PodCamp - the connection enabler!

One year ago, I happened to hear that there was this PodCamp thing about to happen in Boston. It was an unconference and free to all participants. PodCamp, related to podcasting, maybe? But what is an unconference? Sounded like it might be better than a conference. The fact that it was happening in Boston and FREE was certainly the incentive to do more looking into it.

I checked out the website, actually they were using a wiki to handle registrations. I cruised around the site a bit, found out when it was happening (I could go), that it really was FREE (heck, yes I’ll be there), figured out how to edit the page and registered.

They were also looking for help in anyway. I still considered myself relatively a young blogger and while I was interested in exploring podcasting and video but had not done any of that, I couldn’t do a session on something in that area. I do have a customer service background and figured I could help in the registration desk. That should be relatively easy. Especially since it was FREE (have I said that before?) I wouldn’t have to worry about making change, running credit cards, or dealing with upset folks whose deposit or payment hadn’t cleared. Sign in, get a name tag, get a schedule, and off they go into the unconference.

A bonus for working at the registration desk for me would be the chance to meet folks. Yes, me, the shy one in the corner. I could meet and greet and put names with faces. I’d recognize some folks (I hoped anyway) if they were bloggers. If they really were into podcasting and vlogging, I wasn’t sure. But hey, it was going be FREE. (oh, sorry I guess I did say that already). I could make connections!

The day has come and gone. PodCamp Boston was a historic event. I blogged about it added some pictures and recorded my first podcast. Heck, that is one of the good things about PodCamp. I learned enough there to do such a thing. This was indeed exciting. You can listen to my recap of the first PodCamp Boston here.

Now, the second PodCamp is on its way in October. If you can’t come to Boston this time, I’ll understand. But do check out the schedule. There are other PodCamps happening. This is not a one time or sometime thing for Boston. This is a happening that is spreading. If there is not one coming to your area, you can start your own (One of the real benefits of the unconference).

One significant area of my growth this year can be attributed to the connections I made last year at PodCamp. I am going this October and I anticipate making more connections (and continuing my own personnal development).

Consider rewarding yourself with connections! Find (or create) a PodCamp in your area, or come to Boston in October!

For more information on this year’s PodCamp Boston 2, click here.

To register for this year’s PodCamp Boston 2, click here.