If you're planning to be in Southern California on June 20th, 2009, and are interested in New Media, you don't want to miss an event that's being organized by the Media Communications Association International's LA/Orange County chapter (MCAI LA/OC).
As a "Lifetime Member" of the international organization, I'm excited to be part of what is being touted as "the first of its kind barcamp for media professionals" -- MediaProCamp 2009. The format of this event is based on the well-known (at least in the Geek world) BarCamps that have been springing up all over the globe since the first one took place in Palo Alto in 2005.
MediaProCamp 2009 is an all day unconference for professionals working in every aspect of media. The venue is the Digital Media Center in Santa Ana, a technology incubator affiliated with Santa Ana College. Best of all, it's free!
The form factor for this event is participatory, rather than oratory. There will be a number of Guest Facilitators there, including Marcelo Lewin, Founder, PixelHeadsNetwork; Philip Hodgetts, of Intelligent Assistance; Bruce Nazarian, "The DVD Guy; " James Mathers, President, Digital Cinema Society; and Janice Arrington, Orange County Film Commissioner.
But the model is not for them to push out information that attendeees absorb; rather, MediaProCamp is an open series of roundtable discussions on any subject participants choose -- with multiple breakout sessions every half hour or so. An ad hoc schedule of topics will dominate the day, with interactivity between all of the participants guaranteeing a powerful experience. Attendees bring their personal expertise (everybody contributes) and plenty of questions. Laptops are useful but optional. Any attendee can create a topic for discussion and form a group -- or sit in on any group they choose.
MCAI LA-OC expects around 100 attendees its first year, but space is limited and requires preregistration.
Coffee, snacks and lunch are included, and sponsorships are also available. There's more information available at the MCAI LA/OC website.
I really hope this encourages additional BarCamp style events in Southern California -- not only for New Media pundits, but for industries across the board. Removing the hierarchical "teacher-student" model of most conferences, and providing a fully emerged, participatory event for attendees, will foster greater creativity, brainstorming and problem solving, not only for those directly involved, but for all of us who use those products and services in the future.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
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