rogers Communication Centre at Ryerson University.
HISTORY: The first PodCamp was held September 8-10, 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts. Now, PodCamps are being held worldwide. The first PodCamp Toronto was held February 24-25, 2007 and has been held annually since.
"The international appeal of learning how to make media for one's self has driven PodCamp to be very successful since we launched it. Because each community makes their own PodCamp, they are all unique and powerful representations of what people can do to equip themselves for the future."
Chris Brogan, co-founder of PodCamp
UNCONFERENCE: An unconference deviates from the structure of a traditional conference in numerous ways. There is no hierarchy between speakers and attendees, giving anyone an opportunity to speak and share their ideas. Instead of a single industry, unconferences reach out to entire communities, welcoming everyone interested in the subject matter. Additionally, Participants are encouraged to be active, not passive. They can be found blogging, tweeting, recording, taking pictures and sharing while sessions are taking place.
PodCamp Toronto 2010 Organizing Team:
Mircea Baldean
Katie Boland
Connie Crosby
Mike Dodd
Dave Fleet
Leona Hobbs
Rob Lee
Heather Leson
John Leschinski
Randy Matheson
John Meadows
Sheri Moore
Daniele Rossi
Eden Spodek
Michelle Tampoya
Tommy Vallier
Mark van Tol
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Angela Wills
I attended this year and found it to be fantastic. The sessions were very good and the people were a blast. I also really enjoyed the social event after. As a single mom who works from home I don't get out all that much.
So it was really cool to be in a whole pub full of people who actually understand what it is I do for a living!
February 22, 2010 @ 06:12PM