Very excited, after years of hearing good things about it, to be attending BlogHer this year in San Francisco. I’ll be in town July 17-23. For a woman in social media, this conference is a big deal. It’s arguably the equivalent of SXSW for networking, empowerment, community and inspiration among all manner of women in social media.
Unfortunately PodCamp Boston is that same weekend.
PodCamps are among the most inspiring, fun and community-focused tech events I’ve ever attended. If you can go to one, you should. Though I can’t attend, I’m paying for “my” registration, to support the event and letting the organizers put that to use as they choose. Are you in Boston July 19-20? Register here.
It’s incredibly difficult for event planners to pick the best dates to suit venue, budget and attendees. That PodCamp organizers did not schedule to avoid conflict with BlogHer is a bummer, but really not that big of a deal. What made me sad was PodCamp’s response to the scheduling conflict.
When the PodCamp date was announced, I and other female PodCamp fans immediately pointed out the conflict. The response was a bit abrupt, but not unreasonable. PodCamp did not want to schedule in the fall or close to the Podcasting and New Media Expo, and the BlogHer dates had not been checked. Fair enough. But.
Once known, the conflict was not shared with other PodCamp organizers. There was no discussion or group decision made by the organizers to go ahead despite it. That sent a poor message. It implied that the organizer doesn’t “get” BlogHer’s significance or consider it important enough to merit discussion. PodCamp also never acknowledged publicly that while unfortunate, the choice had to be made not to avoid the conflict.
In our world of transparency, conversation and consensus-building, it’s important to at least listen to the concerns, decide as an organizing body, and acknowledge that a choice had to be made. An organization can address concerns like this quite easily if it chooses to. You can mention it in your blog and explain why. You can creatively embrace the conflict by encouraging remote collaboration during both events. BlogHer has a big Second Life component, why not reach out to that?
When I brought my concerns about this conflict up privately with the organizers many weeks ago, and mentioned I would blog it at some point, there was a second opportunity to creatively engage with the scheduling conflict. While my concerns were taken seriously and discussed fairly, there was still no public acknowledgement of the conflict. There was still no creative effort at outreach.
PodCamp is an awesome organization. I have close personal affection for all of the organizers, and adore what they have done for women (and men of course) in social media. They are an exemplary crew. But, gosh…
I post because I hope this can be discussed productively. I empathize with the organizing stress my friends are under. But it would be uncool of me not to raise this point merely because of my personal feelings about the team.
What are your thoughts? Does a scheduling conflict with the biggest women’s social media conference merit some public comment or creative outreach on the part of the organizers?
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
While not on the same scale, Northern Voice and PodCamp Toronto were scheduled for the same time earlier this year. Luckily, the people on both sides were cognizant of the fact and were helpful in helping me decide which one would provide the most value to me.
You’re absolutely right: open communication and an acknowledgment of other groups is extremely important. I’d like to thank both the organizers of PodCamp Toronto and Northern Voice for realizing that.
I believe the choice presented is a false choice. BlogHer is the following dates:
San Francisco, 19 July 2008
Boston, 11 October 2008
Washington DC, 13 October 2008
Nashville, 16 October 2008
Greensboro, 18 October 2008
Atlanta, 21 October 2008
New Orleans, 25 October 2008
PodCamp is the following dates:
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 – September 6 & 7 2008 – Temple University
Podcamp Montréal – Montréal, Québec, September 20 & 21 2008
PodCamp Ireland – Kilkenny, Ireland, September 27, 2008
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
If there were one PodCamp per year and one BlogHer per year, the question of choice would indeed be valid and difficult. But neither movement is exclusively planned for just one date.
PodCamp Boston isn’t even *the* PodCamp any more. It’s just another in a series, one that isn’t as large (NYC), influential (DC), hyperlocal (Philly), green (South Africa), or innovative. It’s just another PodCamp.
To allege that PodCamp Boston doesn’t “get” the role of women in social media is equally to allege that BlogHer undercuts the importance of poverty prevention (SNE), good writing (Taos Writers Conference), legal and social justice (NCJ conference), peace (Peacemakers Trust), open source software (O’Reilly OSCON 2008), and cancer (IHN Cancer Summit), all on the same weekend.
Does BlogHer stand opposed to these causes? Does BlogHer not “get” that the cause of poverty is important? Of course not. Does PodCamp Boston stand opposed to these causes and the cause of women in social media? Of course not. Did any of these conferences consult with each other about scheduling? Unlikely. Did any of the attendees for these raise the issue with their respective events? Probably, as you have.
Yet all of these are on the same weekend, and there’s only one of you. Which do you choose?
For that matter, did you know that Amazing Woman’s Day is July 19, 2008 – and the summit is being held in Palm Springs, just a few hundred miles south of BlogHer?
It’s true: http://www.amazingwomansday2008.com/
Does Amazing Woman’s Day concurrent but not collaborative scheduling against BlogHer mean they don’t “get” the importance of women in social media?
Ultimately, what you choose will depend on where you believe you can do the most good. As you and Chris Brogan and Roxanne all mentioned in NYC, it’s all about community, and where you can be the most effective. You always have to choose – whether it’s PodCamp, BlogHer, Amazing Woman’s Day, or a dozen other events, whether it’s causes such as women’s rights, poverty, justice, or new media. There’s always a choice, and with so much need and so little time, the choice is always a tough one.
Pistachio, sorry you had a tough choice to make. As a PodCamp organizer (PodCamp Toronto) myself, I don’t want to get in the middle except to agree that PodCamp and PAB have done a lot to support women in the community.
Vasta, You’re welcome and thanks for the feedback. It’s challenging choosing a date and location that doesn’t conflict with other events. Perhaps if PodCamp Toronto and Northern Voice are scheduled at the same time again in 2009, we can hold a session together.
As one of the members of the Podcamp Foundation, I can say that I am sorry this scheduling conflict exists. Given that the scale of the events are different and are occurring on different coasts lead us to believe that the events are not so much in direct conflict, especially because Blogher is doing a series of events on the East Coast, including Boston, in the fall.
there are so many great events in social media, and even grabbing a date on the calendar is tricky. we also don’t have a central index of all the different events, and thus finding the “perfect” weekend for an event is next to impossible, and conflicts like this are bound to occur.
I am sorry you did not feel heard, or that you felt this was handled poorly.
I thought that our communication was quite productive, actually, and while we still did not change the dates of the event, I am not sure what sort of public acknowledgement of the conflict would have accomplished. I certainly understand the power of Podcamp, podcasting and blogging, and again, I would encourage you to set up a session where you can share your insights from Blogher with Podcamp Boston remotely, if you wish.
Blogher is one of those conferences I have always wanted to attend, but I’ve opted to wait until they resurface a bit closer to home, making the burden on my family less, especially with travel costs being what they are these days. I am so thankful that the Blogher group is doing their East Coast tour in the fall, and I hope to make one or more dates!
Have a great time at Blogher and in San Franscisco- one of the best cities ever! And let me know if you want to try a remote presentation.
Whitney Hoffman
Director of Operations
Podcamp Foundation
I guess I’m somewhat confused with this. Did you wish for Podcamp to change it’s dates? I’m sure you are aware of the trouble of doing so, especially since acquiring a venue is one of the main parts of finding a date (as you acknowledged). These things are not easily changed. AT THAT POINT, what good does an open discussion afford? The scheduling conflict is not going to be resolved. Are you hinting that their lack of a public response is a way of saying that Podcamp is in conflict with BlogHer or the interests of women?
I don’t know… I guess I’m really confused with what the problem is. It sounds as though their response was totally fair and not really in need of a public note.
Hey all, thanks very much for your comments. I really am curious what others think would have been the best response.
To reiterate, this post and my feeling of discomfort are NOT about the fact that I can’t go. That’s just normal life. We all make choices.
Nobody’s asking PodCamp to reschedule. I was just surprised the response was not more… creative?
Actually, Chris- this is the first year BlogHer has done the reach out tour, which is significantly smaller in scale and scope than it’s annual conference, always held in July. The reach out tour is a one day workshop, not full scale con.
I’d be curious to know if you would have considered scheduling PodCamp during SXSW? And why you would avoid scheduling during such a large event, or why you wouldn’t.
Maybe you are unclear on how large BlogHer and it’s conference are? BlogHer has over 9 million plus monthly readers (unique) and is nearly sold out for San Fran.
I understand how schedules can and must conflict from time to time, the larger issue for me is the lack of understanding how large this conference is, and how it caters to the majority of people online. Yes, women are the majority of users online.
I think when I see PodCamp or any other conference scheduled during SXSW or even Blog World Expo, I will understand better.
I have never been able to attend BlogHer. I don’t see it in my near future. I’d love to, but it is priced and located out of my range right now. Such is life. I chose PodCamp for accessibility and local learning and networking.
I think there should have been a brief mention of the conflict publicly since it would have been an easy way to make people happy, but really have no big issues with the response of the PodCamp organizers. With few malicious exceptions (TechCrunch50 vs DEMO) it is just a given that conflicts happen, I think, and no reflection of the “importance” of one set of web users over another.
I’ll miss seeing you there, Laura.
As someone who’s been charged with event planning, I understand that it’s almost impossible to schedule an event that doesn’t overlap with some other. If it’s true that there is no free lunch, there are no free weekends, either.
It sounds like maybe there was a missed opportunity for a win-win, on both the behalves of PodCamp and BlogHer, in which communication would have played a part. It also sounds like, however, this is just one for the “live and learn” files.
With only 52 weekends a year to choose from – minus the ‘holidays’ – there’s bound to be some overlap of events. We all know that. We also all know that there’s no way for everyone to make it to every event they’d like to – hence the choices you mention.
But yeah, it doesn’t surprise me that even in the comments here, the significance of BlogHer to women in social media is being downplayed.
That said – I agree completely with what you’ve said. It would be unreasonable to expect PodCamp to move their dates – but it’s *perfectly* reasonable to expect them to be open with the community about it rather than trying to ignore it publicly and hope no one notices or complains.
We’re back to the transparency thing everyone in SocMed always harps on. A little communication and outreach go a long ways in perception of the organization behind something.
BlogHer is a great community with a wonderful series of events. I love what the team has done, and am thrilled with the community overall.
Are we in some kind of conflict with the ethics and goals and aspirations of BlogHer and women? No.
PodCamps have trended fairly heavily towards 60/40 male/female in participation, and with the events being mostly unconference format, that means speaker mixes are all up to who chooses to speak.
As events are now part of my daily bread and butter, I know that conflicts are part of what can happen. I’m running a marketing event one week apart from another company’s marketing event, though we’re doing it on opposite sides of the country. Even that feels unfortunate to me. But the thing is, NO date isn’t a conflict. As Mr. Penn has pointed out, there are ample choices offered to would be participants in both communities.
Sorry we won’t see you at PCB3, but thrilled you’re going to contribute to BlogHer. Blog and tweet well there. : )
–Chris Brogan…
co-founder, PodCamp
I want to assure everyone the importance of BlogHer is not lost on any of the Podcamp organizers. When the conflict was originally brought up, the venue had already been booked and the fee paid. So it was a done deal at that point, regardless.
To not discuss it publicly, and instead to discuss it with Laura “behind the scenes” seemed appropriate. There was no resolution to be had, so why air issues that are not able to be resolved? It’s not about trying to hide anything, it’s about choosing not to cause an unnecessary brouhaha for which there is no adequate resolution.
I have asked Laura personally to help brain storm any “creative solutions” she might have, and have invited her to design a presentation from BlogHer for Podcamp Boston prior to her posting this blog entry, but so far, she has not responded to that invitation. If anyone else has any creative solutions to this conflict, feel free to email them to me directly- you can find all my contact information over at http://www.whitneyhoffman.com
Again, I am so very sorry there is a conflict; I cannot wait to attend BlogHer when it’s on the East Coast and I can easily afford to go.
Blogher and Podcamp are different events, on a different scale from each other. BlogHer is a much bigger and more important event to women bloggers than Podcamp Boston. There is some overlap content-wise, perhaps, but it is Podcamp that is losing out because of this conflict, not BlogHer.
Have a great time at Blogher, Laura, and please keep us up to date on everything- I know you will through Seesmic and Twitter- we’re counting on it!
Whitney
Most communication is helpful.
Maybe I need to clarify myself here. Its not the conflict-we all know that can and will happen. It’s the ‘blogher’s dates were not checked’ and response.
You would check the sxsw dates. Why not blogher’s? Thus my education on the size and scope of the conference. We’re not niche.
I hope that makes more sense.
Blogher and Podcamp3 Boston are such different events that the fact they are on the same weekend is about as relevant as saying the beer convention is the same day as the milkshake convention. The one thing they have in common is that they are both drinks. The one thing the two conferences have is that they are both conferences. Other than that, not much is comparable.
Blogher, the organization, wants to believe that they are as relevant and important as SWSX and the Podcamps. Let’s just compare, shall we? Boston’s Blogher is a 1 day event costing twice the amount of money as Podcamp’s 2 event. Boston’s Blogher has been taking money for more than a month but has NO agenda, and no speakers signed up. Podcamp has speakers and an agenda. Podcamp has a spreadsheet of costs and credits right on their blog. Blogher…. like that would ever happen!
Blogher is more of a social gathering than a learning community. The parties are tantamount to the conference for many of the attendees. They have buttons for blogs that say they’re going to lick other attendees. Really professional. Not.
If Blogher wants to be looked at as a professional organization they need to run it as a professional organization. They keep saying that they have 9 million unique viewers, but have never proven it. I could say that too, but I’d be lying. Dealing with blogher… well, let’s just say I highly doubt those numbers.
And Erin…Blogher IS niche.
I am unable to attend any conferences in July, especially those that involve flying, due to, well, being very pregnant.
What I would like to point out is that the issue here is not that the dates conflict.
The issue is that you have a major group with a huge potential overlap. The fact that BlogHer’s main date was not only not considered, but that upon reflection, there was no dialogue, is the issue.
According to Chris Brogan’s response, Podcamp skews male, despite the large online presence of women. Perhaps this scheduling conflict could have (and could still be) used as a way to examine this? Possibly some collaboration could help both groups?
I see this post not as a complaint from a BlogHer member who is sad she will miss Podcamp, but as a loyal and contributing member of both groups who wants both groups to thrive.
She feels that an important discussion was not happening and so chose to bring it out to the larger community.
To all – thanks VERY much for the time you are spending to come here, read this and offer ideas. The whole point was to come up with some positive and productive communications out of this.
Let’s see the overlap as the opportunity it really is. All are encouraged to share ideas here http://podcamp.pbwiki.com/PodHer or by emailing me laura at pistachio consulting dot com or contacting Whitney as she mentioned above.
Thanks again! -LJ
I think podcamp and blogher should host a joint TWEBINAR. pick a subject that could be covered by both, and let it rip! Embrace the differences in scheduling and location, and make it virtual for all.
@Stales – I was thinking something along those lines – but 3 weeks out – it’s unlikely that either would be able to cram it into what are both usually full schedules.
@margalit – I don’t know you at all, but it sounds like you’ve an axe to grind against BlogHer. To say that it’s not educational and rather just a bunch of parties is not only a disservice, it’s blatantly incorrect.
I’m hearing a defensiveness about the dates from people involved with organizing PodCamp. Let me stress again what I hear Laura and Erin (and others) saying: it’s not about the dates – that happens. It’s about being open with your community about the conflict of dates.
In short folks – it’s about communication, or lack thereof. Which seems to be occurring herein as well.
Honestly? I’m about as likely to get to Boston PodCamp as Leslie is San Francisco BlogHer – because location & expense are big factors for those of us not getting paid to be there or sponsored by someone. But I would hope that if someone went to the BlogHer folks and said “hey, um, you’ve set the dates to overlap w/PodCamp in Boston” they would be as open about it too.
(Yes, I know, I’m dreaming… when you’re an organizer, it always seems like it’s the other guy’s problem.)
Still – Laura didn’t so much post about the dates, as the lack of open communication about the overlap. If you don’t believe me, re-read the title again. It pretty much hits the nail on the head.
As Stales points out, it would be great to see some joint sessions and sharing of knowledge back and forth. Perhaps pick a challenge and have some healthy “coastal competition” between the participants at the two conferences. This is more about innovative programming than communication, but when life gives you lemons… make lemon drops with a splash of cointreau!
I’m just jealous because I can’t go to either – @#$!@ weekend conflicts!
Jim | @jstorerj
Interesting. I hope to be speaking and more importantly listening at PodCamp Boston 2008. I have followed BlogHer for years and will continue to do so even with the seeming conflict.
The best thing about so many excellent social media events is that we also have so many good bloggers, podcasters, Tweeters and mainstream media people going and reporting on the events.
So, I feel like all of us have the opportunity to attend and “vicariously” attend events, contribute and learn = Success, Win-Win, Vive la différence, etc.
In closing – gosh blog commenting is easier than Twitter’s space constraints – I salute Laura and Whitney (and others) for basically saying, let’s get creative about how to connect the events and not step on each others social media toes. If you get it, share it – indeed!
In closing again and with really no point other than I like the quote:
“When men and women agree, it is only in their conclusions; their reasons are always different.”
George Santayana (1863-1952)
American Philospher and poet
I’ve attended both BlogHer and PodCamp Boston. Each had many things to recommend it.I’ve also attended a lot of other PodCamp events. One great thing about this conference is that it occurs around the country, allowing more than “the usual suspects” to attend at least one, if not more, events per year. This also means that PodCamp events vary widely in vibe and informational content, and that some of the more open PodCamps can actually be full of surprises. BlogHer is a very well-run, structure event, whose focus is quite different from most PodCamps I’ve attended. As I say, I enjoy both very much.
But am I missing something here? What’s the point of the live blogging, the tweeting, the impromptu audio, the Qik’ing, etc. if we’re going to get fused about not being able to attend a conference? For whom are we producing all this media? Is _consuming_ the social media created during live events from the comfort of our homes or offices somehow beneath us?
As it happens, I can’t attend either BlogHer or PodCamp Boston. I’m going to New Orleans for a cocktail festival. Anyone who wants to follow MY adventures can do so via Twitter, Utterz, and whatever else I’ve signed up for by next month.
Sigh. Margalit. Nielson’s NetRatings, Site Census has the blogher numbers. On the other issues, I’m not engaging because as GeekMommy said, you have an axe to grind.