Suggest modification to this talk

Title

Description

The Minimum Viable Conference by Kerri Miller & Jeremy Flores

Ok, so, if nothing else, we’ve got one thing in common. We like conferences. The two of us like ‘em so much that we recently spent a large chunk of time and money organizing and hosting one, and are planning at least one more for next year, too. Ask us about it!
We’re here to spill the beans on what it takes to make these things happen. We’ll do our damndest to tell you everything you need to know to get your own conference off the ground. We’ll cover topics like:
How many people do you need? To attend? To organize?
Where’s the money come from?
How do you get sponsors?
How do you run a CFP?
What are the easy wins and hard losses?
For what services do you pay versus those you seek for free?
How do you protect yourself and your fellow organizers?
Who buys the beer?
Whether you’re planning a multi-day conference, a monthly meetup, or just a one-time get-together for your office, we’ll give you a handy list of DOs and DONTs, based on our own experiences and those of others in the community event game. Like Kerri’s Gramma once said, “If you want to go to a party, sometimes you have to throw it yourself.”

Help us caption & translate this video!

http://amara.org/v/IMmv/

Date

Summarized using AI?

If this talk's summary was generated by AI, please check this box. A "Summarized using AI" badge will be displayed in the summary tab to indicate that the summary was generated using AI.

Show "Summarized using AI" badge on summary page

Summary

Markdown supported

The video titled 'The Minimum Viable Conference' features Kerri Miller and Jeremy Flores discussing their experiences organizing conferences, focusing on their event, Open Source and Feelings. They aim to share their insights to help others successfully launch their own conferences. The key points covered in their talk include:

- **Understanding the Purpose**: Establish a clear reason for organizing the conference, fostering community and participation. A mission statement serves as a guiding reference.
- **Selecting a Venue**: Choose a venue that aligns with your audience and mission, ensuring it is accessible and equipped with the necessary technical capabilities.
- **Funding and Sponsorship**: Identify sources for funding through sponsorship, being creative in funding opportunities, and preparing for potential rejection.
- **Legal and Financial Management**: Form an LLC for protection when handling funds and hire an accountant early to comply with local laws and manage the budget effectively.
- **Choosing Presenters**: Develop a clear conference identity to guide presenter selection and launch a transparent Call for Proposals (CFP).
- **Team Dynamics**: Manage relationships among the organizing team to ensure effective collaboration, maintain accountability, and establish a code of conduct among organizers.
- **Promoting the Conference**: Use outreach strategies, including involving influential speakers and community groups, to attract attendees and ensure diverse participation.

Throughout the discussion, Kerri and Jeremy emphasize the challenges and rewards of organizing conferences, sharing personal anecdotes such as the addition of unique pricing strategies for tickets and the importance of fostering a community spirit. They conclude by encouraging attendees to create their own events, highlighting that building relationships, effective planning, and community engagement are key to a successful experience. The overall takeaway is that running a conference is a complex yet fulfilling endeavor that can significantly impact one's community and industry, provided it is approached thoughtfully.

Cancel