What I learned as a RE BarCamp Organizer

October 10, 2009 by Nannette Saunders
Filed under REBar Camp

RE BarCamp Lynchburg is over. It was so much fun being with so many fantastic minds in one room. I wanted to make a note of the things I have learned as a RE BarCamp Organizer.

Don’t plan any major appointments the day after sleep in.
Why talk when we can tweet?
Create an environment where EVERYONE engages.
In the beginning planning stages you may have many volunteers and in the end it may come down to just a few but that is ok.
Negotiate EVERYTHING.
Consider insurance for the event
As an organizer consider you personal liability, (I discussed this with my attorney)
Make sure attendees have snacks
What happens at the event is more important than if everyone can get on line.
Get as many local sponsors as possible.
The event is for the local people, keep the focus local
Get feed back what people want to talk about in the morning and adjust after lunch if needed.
Don’t micro-manage.
It is a lot more stressful than you would think.
Allow others of RE.net to be involved in the planning.
Try to do something different just for your RE BarCamp that others have not done yet. ie… Lynchburg Squares & pickle pens
Have fun
Organizing a RE BarCamp is harder than you think it is going to be.
Organizing a RE BarCamp is not as hard as you think it is going to be.
You can’t please everyone
The virtual assistant that helped with RE BarCamp Lynchburg was a huge advantage
Don’t be shy use the media, TV, Newspaper & Radio to promote.
Follow up, Follow up, Follow up. Check everything twice, three times.
Delegate, Delegate, Delegate!
Thank your sponsors over and over.
Get everything is writing.
Use of a screen or projector is okay but discourage power point “presentations”. Encourage “Demonstrations”

Some of you have been organizers you may add to the list. Some of you have thoughts of what you would like to do if you were an organizer. Please share your ideas as I have just begun I am sure.

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