Welcome to PodCampUK

 

 

PodCampUK an awesome 2 day event bringing all the excitement and ideas of energy of a PodCamp to the UK.

We have sponsorship from both Cheeze & Podcast Nation. The extent of this remains to be completely determined, but we have more than enough to move forward.

 

Nick Saalfeld from Wells Park has very kindly offered to buy the drinks!

 

We're now talking to these guys: New Technology Institute in Birmingham.

 

We're also starting the process of session planning - all ideas welcome. Contribute to this wiki. Edit it and add your ideas and thoughts.

 

Check the website at http://podcampuk.com

 

Message from JohnB:

 

People are making this happen; meetings are being set, locations are being sought, dates and times are emerging! If you would like to be involved send an email to PodcampUK@gmail.com

 

Edit this page and leave a comment.Tell us what you do! Say hello! :)

 

Join the PodcampUK Google Group

 

 

Organisers/Assistance Wanted:

 

John Buckley - Citizen Scoop - Dissident Vox.

Mark Hunter - Tartan Podcast

Linda Mills - PodcastUserMagazine

Sebastian Prooth - Sebs Random Thoughts

Simon Toon - Slam Idol

Dean Whitbread - Funk

Mike O'Hara - MOH Stuff

Eaon Pritchard - eaonpritchard.com

 

 

 

Register Early!

 

Registrants

(Click 'Edit Page' in the margin above, type in the password provided, copy the entry from the last person, change it to reflect your data, and add your name to the list)

 

1. Simon Toon
2. Paul Marshall
3. John Buckley
4. Linda Mills: Looking forward to it!
5. Dean Whitbread
6. Grant Mason: this'll be great !
7. Chris Hambly
8. Steve Jay
9. Jimmy Hastell: One I can get to.
10. Conrad Slater: I like Oxford a lot.
11. Luke Dicken: Manchester would seem like a good compromise, particularly for folks coming from even further north :)
12. Mike O'Hara: Happy to assist in any way I can
13. Eaon Pritchard  : Sure I can help too.
14. Alistair MacDonald
15. Andy White : Count me in!
16. John Arnold : I'll be there if I possibly can
17. Paul Nicholls : See you there!
18. Janet Parkinson : Looking forward to it!
19. Adam Curry : Never thought I'd be under Janet. All for man or birm., both excellent flying destinations!
20. Anna Farmery : Never thought I'd be under Adam Curry but hey a girls got to live out her fantasies at some point! Looking forward to it - the unconference that is!

 

Comments PLEASE LEAVE THEM!

 

Looking forward to getting stuck into making this happen.

 

How fixed is the mission statement? - seems to be a bit "local" to Manchester, or a little "exclusive". I'm thinking London as a venue and looking at hooking up ALL of the UK. Regardless of Manchester or London this must be inclusive and not tied into the local community too much (that would be PodcampManchester), we need the whole podcasting community in UK on this, currently I would say people might be "put off", can we open dialogue here?

 

Chris Hambly

 

@Chris: we've been scouring the country for possible venues other than Manchester, and aside from finding sponsorship to pay for it all, that's why this has been a quiet little Wiki of late. I don't think anyone has any objection to it being held elsewhere, only that it should if possible be somewhere in central UK, not as often happens biased towards the south east of the country. - DW

 

@DW makes little difference to me where it takes place as long as it is:

 

1. easy to get to for internationals (we need as many of the USA guys in on this as possible)

2. plenty of spaces and access for all to attend

 

I have connections with BCUC, a very large University in Buckinghamshire (about 30 mins from Oxford, 20 mins from heathrow). I am in a position to chase sponsorship and get enough rooms/spaces available for this to happen there. Huge lecture theatres, dedicated technology suites and all the presentation gear etc, local hotels, pubs, and easy access to international airports. However, I do not want to start something without the backing of you all. Personally, I feel we need to forget about geography completely and get this going where we can asap. I recently came back from PodcampNYC, and in order to match that we have lots of work to do :)

 

Chris

 

 

Guys, could I respectfully suggest that you concentrate your efforts on one venue and one Wiki?

 

This seems to be the most active by far - indeed all 3 delegates on the other Wiki are here too.

 

Too much diverse information and you'll lose interest, direction and delegates.

 

I'm very happy to turn up and be part of the whole thing as will many others, but channel your efforts together.

 

Personally Bucks seems an awkward and very out of the way place for folks to get to. Can't you try one of the main regional centres? Manchester, Birmingham, London?

 

Paul Nicholls

 

 

Paul hi.

 

I respect your views but I disagree, I think you make the argument based on what your understanding of what BUCKS is about. Podcamps are about sharing info, sharing with as many people as possible. BUCKS will be very well attended by faculy staff and students from BUCKS and local business too, if lots of podcasters come also then that's a bonus. But I'm hoping it will attract more blgogers and new media people, not just podcasters to be honest. People into secondlife, e-learning, twitter, you know.

 

Also BUCKS is not about competing with another venue (people just need to get over that), in fact I would encourage more Podcamps to take place, no matter how large or small, the more the merrier, I'll be coming to them all if I can manage it. Look at how many take place in the USA, and other countries, it's supposed to everywhere and all the time, that's the point.

 

In the UK we need to get out of this "one united" concept, and encourage many people to set them up, all the time. If you check the registrants in a month or so, there will be lots of students/staff and others, I'm just not promoting it yet. Why don't you go to two/three/four yourself.. let's all enjoy sharing and get out of politics... share, give, no matter where or with who.

 

Bucks is chosen cause I can get the space easily and live close, it's simple to make it happen. It's only 30 mins on train from London, and off the M40 and M4, very easy.

 

Chris Hambly

 

Chris, my only add to this conversation is to ask that you not propagate the notion that PodCampUK will be limited to a particular crowd (UK podcasters) and that we will not be seeking to open up the event to as many new-media folk as possible. We will. If you take a listen to the first audioblog on the PodCampUK site you can see that it's slanted towards everybody. There is nothing exclusive or limited about it. Thanks for reading and good luck with your event. If costs and time allow I'll make it to Bucks.

 

John Buckley

 

John, thanks for your comment. I never suggested that podcampuk was anything but open to anyone, certainly not propogating anything. I love the podcampuk concept, go for it my man, if I can help I will (as I've always said). I was trying to inform that podcampbucks "participants" may well be a completely different audience. If they are not, that's very cool too. If you want to help with bucks (or anyone) get involved too.

 

Chris Hambly

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

Chris,

 

Lets call a spade a spade. Bucks might be a great place for folks in the local area. It's just so out of the way for anyone nationwide, let alone international.

 

Put on two events and it's simply divisive. Organising one of these things isn't a walk in the park. Trust me.

 

It's also very surprising to see you acting a bit like an ostrich. Your head appears to be very firmly wedged in the sand. THERE'S ANOTHER EVENT PLANNED AT THE SAME TIME....... there, that's hopefully cleared the air.

 

I've no affiliation anywhere, I'm just an independent bloke who has organised two of these before (as well as a number of corporate legal events) with a dedicated team and stumbled across this link.

 

You need:

 

1. A place where national and international people can get to very easily. Bucks might be off the M40, but tell thath to somoeone from Finland / Austria. Are you seriously planning the event just for Bucks? You mention that you're doing it there because you live there? eh? What about other folks who may want to come from other regions?

 

2. A small team - you MUST have someone who can handle sponsors, someone who can liase with the venue, someone with contacts to drum up support and someone to PR. You physically CANNOT do all this yourself.

 

3. Sponsorship - this is a biggy and you need to keep them happy.

 

4. A community spirit. You ain't going far with three folks attending and others like me saying "eh, two?".

 

It's always a good idea to involve others and take their views on board. Saying things like "people will just have to get over it" is cavalier and really rather amateur.

 

I don't know you and may have this completely wrong, but I don't see any of the four attributes above in the BUCKS thing.

 

Why not channel energies into one event (the one with the most stuff arranged and people attending would be the obvious)

 

I arranged podcastcon twice with a small team and we handled a budget of five figures........just. I was accused by some of glory seeking - I wasn't, it was just that there was nothing else arranged. Believe me, if there was something else, I'd have gone there. I'm absolutely not becoming involved in any of the organising, I'm a very, very happy passenger and just delighted others are organising matters. But at the same time and in competition? That's just daft.

 

At the moment, with two distinct events, people will be confused at best and put off at worst.

 

Here's a suggestion. Don't use 'podcamp' in the title to avoid confusion if you're intent on doing this at the same time, or, better still, organise it in say, January / Feb next year. I'd happily come then (as will probably most of the crowd at the other event).

 

I'd be very happy to communicate via email if you wish, but I'm sure I'm just giving air to the majority voice.

---

Hello there.

 

“Lets call a spade a spade. Bucks might be a great place for folks in the local area. It's just so out of the way for anyone nationwide, let alone international.”

 

Actually it isn’t, Heathrow Airport is 20 mins away. Anyone driving south comes down the M1 or M40, anyone comes North it is off the M4, surprisingly easy, really it is.

 

“Put on two events and it's simply divisive. Organising one of these things isn't a walk in the park. Trust me. “

 

Bucks event is not aiming to be some huge massive affair, if 100 people come who know nothing about all this then it has done something magnificent. Also I repeat, these things should happen regularly all over, it should not be just some elite super event, get lots of them going on everywhere. Some people work, have holidays other plans, kids, two events is choice, 3 is better, 33 is awesome.

 

“It's also very surprising to see you acting a bit like an ostrich. Your head appears to be very firmly wedged in the sand. THERE'S ANOTHER EVENT PLANNED AT THE SAME TIME....... there, that's hopefully cleared the air. “

 

The “other event” is the beginning of September, Bucks is intending to be October, probably mid October. 6 weeks between something is huge. Take PME07 and PodcampBoston within a week I think. No need for capitals I’m not partially sighted.

 

“1. A place where national and international people can get to very easily. Bucks might be off the M40, but tell thath to somoeone from Finland / Austria. Are you seriously planning the event just for Bucks? You mention that you're doing it there because you live there? eh? What about other folks who may want to come from other regions?”

 

Yes, they can easily if they wish. In any case all podcamps do not have to be international attractions, why should they be? No need whatsoever podcamps can be small, even though High-Wycombe is a piece of cake to arrive at.

 

“2. A small team - you MUST have someone who can handle sponsors, someone who can liase with the venue, someone with contacts to drum up support and someone to PR. You physically CANNOT do all this yourself. “

 

Totally agree with this, there will be many people at the Uni coming forward to be honest. I am one of them, I also work there, the community is big, and already people are interested. I’m well aware I can’t do this myself. I’ve never said I intend to, that’s you presuming. Strange you should think so after a wiki page being up for a couple days.

 

“3. Sponsorship - this is a biggy and you need to keep them happy. “

 

Yes, sponsors will come on hopefully, I bet the University marketing department would be interested in getting involved.

 

“4. A community spirit. You ain't going far with three folks attending and others like me saying "eh, two?". “

 

Of course these things are about community. Like I said I’ve not promoted it yet, the wiki is brand new. I could have promoted this in a lecture today and have had 25 names on the list already, but it is too soon, there is on rush.

 

“It's always a good idea to involve others and take their views on board. Saying things like "people will just have to get over it" is cavalier and really rather amateur. “

 

Agreed people do need to be involved, and it is open for anyone to get involved, it’s a wiki, put your name down to help. I don’t hear universities up and down the country saying things like “oh there is another conference going on in 6 weeks at your uni, you can’t do that please stop”. This is not exclusive, this is sharing knowledge with a group of people.

 

“I don't know you and may have this completely wrong, but I don't see any of the four attributes above in the BUCKS thing.”

Well given time you might. And why would I need to qualify any attributes to you anyway, isn’t a Podcamp for anyone to organise anywhere? I mean a student from the middle of the Lake

 

District could run a Podcamp if she so wishes down the pub with 10 people.

 

“Why not channel energies into one event (the one with the most stuff arranged and people attending would be the obvious) “

 

Because some people will not be able to make the date (no matter what it is) and Bucks students will want to attend in their town. I’ll help and promote both events, if bucks is a very small affair then who really cares, I don’t. The people attending will still get something out of it.

 

“I arranged podcastcon twice with a small team and we handled a budget of five figures........just. I was accused by some of glory seeking - I wasn't, it was just that there was nothing else arranged. Believe me, if there was something else, I'd have gone there. I'm absolutely not becoming involved in any of the organising, I'm a very, very happy passenger and just delighted others are organising matters. But at the same time and in competition? That's just daft.”

 

Good for you, you are entitled to an opinion, but I repeat this is not in competition in any way, not one bit, nada.

 

“At the moment, with two distinct events, people will be confused at best and put off at worst.”

 

Why would they, which people?, bucks students won’t be, nor staff there, that’s enough participants in itself. Also confusion doesn’t happen in USA, besides, some might go to both. Some might not. Don’t you think a whole heap of students might want to come on a Saturday and learn about new-media, right from the uni? That’s the impression I’m getting here.

 

“Here's a suggestion. Don't use 'podcamp' in the title to avoid confusion if you're intent on doing this at the same time, or, better still, organise it in say, January / Feb next year. I'd happily come then (as will probably most of the crowd at the other event). “

 

This might make sense because then there is no politics, maybe I’ll call it MediaCamp. I might also arrange other ones in the new year, we can’t have enough of them. As it happens hitting October is a prime time to do it in a University as all the Freshers get into gear then and are very motivated.

 

“I'd be very happy to communicate via email if you wish, but I'm sure I'm just giving air to the majority voice. “

 

Thanks, but talking public about this is best I think, though emails are fine for anything else anytime. And the “majority voice” is something we need to get away from, I’m interested in new people outside of the majority, at the moment, otherwise there is too much history for new things to bloom, it’s not like we have UK events going on all the time, and I so wish they did. I know people looking in on the UK scene see it as being full of politics and it’s no wonder when we do not simply let things happen, let people educate, let events run. A Podcamp/conf/knowledge session/learning event/meet-up/discussion group etc et all…. in two geographically distinct areas 6 weeks apart is hardly a competition, it is an opportunity.

 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

Chris Hambly

 

---

 

After many long and hard thoughts and reflection, and thanks to some of you for clarity, I have now decided to officially withdraw 100% out of any Podcamp organising.

 

Best wishes with it all, I'm sure you'll get some good things done.

 

I will not edit this page anymore.

 

Over and out.

 

Chris Hambly

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