My first Video on the Net as an employee of pulvermedia was certainly a learning experience. I thought I’d write out what I learned from the experience, for my own reference, but also in case it inspires you to reflect on your time at VON, as well as prompt you for advice for me.
Having Three Jobs Was Tricky
I had duties to Video on the Net, Network2, and the Video on the Net Pavilion. This meant that I was there as a community developer for the folks watching the Video on the Net conference, as well as a helper and representative of the talent we invited to come to our Network2 booth to represent their great video shows. Finally, I had a responsibility to make certain that our paid sponsors felt like they were part of the community out on the VON show floor. Oh, maybe I had four jobs. Because I try to cover everything Jeff Pulver needed me to do, as well. Thankfully for that last job, I had some subcontractors to help me. : )
Hit and Run Speakers Need Incentives
Someone suggested a neat idea (was it Nico Flores?). He wanted speakers to have the opportunity to continue their conversation with the audience, by having some kind of a “community room” off the main conference area. This means, if someone finished his or her stage time, they would be invited to talk a little more about their ideas in this secondary room with whoever found the message interesting and vital. Meanwhile, another speaker would start up on the main stage.
Jeff Pulver often comments that he wants speakers who can stick around a little while and talk with the community. I agree. I understand tight schedules, and I’d rather get top talent to speak than not, but whenever possible, I want to try and encourage speakers to stay and be part of the community.
Know who gets an A-Plus in being part of the Video on the Net Community this year? David Eckoff from Turner. David not only stuck around, he was WITH us everywhere. He went out to the videobloggers dinner, to the parties, to everything. I’ll also give an A to Robert Scoble, who was more than gracious with his time and his community focus. (Plenty more of you also deserve high marks, but please don’t make me type it all out).
Women in Video
I’d love to see more participation in speaking from the women who’ve made the new media space shine. We’ve had some great speakers at VON, and I’d like to continue the trend into upcoming VONs. If you’re an innovator and disruptor in the space of the Internet’s impact on TV, film, communications, and entertainment, *and* you’re also a woman, I’d love to talk with you about how you might add to the story around Video on the Net.
Better Meeting Management
I left most of my meetings until the last day, and then I had to rush them into a giant clump that I ended up calling “speed dating.” This wasn’t optimal. To that end, I’d like to work harder to get more meetings out of the way throughout all the days of the event, and not just let them pile up on the last day. It’s important to find time right away, instead of storing them all up for later.
More Introductions
I worry that I didn’t give enough folks the proper introductions to people they needed to meet. I’ll have to find a way to do that even more throughout the events. I’m learning. I’ll figure it out.
Participation
What drives good experiences is the feeling that everyone has a role. I will work harder on finding ways for people to participate even more in the Video on the Net experience. I will develop opportunities for friends and colleagues to interact more with each other as well as the community at large. I imagine this will enhance the experience.
Attendance and the Message
How do I get more people who SHOULD be at Video on the Net to know about it? How will I deliver even more talented voices and hearts to the community? I’m thinking of ways I can use YOUR help to get the message out. I’m wondering how to bring more companies into the conversation so that they can bring their views to our overall attempt to understand the ecosystem of bringing broadband Internet to the future of communications, TV, film, and entertainment.
Your Thoughts Are Appreciated
If you blog about this, or if you have comments to send me, I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas. It will certainly help me build on the ideas put together here. Your help will likely build the community at large, and for that, I’d be grateful. And even if you didn’t attend Video on the Net, maybe you’ve got something to add. I’d like that, too.
(photo credit, cirne)