It’s a Wrap! Feedback and Thoughts on RE Bar Camp Phoenix
April 26, 2009 by Jay Thompson
Filed under Uncategorized
RE Bar Camp Phoenix 2009 is over.
And personally, I thought it was a smashing success!
I’d like to take a moment to thank the organizers and the volunteers that made it all possible. They were an amazing bunch of people to work with, and I am proud to call them friends.
To our sponsors, thank you. The venue was fantastic. The food, while clearly not award winning cuisine, was good and having it on site (and free for the attendees) was greatly appreciated. People are wearing the t-shirts (with your name on the back) with pride. And we had enough water and drinks that no one passed out from heat exhaustion.
To those that facilitated sessions, thanks so much. You were an integral part of the success of the event. To those that wanted to hold a session, sorry there weren’t enough rooms. But I guess that’s a good problem to have. Keep that session in mind for the next one!
Most importantly, I’d like to thank all the people that attended. You can plan and plan and secure sponsors until you are blue in the face, but if no one shows up that’s all for naught.
And not only did people show up (over 300 attended), they participated. And it’s that participation that really makes a bar camp style event rock.
The organizers would LOVE to hear your thoughts. Tell us the good, the bad, and the ugly. What should we do differently for the next one? What did we miss? Any (and I mean ANY) thoughts, ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Here is a little video montage I put together with some feedback gathered that day. It’s too long, but I think it gives an overall feel for what many thought. But it’s tough to give “constructive criticism” with a camera in your face. PLEASE let us have some, it’s the only way to make the next event better!
Chris on Sun, 26th Apr 2009 11:17 am
This event was just fabulous. Thank you to the sponsors and the volunteers who put it together!
Kent Simpson on Sun, 26th Apr 2009 11:46 am
What I liked most about this event was the free-flow exchange of ideas & tips. My brain is still buzzing with tangents coming off of the ideas picked up on Thursday.
I’d love to help with the next one to get more participation from Tucson – just let me know how I can assist!
Tyler Hurst on Sun, 26th Apr 2009 12:18 pm
Loved the format, loved the food and loved the people.
Suggestions for next year:
1. Coffee is needed.
2. WiFi. Seriously.
Tiffany Cloud on Sun, 26th Apr 2009 12:33 pm
First and Foremost, let’s here it ladies….no lines for the ladies room, Clean, Convenient – NICE. Actually the location at Scottsdale Stadium was great; convenient to everyone in the Valley. The meeting rooms were close together and easy to find, loved the patio areas outside of the rooms were people could mingle and network between sessions – I don’t know that you could have done better than you did with the venue.
The information was fantastic.
The talent and partcipation was fantastic
Suggestion for next year:
– Have to agree w/Tyler – WiFi. The folks facilitating the sessions could have enhanced the information dramatically w/access to internet and a way to display and share that access with others.
I really appreciate everyone’s work and effort – fantastic! Thanks!
brian culhane on Sun, 26th Apr 2009 2:54 pm
Great Event. Great People. Great Time Had by All!
If you did not get something out of this that can significantly improve your business model and your ability to network socially and increase your internet presence, you probably werent there!
Evan Fuchs on Mon, 27th Apr 2009 12:38 am
Yeah, it rocked. All the way around.
Loved the format, the energy, the sharing.
It was obvious you guys put a ton of work in. THANKS!
Kristal Kraft on Mon, 27th Apr 2009 6:56 am
REBCPHX totally rocked! I was impressed with the volunteers and how everyone worked together to pull it off. The sessions were outstanding! My notebook is over-flowing with new ideas to implement. Thanks Jay and everyone who made Larry and I feel very welcome.
You have set the bar very high!
kk
REBarCamp is Growing! : RE Bar Camp Denver on Mon, 27th Apr 2009 6:58 am
[...] attending the wonderful REBarCamp Phoenix last week, we decided that everyone who wants to attend should have the opportunity to do so, [...]
Glenn Sanford on Mon, 27th Apr 2009 9:19 am
This was my first REBarCamp. I’ve been to three Inman Connects and never made it to the REBarCamp portion. The content was awesome and the Social Media icons were out in full force. It was great to meet so many sharp people from around the country.
For an un-conference it seemed a bit more formal on the presentation side, so from that perspective it seemed less collaborative then it seems the goal was however great information was shared and I’m sure there were some very collaborative sessions that I wasn’t a part of.
We had a blast sponsoring the after party #phxafterbar. We hope to be able to do more #phxafterbar(s) in the future as this one was a smashing success based on REBarCamp being earlier in the day.
P Sizzle on Fri, 1st May 2009 2:58 pm
If you are into the whole learning and networking thing, it was most likely an excellent event for you. I, however, was there for the surprise Steve Guttenberg stunt double appearance that never materialized and am justifiably outraged.