Convention Idea: Beyond The Presentation

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The roundup of convention ideas is here.

You know how the usual convention pro-fan event goes:

  • You get a presenter or presenter.
  • You get their audiovisual equipment
  • You get whatever else they need.
  • They show up and do the event.

I'm all for this method – after all, its what I do at conventions – but if you're going to expand the pro-fan events you do, the things you do to educate your attendees, you need to think outside of the box.

In this case, the box of "person-shows-up and does things."

There are many ways you can run pro-fan events without the standard person-at-the podium.  The more ways to experiment with doing these events, the more you can have- and the more ways you can bring information to your attendees.

Have you thought of video conferences?  They may take a bit to set up in time an money, but you can bring in guests that can't otherwise attend for whatever reason.  You can even bring people in from around the world – in the same room so to speak.

What about pre-recorded seminars, run on movie screens?  A bit limited of course, but you can get information to your attendees without the need of a live guest.  Your guest might even let the seminar/panel be put online.

Consider the simple conference line.  If a guest can't attend, and you can't video conference, you can patch them in.  Never underestimate the power of a good conference line.  It could even be used for a famous "special guest" to drop in for a few minutes.

Consider the webinar – a web seminar.  Your convention could "simulcast" events at the convention and online for people who couldn't make it.

Or, why not stream some of your events online so everyone can attend – if only in spirit – and on their monitors.

If you're going to do pro-fan events, think out of the box.  Many businesses use a variety of ways to train people – like the above – so can you!

For that matter, imagine what your convention team – and attendees – will learn setting this all up . . .

– Steven Savage

Frustration Friday: The Next Bad Thing!

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I want to talk about the next Dumb Idea.

Why do I want to do this? Because I'm getting pretty tired of hearing about the Next Big Thing.  It's always coming, it's always here – and it will always be forgotten in the next few months.  In many cases it wasn't the next big thing anyway, but of course the various pundits, experts, and bloggers (guilty, here . . .) go on to look for the Next Big thing even when they got the last one wrong.

iPad.  DLC. Mahwa.  Whatever.  I keep hearing what's absolutely going to rock my socks off in the geekonomy.

So I'd like a change of pace – I'd like people to start discussing the incredibly stupid ideas that are going to go down in flames.

Read more

News of the Day 2/4/2010

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Apple has to watch it's back since everyone else is, Avatar keeps breaking records, 3D is further advancing it's agenda, and Zynga is partnering with Microsoft. Everyone's on the move – and you need to be too! That's why we have this news round up for Progeeks,Profans, and Protaku!

Career:
3 ways to design your career – Some good advice on taking the lead on making your career what you want.

Economics/Geekonomics:
Put on your geekonomic hat for this gem from the Santa Fe Reporter: An economist who studies inequality and how it damages productivity. A friendly but deep discussion on inequality, economic issues, and more. Get ready for interesting ideas like one-shot welfare and the damage caused by guard labor (the more people involved in having to enforce a system, the less productive it is).

Movies:
'Avatar' passes 'Titanic' for domestic box office. Article includes some analysis of just why this is a big deal – it happened FAST.

On Avatar's muscular blue heels, comes the news Sony hopes to conver older films to 3D for Blu-Ray. At this rate, I think 3D is going to be one of those things that has staying power because it's going to be everywhere ANYWAY. So keep aware of it if you're in media production – or work on the tech.

Technology:
Amazon working on a superKindle? All signs point to 'seems likely.' I find this interesting as I feel the Kindle's best bet is to become software, but Amazon appears to have an investment in it, and also has a touch-screen company. Now I'm thinking Amazon's strategy might be twofold – produce a deluxe reader device that's vaguely iPad like, and software to get everywhere else, and pursue the Apple 'store' model for books and book-related apps.

And as a followup, a look at why Amazon must win the e-book war. In rough, e-books will affect it a lot more than they affect Apple. Point taken. Worth reading.
Sounds like Sony is interested in challenging the iPad – As they've go their own technology base, why not? In fact I'm seeing a lot of potential dog-piling on the iPad, more than I honestly expected, and it's specific targeting. I think Apple is going to need to work hard to support this one. On the Sony end, good move for them, they never quit do they?

Video Games:
Uforia to mix MMOs and Trading Card Games – Color me intrigued (some similar elements worked for Wizardry 101). A gutsy move that continues the interesting trend of fusion games – Puzzle/RPG (Puzzle Quest), Side-scroller RPG (Dungeon Fighter), and so on. Also it appears Uforia is hiring . . .

A look at tactics to keep people from selling games back. Take a look at what companies are and may do, and what it may mean.

Features of the arcade-MMO Dungeon Fighter – Buried in all the information (which does sound cool) is a statement that the game actually has a Fan Fiction page for creating individual stories. Nice bit of relations-culitvation there. Also I confess the game looks awesome, and I need to get Parallels on my Mac . . .

Zynga's plans for world domination continue. They'll be bringing their games to Microsoft sites including MSN. That's a brilliant shift for them – since they have recognizable properties, developed properties, and leverage, why not put their stuff everywhere? Also they're hiring, so check them out. I just wonder who will rise to rival them . . .

Question of the Day: Will Apple get dogpiled by people wanting to take a chunk out of the iPad market – and is there enough interest to seriously hurt them?

-Steven Savage