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Convention Idea: Talking About Tools

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The roundup of convention ideas is here.

So, what is it that your profans, progeeks, and protaku actually want to use on their careers?  What books should they read?  What software should they use?  What websites should they use for their job searches.  What are the resources they should use in their careers?

Congrats.  You've just got some panel ideas for your convention – you can have your panelists, experts, and guests discuss what people should be USING in their geeky jobs?

Consider the possible panel topics:

  • What are the best books to read to improve your art?  To learn about game careers?  To keep around for your web design?
  • What are the best websites to search for jobs if you're a programmer?  An actor?  A freelancer?
  • What are free resources for programmers online?  For freelance writers?
  • What are the best online training websites?

If you're going to have "talks on tools" there are also many ways to implement them at your conventions:

  • Have a general sharing roundtable.
  • Have a debate – get people who have strong different opinions and center the panel around their discussion.
  • Have a recognized expert discuss the options.
  • Invite the writers, webmasters, teachers, etc. who created some of the resources in questions.

Next convention, take a look at the events you can do focused on the resources people should use in their geeky careers – or in getting there.  You've got a wealth of ways to inform people.

– Steven Savage

Convention Idea: Beyond The Presentation

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The roundup of convention ideas is here.

You know how the usual convention pro-fan event goes:

  • You get a presenter or presenter.
  • You get their audiovisual equipment
  • You get whatever else they need.
  • They show up and do the event.

I'm all for this method – after all, its what I do at conventions – but if you're going to expand the pro-fan events you do, the things you do to educate your attendees, you need to think outside of the box.

In this case, the box of "person-shows-up and does things."

There are many ways you can run pro-fan events without the standard person-at-the podium.  The more ways to experiment with doing these events, the more you can have- and the more ways you can bring information to your attendees.

Have you thought of video conferences?  They may take a bit to set up in time an money, but you can bring in guests that can't otherwise attend for whatever reason.  You can even bring people in from around the world – in the same room so to speak.

What about pre-recorded seminars, run on movie screens?  A bit limited of course, but you can get information to your attendees without the need of a live guest.  Your guest might even let the seminar/panel be put online.

Consider the simple conference line.  If a guest can't attend, and you can't video conference, you can patch them in.  Never underestimate the power of a good conference line.  It could even be used for a famous "special guest" to drop in for a few minutes.

Consider the webinar – a web seminar.  Your convention could "simulcast" events at the convention and online for people who couldn't make it.

Or, why not stream some of your events online so everyone can attend – if only in spirit – and on their monitors.

If you're going to do pro-fan events, think out of the box.  Many businesses use a variety of ways to train people – like the above – so can you!

For that matter, imagine what your convention team – and attendees – will learn setting this all up . . .

– Steven Savage

Convention Idea: Different Prizes

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The List of Convention Ideas is here.

How many conventions have contests with assorted prizes?  Figures and books and comics and more are given out for guessing songs, writing, skits, and more.

Having run a few contests, I certainly enjoy finding interesting prizes; obscure videos, interesting collectables, and more.  However I also enjoy giving away books.

Career-oriented books.

Now I'm not recommending your Sci-Fi con use copies of "What Color is Your Parachute" or "The Unwritten Secrets of the Highly Effective Job Search".  What I'm recommending is making some of your contest prizes books relevant to careers appropriate to the attendees.

I've given away books on anime and manga-style art at anime cons.  Think of what else you could do:

  • There are how-too books on virtually everything out there, from art to writing.
  • There are career-specific books on various geeky careers.
  • Considering books that profile the careers of famous people – those are often inspirational.

I you're going to add profan elements to your cons, why not take it a bit further and work it into your contests.  It may seem a small thing, but it's just one more addition to making your convention cater to those who want to use their hobbies in their careers.

– Steven Savage