21 observations from an organiser of CommsCamp13

Slowly coming back from the dead after running my first unconference, the AMAZING CommsCamp13.  Some things I learned:

1. Expect crazy anxiety dreams the night before the event
2. Stop being a perfectionist
3. Charity cake tables are a fantastic addition to an unconference.
4. We need to look at how to increase inclusivity at unconferences. Inclusivity of newbies, women, personality types.
5. Nervousness at participating in pitching isn’t just about gender
6. I could probably talk to Catherine from Public-i forever
7. Local gov comms people are afraid of central gov comms people.
8. Central gov comms people are afraid of local gov comms people.
9. We need to formalise our sharing between central and local gov.
10. We need to stop reinventing the wheel
11. There is an appetite for sharing between local and central.
12. People are just bloody amazing.
13. I love connecting people.
14. I still can’t take praise easily.
15. The unconference format is still hugely relevant and popular.
16. There seems to be a growing interest in taking the format of an unconference and using it in an internal comms context.
17. We still might be too digitally focussed at these events. We need to find a way in include more traditional campaigns work and internal comms.
18. Lots of you want to organise your own ‘camps’ which fills me with joy and happiness
19. I have to stop making stupid shoe choices for these events.
20. I’m still searching for the perfect way to take everything in at these events. I need to go back to being just a delegate
21. I want to do this again.