...and the Podcamp AZ madness begins!

Well it's that time of year again- and enough of a reason to make a blog post! Podcamp Arizona 3.0 has been launched and is ready for you to register!

So, what is a Podcamp? Well, it's considered an "unconference" that encompasses every form of social media around- from Podcasting/vidcasting to all the endless forms of relevant media. The sessions are designed to show you how to use relevant media most effectively for whatever you might want to use it for (and no, I'm not talking in just a "how can I make a million bucks" way. Not everyone wants to do that. Believe it or not.). What makes it an "un"-conference? Anyone can speak, and everyone is involved in the presentations. Also, if you're in a session and it's not for you, everyone is encouraged to use the "rule of two feet" and get up and go check out another session! No worries of hurting the feelings of a presenter! This rule works very well because there are many great sessions happening at the same time, and there's just no way to see all of them!

Oh yeah, did I mention that it's FREE?

This informatively fun weekend is set for November 14th & 15th, and it kicks off the evening of Friday the 13th (isn't that awesome?) with all of the Phoenix "fn's" (friday nights) hanging out on Mill Avenue and walking up and down the street in a drunken stupor!

All right, not ALL of us will be in a drunken stupor, but those who will be- you know who you are. Then Saturday morning the fun begins bright and early at the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe. Or is it Phoenix? It's right there on the border of both cities, I can never remember unless I look up the address.

I've been one of the many, many people who have helped to shape this event into the success it is. I do not say this to brag. However, having the unique behind-the-scenes look over the past three years, I can say I have never been more impressed with how a (un)conference has matured. Not just in size (we had nearly 800 people in attendance last year, and I'm not even counting those who watched online!), but in the quality of the presentations and the plethora of information available. It continues to grow and change each year- and it has to, because what's relevant keeps changing as well. Sure, you get the same intro presentations, but I can say that every year I've gone away learning something new.

Who is Podcamp for? Just about everyone. Do you blog? Go to PodcampAZ. Podcast? Go. Video? GO. Are you a journalist? Writer? Real Estate Agent? Gamer? Musician? Student? Professional of just about ANY type? Stay-at-home Mom? How about a stay-at-home-Mom-who-rants-about-politics (hehehe)? All of you will get something out of PodcampAZ.

To get a better look, here are my photos from last year's Podcamp. If you have an hour or so you can browse through the Flickr group too.

All right, here's the deets:

When: November 14 & 15

Where: University of Advancing Technology, Tempe (yeah I looked it up), AZ (btw it does not matter if you don't live in AZ- we had attendees from 35 states last year! Yes, this could be a business trip if you work it right.)

REGISTER: http://reg.podcampaz.org/

ALL the info you need: http://podcampaz.org/

Sponsorship Info: http://podcampaz.org/sponsor-podcamp-az/

Mark those calendars now, and plan on being at PodcampAZ this November!

PAB '09 Registration Now Open

From Podcasting News:

Podcasters Across Borders 09 Opens Registration, Calls For Speakers

Podcasters Across Borders co-founder and organizer Mark Blevis sent word that registration for PAB2009 is opening today (December 1, 2008) at midnight Eastern Time. The three-day podcasting and new media conference is scheduled for June 19/20/21, 2009, in Kingston, Ontario (Canada). This is the fourth year of the event, which focuses on not just podcast creation, but also on “building and engaging communities, using social media dynamics, and honing the skills we use in all aspects of our online presence.”

Early registration cost is cdn$120, rising to $150 on January 1. Registration is limited to 120 participants.

This weekend, PAB organizers also issued a call for speakers and presenters:

“The theme for PAB2009, Outside-in: Learning from beyond the fishbowl, was selected to evolve the conversation to draw on skills, communications styles, experiences, innovations and people from outside of the social media and new media communities. We want our program to energize, motivate and advance the community.”

The event features more structured 25-minute presentations (with Q&A afterward), and five-minute “Jolt” sessions. None of the sessions are used to promote specific businesses or services.

---
I've given up trying to convince myself I'll make it to PAB one of these years. It takes place at the BEST time of the year- both my daughter's birthdays! :-)
~Dani

This weekend- Podcamp AZ 2.0

Well here it is- this weekend the 2nd annual Podcamp AZ comes to the valley, and I'm so excited! We've worked so hard this year to put together a first rate unconference, and I think- no, I know- we will pull it off!

This was truly a community effort. I don't think at any podcamp meeting there were less than 15 people. I may hate the summer weather and the politics of AZ, but one thing I love and what keeps me living here is the sense of community and support in the Valley of the Sun.

One of the sessions I'm most looking forward to is Evo Terra's "Five Reasons Your Podcast Sucks". Many others have moved on to video, or streaming audio for their shows, but I remain strictly an audio podcaster for my show. Those are the sessions that are going to interest me the most! :-) However there are many MANY sessions planned on a plethora of topics- something for everyone!

You can register all the way up through the weekend if you'd like to attend- it's absolutely free! Though, if you want one of the cool shirts, a donation would be appreciated!

Still need convincing? The great AZ weather (in November, not the summer!) and all the great sessions isn't enough? Well how about some photos from last year?

See you this weekend!

Know What I Did Last Podcamp AZ?

I had a really great time- that's what! That time of year is upon us again here in the not-quite-as-hot-now Southwest. Last year was the inaugural Podcamp AZ, and it was such a success it just had to be brought back!

What's Your Source? This year's unconference is taking a look at what is relevant in media today. Whether we are talking podcasting or radio, video or even print, all of these media outlets are a source that is continually changing and advancing. If you want to be on top of it, then you should be at Podcamp AZ November 1st and 2nd. Sessions and interaction focus on the creation of all relevant media sources, and how to use those sources to work for you for whatever you want! It doesn't matter if you are a newbie coming in who has never turned on a computer (and if you are I will want to shake your hand!), or a more 'experienced' person with relevant media sources. There are always new things to learn and talk about- and Arizona is one of the best places to do it.

The speakers lined up this year are also something to look forward to. More referred to as "hosts of an ongoing conversation", they bring their knowledge of a topic to you, yet are just as willing (and wanting) to learn as well. Some of the awesome speakers lined up this year are Evo Terra, Doug Welch, Kathy Jacobs, Francine Hardaway, Brian Shaler, and Chris Pirillo! You can learn more about these speakers and see who else is scheduled by clicking right HERE.

You really can't beat Arizona in November- the price is right and the community is awesome and inclusive. Head over to the website and register NOW and come be involved in the second annual Podcamp AZ!

http://podcampaz.org

If you'd like to help spread the word about Podcamp AZ, here's a little promo you can play on your podcast or radio show:

http://media.libsyn.com/media/audioaddict/PodcampAZ08PromoMix.mp3

... or you can always spread the word in the relevant media outlet of your choice. GO! Register! See you November 1st!

Podcamp Season!

Podcamp season is in full swing now, and thanks to Podcasting News here is a list of all the up-and -coming camps. Find one near you- and go! I've said in the past I prefer the "camp" atmosphere over the expo/conference one. I like being in an environment where I feel a part of something, and involved. Where my own experience in podcasting and relevant media matters, vs. just going and having people tell me how it is, or should be.

If there isn't a podcamp near you- well then, maybe you can be the one to bring a podcamp to your area? ;-)

• PodCamp Chicago Somewhere in Chicago - June 6, 7, and 8th 2008
• Podcamp Austin - Austin, Texas - June 20, 21, 2008
• PodCamp Seattle - June 21, 2008 - Seattle
• PodCamp Ohio - Columbus, Ohio - June 28, 2008
• PodCamp Boston 3 - Boston, Massachusetts, July 19-20, 2008
• PodCamp Michigan - TBD In Michigan, September 2008
• Podcamp Philly - TBA, September 2008 - More Information Soon!
• PodCamp Pittsburgh 3 - The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - October 18-19, 2008
• PodCamp AZ 2.0 - UAT PHX - November 1-2, 2008
• PodCamp Colorado - The Art Institute of Colorado - Denver, CO, November 7, 8 & 9 2008
• PodCampEDU2 The American University, Washington DC November 15 2008
• PodCampSA (South Africa) - 22 November 2008 - Johannesburg, South Africa
• Podcamp and PodCon Brasil in Curitiba, PR, Brazil, December 05 and 06, 2008.
• PodCamp SF - January 18, 2009 @ MacWorld SF
• PodCampWesternMass, Date TBD

You can get current information on upcoming PodCamps as the PodCamp wiki.

Fan Communities Part 3: Podiobooks!

It's like an invasion! Seems Podiobooks.com has a new fan site as well. (Ok, well it isn't BRAND new, but I finally have been catching up on all my audio feeds, and I found a post from Evo about it.)

This is a great place for authors, podcasters, and listeners to all gather and talk about everything from who's writing what, to how to begin your own podiobook. Also an interested discussion about where the limit is in social media networking.

Another good place!

Podcamp AZ Has Arrived!

I'm very excited for today is the first annual Podcamp in Arizona! There are 127 people signed up for the event- I find this very impressive for the first one! I can't wait to meet up with the ones I know, and meet even more social media geeks too! Here are the session for the day:

Opening General Session - 9am
(Chris Brogan to stream welcome message)

Series I - 10:15am - 11: 15am

Podcasting for Profit - Fred Casteneda
'Streaming Live Video - Taking your community to the next level: 'Nicole & Marc Spagnuolo
Audio Podcasting Basics - Kathy Jacobs
ROI of Social Media - Steven Groves
Show in a Box - Cheryl Colan
Social Networking: Being a social puddle jumper - Clintus_McGintus

Series II - 11:30am - 12: 30pm

'From Commentors to Contributors - Building Rabid Fans'- Evo Terra
Developing ideas and content for a weekly show - Douglas Welch
Podcasting & Education - Panel discussion; Alan A. Lew (facilitator), Susan F. Heywood and Laura Carscaddon
The Idea that is Web 2.0 - Victor Johnson
Determining the right length for your podcast - Aaron Bates, Cj Feierabend
Destination Media - Justine Ezarik & Jason Waldrip

Lunch/Outdoor Show - 12:30pm - 2pm

Series III - 2:15pm - 3:15pm

'Building a Podcast from the Ground Up - Steps to take when starting from scratch': Nicole & Marc Spagnuolo
'Improve Your Online Video' - Israel Hyman
Marketing in 3D Worlds - Connecting the Metaverse and Real Life - Lon Safko & Steven Groves
Beyond Podcasting - How to leverage Cross-Media - Michael R. Mennenga
Why it is Necessary to Build and Maintain an Online Brand and How to do It. - Susan F. Heywood
Ask A Kent - Kent Nichols

Series IV - 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Real Estate and Social Media - Steven Groves
Why Community Matters in the New Media World: Jack Mangan
Video Blogging: Sharing moments with the world - Clintus_McGintus
Podfading - Ken Crockett
PPT/Blog/Screencasting - Kathy Jacobs

4:45 pm - 5:30 pm
Closing Session in Theater

---
As with the Podcast Expo, you can follow along with my day on Twitter. You will also find a live stream all day long at UStream. Think I might just post a recap rather than live blogging this time however.. after the failed experiment from Ontario, CA! :-D

Looks to be an excellent day! Yeesh, I'd better get some sleep!