Conventions

Convention Idea: Resource Lists

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The roundup of convention resources is here.

So what happens after that big panel, workshop, whatever at your convention?  Do people just take away more than just memories (if they can remember much after a wild convention)?  It's always important in your career-oriented panels to have something to take away.

There are many things I like to add to such events, but one of the simplest, most space-efficient, and effective is a resource list.

That's it.  Just make sure your panels or workshops have, if appropriate, a page of resources handed out, that contains things like:

  • A list of useful websites.
  • A list of "must-read" books that fit the subject of the panel or workshops.
  • A list of schools or institutions providing appropriate classes.
  • A list of professional associations, meetup groups, or online groups that people may want to join.

One page of information may be all you need to make sure that the attendees keep using and building on what they've learned.

And, for a bit of branding, make sure it has information on the convention and the person that presented the panel or workshop.  It helps you stay memorable . . .

– Steven Savage

Convention Idea: Cover Part-Time Businesses

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The roundup of convention resources is here.

Plenty of people think about starting a fannish business.  Of course such events rethinks you can try at conventions.  Certainly they're useful and of interest.

Let me suggest that, if you're going to do such an event at a convention, you consider something a little different.

Do a panel or series of panels on starting part-time fannish businesses.  How to run something on the side, on your weekends, along with your regular job, etc.

There are several advantages:

  • It's less daunting to people than panels on starting one's own business without doing it part time.  You'll get better attendance.
  • It is frankly easier to staff – you'll find more people qualified to speak on these issues.
  • It's a nice compliment to more "intense" business and career panels.
  • You'll have more diverse choices of subjects to cover as well, considering the many manifestations of part-time businesses.
  • It's often less formal.  Admittedly if we're talking conventions, some of your attendees will be doing gender-bent Watchmen costly, but you know what I mean.

Next time you want to talk business at a convention, talk part-time.

– Steven Savage

Convention Idea: A Range of Talent

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The roundup of Pro Fan Panel Ideas is here.

When you select a panel of people for your profane panels, workshops, etc. one of the questions that you'll face is what level of experience do you want.  Do you want an experienced pro – with the risk that others may not even understand them?  Do you want a newer pro – with the risk they don't know enough?  Do you want a student on their way there – but of course they have less credibility?

Let me toss out an idea for profan panels: provide a range of experience when appropriate.

Put an old salt, a new careerist, and a student on the same panel – or some other range of skill and experience.  Let them talk together, fight it out, or cover different areas of knowledge.  Either way, try a range.

Why?

  • It lets you give a variety of views.
  • It lets you give a variety of experiences relevant to people.  The new student may not be experienced but they know what current students are facing now.  The old hand may not get what it's like to start out today, but they know what current professionals are facing.
  • It gives you great cross-fertilization of ideas.  People of different levels of experience can put their minds together and come up with great panel ideas and sessions with less groupthink.
  • It also lets you spread or reuse panel resources.

So don't just focus on one experience level in your profan panels – go for a wide selection at once!

– Steven Savage