Leeds 2.0
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This document summarizes efforts from 2007-2010 to reboot the web and tech scene in Leeds, UK through a series of events including OpenCoffee, GeekUp, BarCamp Leeds, Ignite Leeds, and TEDxLeeds. It discusses lessons learned around using free tools to market events, balancing open vs. curated formats, and challenges with venue and catering options. The goal was to rebuild Leeds' tech culture after an economic downturn through collaboration and community building.
Leeds 2.0
- 1. leeds 2.0 rebooting the city’s web & tech scene {2007-2010} Monday, 8 March 2010
- 2. hello :) emerging technologies think-tank: UK+NZ+US previously scouting silicon valley & boston/MIT orange design+ o’reilly etel 2006+2007 eComm 2008, 2009 & eComm europe rebuilding leeds’ tech culture after the crash Monday, 8 March 2010
- 3. opencoffee june 2007; emailed everyone we knew with a time & place (*bux, albion st!) who’s interesting & what’re they working on? openness & diversity = surfaces serendipity entrepreneurs + investors + designers + developers + geeks + bloggers alcohol vs. caffeine? morning vs evening? eventbrite, twitter, facebook, blogs 34 editions, around 1000 attendees... Monday, 8 March 2010
- 4. bring together opencoffee, geekup leeds’ first unconference attendees create the programme free. open. participatory. democratic weekend of talks, games, parties, food, entertainment 120-150 attendees; 30-40 sessions Monday, 8 March 2010
- 5. Monday, 8 March 2010
- 6. barcamp leeds costs necessitated sponsors... apple, adobe, sun, rockstar, yahoo!, microsoft, orange gift bags, prizes, live links executed in just 28 days! ticketing tells you a lot about human psychology... Monday, 8 March 2010
- 7. random, opportunistic... 8 events, 2 weeks showing off leeds’ contributions to web culture fred wilson (twitter, 4square) scheduled against beijing’08! 2 core events; 6 fringe events Monday, 8 March 2010
- 8. needed to address low female turnout somewhat controversial... men allowed as ‘dates’ only :) great food, chic locations (the loft, city inn, living room) showcase 2x exceptional women 6 editions; 12 speakers, driving up attendance elsewhere Monday, 8 March 2010
- 9. january 2009, an afterthought... most popular! 5 minutes, 20 slides, 15 secs/slide 18 speakers in 3 hours 6 weeks submissions & review professional a/v recording, live stream global ignite week (50 cities, 10’000) Monday, 8 March 2010
- 10. may 2009, month-long 12 events; 3x ‘tentpole’ events... innovation north showcase formal conference: carsonified’s future of web apps crossover into arts, “digital britain” debate, photography international attention... Monday, 8 March 2010
- 11. TEDxLeeds highly curated, edited 3x speakers: tech, entertainment & design 4x TED talk screenings set in newly opened rose bowl (bleugh!) part of 5 city tour Monday, 8 March 2010
- 12. modelled on south-by-southwest partnering with live at leeds, thought bubble inaugural 2-day conference live studio audience recording of apps & hats Monday, 8 March 2010
- 13. what i’ve learned... form advisory boards to get the best content & insight use off-the-shelf or free tools to market, ticket & manage... eventbrite, eventwax, expectnation, wordpress, facebook, twitter, uStream, openconferenceware free, open & unmoderated formats are fun, but unpredictable... ...paid, curated & edited events are less exciting, but quality can be higher small companies can be bigger sponsors than corporates leeds has terrible conference venues & fussy caterers! Monday, 8 March 2010
- 14. thank you :) email imran@ali.name twitter @imran web www.imranali.name Monday, 8 March 2010