Like I said, I’ll be attending PCB, and I intend to volunteer working the registration desk. I do support the unconference idea whole hardily. I come from an academic background, and having attended many academic conferences before, that first PCB was refreshing!

My intention was not to rain on the parade, but to notice that things will be different and start a conversation about it. I too am excited about the developments . . . but I have a little trepidation.

I too have no problem with corporations attending the event, but . . . that will make the event different. They don’t have to run the event to change things.

I look forward to seeing you all!

I am now the proud veteran of organizing two podcamps- Podcamp NYC and Podcamp Philly, and I am helping out with Boston as well. As more people join the converation that takes place at Podcamp, the more organization is required. It’s like going from having a backyard barbeque and growing into a whole block party. There are more people, it’s even more fun because of it. Sure, there are some relatives at the picnic that might not be your cup of tea, but you never know until you actually meet them and talk with them, that maybe there’s something special there, too.

For example, at PCB 1, I was too scared to really talk to Julien Smith because why should someone with that level of cool pay any attention to me? Now I count Julien as one of my friends, and he is definitely someone I would not have crossed paths with had I not gone to Podcamp.

No one wants Podcamp to turn into KFC or MCDonald franchise conferences. Local flavor, local people, and a mix of people from all over make it special. The sharing and the open nature of the presentation list is important as well.

Don’t forget the law of two feet means if you don’t like something, you can leave and go elsewhere. No one will make you listen or talk to someone you don’t like. And as a participant, you are in charge of your own experience. You are free to add sessions, get friends to add sessions- make it what you want! Podcamp is about being an engaged community, not sniping from the sidelines.

Trust me, a lot of people freaked out when the attendee list swelled for Podcamp NYC, but it turned out to be a great experience with plenty of community spirit. The second PodCamp Boston will be the same- Bigger, better, breaking the fishbowl of the “usual suspects” and expanding the community outwards.

Give it a chance, engage, and make it what you want it to be/

I’m a huge fan of small, organic PodCamps. I love the close knit nature of them. But, I also recognize that if new media is to ever break out of the echo chamber and become what some of us hope it will become that things need to grow.

The growth of PodCamp Boston in one years time does scare me on one level, but not in the bad way. It scares me because it shows the level of interest in what we are doing. It shows that people are starting to pay attention. It shows that things are working.

Will this change PodCamp? Yes it will and none of us know exactly how, but I’m excited to find out.

Can’t wait to see you there.

I hear your concerns. I’m sorry that you’re pre-judging an event, but I understand why you might.

Corporations are definitely invited into the conversation. Isn’t that what Cluetrain was all about? If you’re saying that corporations by being corporations are evil, I feel for you.

The difference is, they’re not RUNNING PodCamp. The people are. It’s still an unconference. People still pick the sessions they want to offer, and people still vote with their feet.

With over 1000 people predicted to come, a community college wouldn’t hold us. By the way, the logistical HELL our previous venue afforded us would be 4 times worse with the added people. I was able to secure the BCEC because I work for the company who’s rented the venue for the following week’s big conferences.

They, my company, donated $50,000 worth of space so that you could enjoy a top-shelf facility with better amenities, easier access to your community, and an all-around more organized setting for an event. Sure, it was great to have the rough-and-tumble feel of the community college, but my goal isn’t to create an aesthetic: it’s to serve a community.

The subject matter reflects the world of podcasting and new media making. People are seeking ways to turn their avocation into a vocation. They’re looking for ways to become small businesses, and/or to integrate with larger businesses. There will be plenty of 101 sessions and how-to information, and lots of ways to geek out (these sessions outnumber other types 2 to 1 at present in the proposed schedule). But as people create the sessions, you’ll note that THEY voted for what you see there.

Back to corporations: if you think that corporations coming to an event is a bad thing, I’m curious as to how else we should engage them to voice our interests and concerns. Why wouldn’t you invite people to a conversation?

I hope to see you there, and that you enjoy the experience. As I said at the first PodCamp last year, it’s your event. If you come away unhappy, it might be because you didn’t build the experience you wanted to have. I notice you haven’t proposed a session to lead yet. What do you want to add?