When you tweet a message with the hash tag #pclo10 a personalized avatar is generated and you become part of the game. As you attend a new session you are encouraged to “check into” the room using the room’s name as a  hash tag. For example tweet the tag #maple to move to the maple room. The application also has a schedule built in, so you can find out whats going on, what’s coming up next, and where its all happening.

If you want to be taken off the screen then you can can leave by tweeting “#pclo #bye” and you’re avatar will be removed.

A big part of PodCamp is interaction so be sure to connect with people. Hopefully you can also take the time to meet new people and strike up new friendships.

Download: MOV

TechAlliance empowers London and Southwestern Ontario’s technology sector. We prepare today’s entrepreneurs to launch new ventures, provide education and networking opportunities to accelerate business growth for small-to-medium enterprises, and serve our 150+ members as advocates for the region’s thriving technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing companies.

TechAlliance’s support throughout the weeks and months leading up until PodCamp London has been invaluable. Because of their commitment to both the technology sector and the local social media community, the PodCamp Organizing Team has been more than happy to work with them to bring you PodCamp London 2010.

Location & Parking

When you arrive at PodCamp London on Saturday you might want to have some details of where to go and where to park.

If you are anything like me, you may get lost when trying to complete simple tasks like trying to find your sunglasses when they are on top of your head. Because of this we have put together a little map of the venue area to help out those who might be “geographically challenged”.

• The areas where you can park are marked with the BLUE car.
• The Convergence Centre has been shaded in GREEN.
• The entrance to the building is marked with the RED pin.

View PodCamp London in a larger map

Don’t worry if you forget all of this, on Saturday there will be outdoor signs to help you find your way, but if you still get lost blame your GPS unit, because thats what I would do.

Directions

For those of you coming from out of town (or those of you from London that don’t get out of the house much) you might want some helpful directions on how to get to the Convergence Centre.

We have added to our PodCamp London Google Map directions from both Windsor and Toronto

From the West (Windsor)

View PodCamp London in a larger map

From the East (Toronto)

View PodCamp London in a larger map

If you need any further help please make sure to let us know in the comments below and we will do our best to help you out.
]]> http://podcamplondon.com/2010/05/06/thank-yous-directions-and-more/feed/ 0 http://podcamplondon.com/2010/05/06/thank-yous-directions-and-more/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PodcampLondon/~3/bPtCFl6Ldzg/ http://podcamplondon.com/2010/05/06/interaction-at-podcamp-london/#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 15:08:03 +0000 PodCamp London (PodCamp London) http://podcamplondon.com/?p=969 If you’ve attended an UnConference before, then you know that challenges of having so many great sessions available and only being able to be in once place at a time. That’s why Twitter comes in so handy. Many of the attendees will be tweeting about the sessions they’re in and tagging them with the hash tag #pclo10. You can follow PodCamp conversations from around the building and even learn something if you can’t be there in person.

Another challenge at conferences of all sizes is finding what sessions your friends and people you want to meet are attending. Enter Foursquare. At PodCamp London you’ll be able to check in to the various rooms and see who is sitting in the same session with you. If you’ve never used Foursquare before you’re going to want to sign up before Saturday.

The team at rtraction has built an amazing application that will bring together these two services in one awesome visual display that only gets better the more people use it. I don’t want to give away all the details, but the icon to the right is a clue about what you should expect to see! We’re confident that your going  to be impressed.

When you’re in the lobby at PodCamp you’ll be able to watch as people interact, converse and learn, around the Convergence Centre through the power of digital media and mobile devices.  Be sure to stop and chat with the team at rtraction for a full demonstration of how they made all  this possible.

Another note of thanks to rtraction for the time that they’ve graciously donated that’s allowed the organizing team to pull together PodCamp London.

As always, PodCamp could never have been possible without the support of our community sponsor; TechAlliance!

NO! (sorry for yelling, I couldn’t contain myself)

We’ve decided here at PodCamp Headquarters to help keep the conversations going.

With the support of Resolution Interactive Media Inc (ResIM) an Official PodCamp London After Party will be held in downtown London at The Ceeps.

This party will feature, food, conversations, drinks and some of the most talented performers attending PodCamp (YOU!). Details are as follows

Time & Location

The After Party begins at 7pm at The Ceeps in downtown London and will go until approximately 9-9:30 PM at which time we can head out to the large patio next door (at Barney’s) if we want to continue with conversations etc.

The Ceeps is located at 671 Richmond Street at John Street.

Please do not show up prior to 7pm as PodCamp London organizers might still be setting up or more more likely having dinner.

Because of the 7pm start time all PodCamp London attendees are responsible for planning their own dinner arrangements. Suggestions for restaurants can be found out during the events on Saturday, just ask someone there. I have some personal favourites and would be happy to share them with you.

How To Get In

In order to get into the After Party you need to show a couple of things.

First, you will need your PodCamp London official badge. Without this you will not be allowed to enter the After Party. This is one of the many ways we can weed out the “Social Media Posers” (The other way is by asking this question: How many types of people are there in the world? Answer). You will receive this badge upon registration in the morning at PodCamp London.

Second, you need to be smiling. The after party is no place for grumpy bears.

If you don’t present these two things at the door we will probably look at you funny until you leave (or until you do the official handshake, Wink Wink.).

Open Mic

What type of after party isn’t complete without a little bit of entertainment? Now we could have hired a band/singer to perform but that wouldn’t be either appropriate, creative or entertaining enough for PodCamp London.

With that said, we know you all have various talents and like to show them off so with ResIM’s support we have put together an Open Mic at the after party.

Perhaps you want to sing, play the guitar, recite a poem or make a public statement about why you believe that the Commodore 64 should be revived, regardless of what your talent is (except for fire eating because I’m not sure the fire code permits that) you will have a stage to take to entertain your fellow PodCampers.

There will be a Mic & Speakers available, however, you are responsible for bringing your own instrument and whatever you need to plug it into the mixing board.

Food & Drinks

Thanks to ResIM finger foods to satisfy any munchies you may be having and limited drink tickets will be provided to help fuel the PodCamp London after party.

Although finger food and drink tickets will be provided (in limited quantities of course) all PodCamp attendees are responsible for providing their own dinner option. There will be food available to purchase (and additional drinks) at The Ceeps, however, you may chose to eat before you arrive.

Transportation

Because drinking and driving is bad, and we want everyone to enjoy their evening while being safe we suggest that people carpool or take an alternative transportation option to the after party. The following are just a few of the options to help get you to (and from) the after party.

Carpool

For those who may be staying at Windermere Manor or for those from out of town, carpooling might be a good option.

There is always an extra seat or two in a car so why not share it. Its a great way to make new friends (or enemies) and plus its good for the environment. Be environmentally friendly PodCampers.

Taxi

The following are 3 taxi companies in London that you may wish to utilize.

Checker - 519-659-0400 (flat rate zone service)
U-Need-A - 519-438-2121
Abouttown - 519-432-2222

The fare for a taxi ride from the Convergence Centre to The Ceeps (or Station Park Inn) should be roughly $13 (give or take). If your taxi ride ends up costing you $200 you are probably in Toronto.

(When calling DO NOT ask for the PodCamp London rate as one does not exist. You may however try asking for the Government of Canada rate, although I am sure that you would get charged 10x as much.)

Parking

Paid Parking is available behind the Ceeps and I believe it is $7 (but I could be wrong). Parking on London streets and at parking metres (most) is free after 6pm on Saturdays, so you should be ok to park at the on street parking, but please make sure to check the sinage before parking.

Public Transportation

The Ceeps is accessible from the Convergence Centre by taking the #13 Wellington Road bus. Although there is no stop directly at the Convergence Centre, a short 5 minute walk will get you to the University Hospital where the bus is located.

Find me, Kevin Van Lierop, during the day on Saturday if you want more information on this transportation option. (or any other bus route)

Teleportation

There is an option for attendees to be teleported from the Convergence Centre to The Ceeps. Although there is no guarantee that you will arrive in the correct location or in one piece I am very hopeful that this will be a viable and environmentally friendly option.

With the generous support and creative ideas from Resolution Interactive Media Inc (ResIM), PodCamp London is excited to be extending the day’s events into the evening with this after party.

As per usual, if you have any questions, concerns, comments, or suggestions use the comments below this post.

Schedule

Here at PodCamp headquarters we thought that it might be appropriate to draft up a formal (yet flexible) schedule so that all attendees are on somewhat of the same page (and so that no one sleeps in to arrive when the bar opens).

What we have for you below is a condensed outline for the day.

8:30 AM – Registration
9:15 AM – Kick Off
9:30 AM – 12:15 PM – Morning Sessions
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM  - Lunch (Very Important)
1:00 PM – 5:15 PM – Afternoon Sessions
5:15 PM – 5:30 PM – Wrap Up
7:00 PM  - After Party (Details to Come)

For a detailed look at the entire list of sessions and events for the day check out the PodCamp wiki. As session presenters add their presentations to the schedule you should have a better idea of how things will unfold during the day.

Note: Please remember that because PodCamp is an un-conference the schedule is flexible, adaptable and in some ways organic. With that said, be prepared for it to be changed up until the day of PodCamp and during the day itself. Sessions may be added (perhaps by you?), removed, moved around etc.

Sessions

Only a week away from PodCamp and we already have around 30 sessions with the chance of more being added up until and including the day of (Do you want to add a session?).

If you are presenting we now have the wireframe schedule in place where you can now add your session into one of the available time slots.

There are 5 rooms available with seating capacities of either 40 or 75 people.

To add your session head over to the PodCamp Wiki Schedule (2010) section and find an open time slot that you would like to present in.

Within that cell please include all of the following information.

Look to the existing scheduled sessions for a general template.

If you have any problems please do not hesitate to Contact the PodCamp London organizing team for assistance.

Note: Some sessions have been pre-schedule due to time constraints, conflicts and other logistical considerations, but for the most part the schedule has been provided initially to all presenters in a bare-bones form.

Location

In case you are coming from out of town or are from London but don’t get out often (like myself) it would be good to know where PodCamp London is being held.

With space graciously donated in kind by The Research Park, PodCamp London is being held in one of the greenest buildings in Canada, The Convergence Centre. Designated as a LEED Gold certified building, the Research Park as made a concentrated effort to reduce the building’s environmental footprint during both construction and operations. For more details about the location Click Here.

Without a doubt we couldn’t have asked for a more appropriate space. A Thank You needs to go out to The Research Park for this fantastic space and continual support of PodCamp London.

Lunch

So what’s a PodCamper to do when at The Convergence Centre for lunch? Don’t worry, that’s covered.

Thanks to The Windermere Manor (location of last year’s after party) lunch will be provided for all PodCamp attendees. We’ll have a nice long lunch break with a BBQ lunch (weather permitting) provided by Windermere Manor and a cash bar (beer and wine available) on location. Coffee and tea will be available in the lobby as well. For the vegetarian lovers out there, I inquired if there will be a vegetarian option and there will be, so don’t fret.

Thanks to The Windermere Manor (and all our other great sponsors/community partners), PodCamp London might just be the most affordable conference/un-conference you have ever attended. (note: HST is included in ticket price)

If there is something important that you think we have failed to mention please leave us a comment below and we will try to address it as soon as possible. (Details about the after party will be announced later this week)

Saturday May 8th, 2010 is slowly creeping towards us and it is looking like it will be an exciting day full of conversations, education and hopefully sunshine.

Here at PodCamp Headquarters we are continually trying to find ways to extend the PodCamp experience to allow for attendees to network and interact with one another in multiple settings.  First we brought you the PodCamp London Party and now we have yet another event for you.

PodCamp London has decided to team up with the London Photo Walk to organize a photo walk for Sunday May 9th, 2009. Being held at the University of Western Ontario, the Sunday morning photo walk is just a stone throw away from the site of PodCamp London, the Convergence Centre. This convenient location should allow for anyone coming in from out of town and staying the night an easy opportunity to participate on Sunday.

The London Photo Walk is an opportunity for photographers and non-photographers, Londoners and non-Londoners to get together for a couple of hours to walk, talk an explore parts of London, Ontario, this time at the University of Western Ontario.  We encourage anyone and everyone to come out to participate in this walk. Event if you don’t have a camera you can still come out, let one of us know and we will find you a camera to use.

The details of the PodCamp London Photo Walk are as follows:

Date: Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm

Location: University of Western Ontario

Starting Location: The Concrete Beach (See Map)

Route: Marked in BLUE on the map

Ending Location: Because it is the summer and we are not sure if any of the on-campus eateries will be open, we will determine an ending location closer to the date. (hopefully one of the on-campus pubs will be open)

Parking: For those staying at Windemere Manor you can just leave your cars there and walk over to main campus. For those of you driving you will have to find parking. Typically the parking lot shown on the map is open and free during the summer (from past experience), however this cannot be guaranteed and as such you should be prepared to find and pay for parking if you are driving. You can CLICK HERE to check out Western’s Parking Services.

Buses: #6 Richmond, #13 Wellington #2 Dundas #10 Wonderland (plus many others)

We hope that those of you who will be staying the Saturday night in London will come out for Sunday’s photo walk. Although we realize the time might not be appealing to everyone we wanted to make sure that attendees who came in from out of town would have an opportunity to participate before they leave for home.

If you have any question about this walk held in conjunction with the London Photo Walk please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Van Lierop, Co-Organizer of the London Photo Walk.

We have been informed by some people that this date is actually Mother’s Day and as such there are other activities going on and some people might not be able to make the walk. Taking this into consideration we encourage everyone who wants to come out to bring their mother to enjoy (what should be) the great weather and beautiful scenery.

We are trying to arrange a guide for our tour that might be able to let us in to some “secret” areas of campus, details of this will come closer to the date if possible.

Thanks to everyone who voted and shared on Twitter.

PodCamp London t-shirts will be available to attendees at the event on a first-come, first-served basis.

John has come up with a few ideas and the organizing team are split on which we like. What’s your opinion?

The poll will be open until Wednesday April 21st at noon. T-Shirts will be handed out at PodCamp London on a first come first served basis.

The official Saturday night PodCamp After Party will be at The Ceeps on Richmond Row. After a great day of learning and connecting with your peers, we’re going to continue the fun into the night. We’re still working on some of the details, so keep an eye on this site for details.

Secondly, we have secured a number of hotel rooms for the weekend. There are two options for accommodations. Station Park, downtown London close to the after party and the location of last years PodCamp, and Windermere Manor, in the Research Park at UWO next to the Convergence Center. Station Park rates are $121 for Deluxe Suites and $135 for Superior Suites. Rooms can be booked over telephone (1-800-561-4574) and mentioning “PodCamp - UWO”. Windermere manor rooms are available for $108.00 for a Standard Rate and $128.00 for a Suite. Rooms there can be booked by calling 519-858-1414 ext 0 and ask for one of the rooms under PodCamp.

Finally, while we hope that everyone who has registered is able to make it on May 8th, we are running short of room. If you know that you aren’t going to be attending this year, please let us know so we can release the ticket for another attendee.