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What we can learn from unconferences

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What are unconferences?

First a little brief background. Unconferences are facilitated discussions that are participant-driven and are centered around a specific theme. It is the opposite of typical conferences where speakers and audiences are separate. In unconferences, everyone is expected to speak and pitch in to move the discussions forward.

You can read more about unconferences here.

Whats the big deal?

Unconferences gained a lot of interest and momentum in the crowds because of the following reasons;

1- Its a leveled playing field for everyone who is present;

2- Everyone is a participant and not just there to sit and listen;

3- It ends up being highly intellectual discussions where everyone learns something;

4- It demonstrates the power of collective wisdom;

5- When moderated properly, it delivers good results.

What can we learn from it?

As event marketers there are a number of lessons in these gatherings. First of all, it shows the importance and power of community driven discussions. Just like people are more responsive and energetic in these unconferences, they have the exact same behavior in communities online.

Secondly, it proves the power of collective wisdom. So, if you’re planning your events what better way to do it than engaging your community online? You can allow them to have a direct input in the event’s flow or proceedings.

Thirdly, because of its up close nature, the relationship with the participants grows deeper. The participants will be more likely to remember you, to remember the event and to have a good after-taste about it. In the same way, in online communities you can build that level of relationships through different ways of interacting with your community to build relationships of trust.

You can read up a good post on unconferences here (although it is a relatively old article)

Simon U Ford (SUF.EDBD)

Today’s tip! Online events through webinars and e-learning centers are a growth industry in a shrinking economy. You need to be a part of it.

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  • addytseng
    My first reaction was....HUH? I'd never heard of Unconference! I followed the link to read the post (yes, it is old isn't it?) and enjoyed the discussion.

    The first paragraph in the article explained WHY Unconference and HOW it started:
    "The idea for an unconference came while sitting in the audience of a panel discussion at a conference, waiting for someone to say something intelligent, or not self-serving, or not mind-numbingly boring...."

    Yes, I could relate to that feeling! And immediately jumped on board to support a new way of doing conferences.

    However, as pointed out by some comments that were posted, it is no different from a roundtable (so why give it another name?). I might have called it a forum myself.

    Again, as pointed out, this format can degenerate into an annoying drone of self-serving individuals with marginal communication skills too. I have observed many of these myself.

    The key to an effective Unconference is a good Discussion Leader who knows the topic himself, knows who else in the audience can add value, and is able to draw ideas out and knit the information into a single story.

    The article challenges the old way of doing conferences. While it isn't totally revolutionary, the fact that it was a big deal among some groups reminds me that democratization of information is indeed here. Who would have found it plausible (way back when) that the sum total of the audience's knowledge on a topic could exceed the knowledge of a few so-called "experts"?

    We have access to all types of information now. Information is no longer the domain of "scholars" and professionals.

    When it comes to marketing, it is worth remembering that our customers are smart! They can easily kick us off the panel in a Unconference!
  • mdouble
    I have lead round table and open forum type discussions and well understand the importance of having a strong and well informed leader. No matter what this kind of event is called, without strong leadership it is easy for the group to be hijacked by members pushing their own agenda or intent on having the dominate point of view. Any group that where rules of participation aren't well defined stands the chance of devolving into chaos and disorder, especially if members hold strong opposing views or if the topic is by nature emotionally charged. To avoid such problems the moderator must be very skilled in the art and science of diplomatic intervention.
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