Posted on April 10, 2007
The importance of PodCampNYC
BY JAMES CLARK
The main reason that it was so important is that over the past year the podcasting community has become quite the echo chamber with the same questions and answers that were floating around in 2005. And for those of us that remember all them it can be a real drag to revisit them. This event, for me, proved that podcasting is ready to grow. Ready to prove itself as a viable distribution technology for the masses. In other words, go big.
As podcasting matures and starts to branch there are many conversations that need to take place and events like PodCampNYC make sure that they can. Newbies need to talk with novices, the novices need to hear from veterans and the veterans need a place to push the envelope. PodCampNYC was it. This event came at just the right time for all of these to converge. There's quite a bit to be said for serendipity.
After my previous PodCamp experiences I had pretty low expectations for this event and had started to lose my faith that we could do anything as a community other than make a bunch of noise.
After all, PodCamps are "free" events organized by "the community" that tend to vary in organizational level and content. Many ingredients in a recipe for disaster. And don't forget that anyone who wants to present can.
But this event beat the odds:
- Impleccably organized
- Tracks for interests
- Prepared presenters
- Great venue
Anyone organizing a PodCamp would do well to pick the brain of John C. Havens. Thanks to John and the team of volunteers that made this event a success.
Hey Kris,
Thanks for the kind words and helpful feedback/critique. We (PodCamp NYC team) are already planning 2.0 and hope the conversations can continue to be just as meaninful yet community oriented as they were at 1.0.
Best,
John C. Havens