Hosting an ACM SIGDOC Unconference

Presented by

Sarah Egan Warren & Jen Riehle

Hosting an ACM SIGDOC unconference

Friday, October 5, 2012

Jen RiehleSarah Egan Warren

ABout us

Dynamic Interactions Architect, NC StatePast NC State SIGDOC PresidentSIGDOC Webmaster

Asst. Director, Professional Writing Program Faculty Advisor, NC State SIGDOCSIGDOC Student Relations Officer


How we got started...The Inspiration01


Work with professional org

Learn from/Teach others

Have FUN!

Keep it SIMPLE


Why host an unconference?

DEFinition: unconferenceAn unconference is a facilitated, participant-driven conference centered on a theme or purpose.

Benefits•Flexible, allowing various topics and formats•Open to anyone; low barrier to entry•Timely topics; session submissions not required in advance

•Good opportunity for introductions and networking

•Naturally collaborative, energetic and fun atmosphere!


The details.Planning02


ASSESSMENTEVENT!LOGISTICSTECHNOLOGY

• Identify unconference team

•Select date, time, location

•Solicit sponsorship•Seek refreshment options

INITIAL PLANNING

Timeline

•Create unconference website

•Explain unconference concept

•Advertise event•Solicit speakers•Encourage voting on early submissions

•Purchase name tags, markers, display boards

•Verify participant numbers

•Final order for food•Confirm rooms, AV equipment, tech support

•Send reminder messages to participants

•Team arrives early for setup

•Put up directional signs

•Welcome participants and outline plans for the day

•Facilitate session pitches

•Create and publish schedule

•Send out assessment form

•Evaluate data•Begin plans for next year based on responses


21st Century Challenges to Technical Communication (11) > Non-Traditional Resumes (8)Strategies for Simplicity (9)Creating an ebook... for free (8)> Communication Metrics (5)Welcome to Tiki Wiki CMS (5)Blogging Your Passion (3)> Control from the Crypt: End-of-Life Documentation (6)Designing an infrastructure to support the publishing lifecycle (5)Getting to Know Your Users Better (2)Why Learning DITA Can Keep You Viable (4)Writing to Your Strengths: Writing and Personality Type (8)> The Genius of WordPress (8)Documentation in an Agile World (7)

Submission Topics

Earlyvoting


Main Site UserVoiceeventbrite

conferencewebsites


SpeedCon 2011The Execution03


ONLINEINFO

Be where the people are


9:00am: Breakfast

9:30-10:00am: Session Pitches

10:00-10:30am

John Kohl, Keynote Speaker

Author of The Global English Style Guide: Writing Clear, Translatable Documentation for a Global Audience

The schedule

The Attendees The Planners

Review sessions and organize day

Create signs for all rooms/sessions

Update webpage with schedule and QR code

Photo Credits: SAS.COM (l), B. Mehlenbacher (R)


TheSessions 10:45-11:15am

Writing and Personality TypesCommunication MetricsWelcome to Tiki Wiki CMS

11:30am-12:00pmCreating an E-PubNon-Traditional ResumesControl from the Crypt

12:00-1:00pm: Lunch

1:00-1:30pm[LIGHTNING SESSIONS] Fear of Speaking (15 min), How DITA Keeps You Viable (15 min)[LIGHTNING SESSIONS] Blogging Your Passion (15 min), Better User Analysis (15 min)

1:45-2:15pm21st Century Challenges for Tech. CommunicationStrategies for SimplicityDesigning an Infrastructure to Support the Publishing Lifecycle

2:30-3:00pmWhat Will a Professional Society Mean to You?The Genius of WordPressPresentations Other Than PowerPoint

3:30pm: Door Prize drawings & final thoughts


The good and bad of Speedcon 2011Lessons Learned04


“[i liked] the networking

and getting to meet people,

especially as someone just starting out

in the profession.”


“I liked the Less-Formal, relaxed Feel.”


“[i liked] The open,

friendly atmosphere

and the fact that there was a wide variety of

topics.”


“I am a person who likes things planned and orderly, but because of the incredible job by the people facilitating the Day I never felt like things were out of control or chaotic.”


“I enjoyed the informality

and brevity of it. I get bored

easily. Professional

development on a saturday

should be fast-paced like

SpeedCon.”


“i was impressed with the food and door prizes!”


“Maybe add a session where

participants can meet others so

they can understand who

they are and what they would like

to achieve [at] the conference.”


“Promote it a little more broadly. I found out about it in passing less than 10 days before the unconference.”


“I didn't know before I came

that attendees would be

invited to speak as well,

so perhaps making that

information a little bit more

clear.”


2

4

6

8

10

12

1. 21st Century Challenges to Technical

Communication (11)

2. Non-Traditional Resumes (8)

3. Strategies for Simplicity (9)

4. Creating an ebook... for free (8)5. Communication Metrics (5)

6. Welcome to Tiki Wiki CMS (5)

7. Blogging Your Passion (3)

8. Control from the Crypt: End-of-Life

Documentation (6)9. Designing an infrastructure to support the

publishing lifecycle (5)

10. Getting to Know Your Users Better (2)

11. Why Learning DITA Can Keep You

Viable (4)12. Writing to Your Strengths: Writing and

Personality Type (8)

13. The Genius of WordPress (8)

14. Documentation in an Agile World (7)

Submission Topics

Earlyvoting

no early voting needed

xFriday, October 5, 2012

Main Site UserVoiceeventbrite

conferencewebsites

use ONE website!x


Theschedule

9:00am: Breakfast

9:30-10:00am: Session Pitches

10:00-10:30amJohn Kohl, Keynote Speaker

10:45-11:15amWriting and Personality Types, Andrea W.Communication Metrics, John M.Welcome to Tiki Wiki CMS, Rick S.

11:30am-12:00pmCreating an E-Pub, Rick S.Non-Traditional Resumes, Desiree B.Control from the Crypt, John M.

12:00-1:00pm: Lunch

1:00-1:30pm[LIGHTNING SESSIONS] Fear of Speaking (15 min), How DITA Can Keep You Viable (15 min)[LIGHTNING SESSIONS] Blogging Your Passion (15 min), Better User Analysis (15 min)

1:45-2:15pm21st Century Challenges for Tech. Communication, Dr. Brad M.Strategies for Simplicity, Andrea W.Designing an Infrastructure to Support the Publishing Lifecycle, Julio V.

2:30-3:00pmWhat Will a Professional Society Mean to You? Larry K.The Genius of WordPress, Jen R.Presentations Other Than PowerPoint, Sarah M.

schedule changes

x^/

^/


Saturday, November 17thSpeedcon 201205


SpeedCon 2012Nov. 17th |10am - 4pm

Keynote Speakers: Dr. Brad Mehlenbacher & Dr. Wade Newhouse

Sponsorship covering all costs (7 sponsors)

Door prizes including books and a Kindle

Goal for attendance: 75


PHOTO CREDITs: Creative commons licensing, Stefan (Flickr)

For your attention!Thanks


speedcon.wordpress.com

Q&AFriday, October 5, 2012

http://www.yoururl.com

http://www.yoururl.com

Hosting an ACM SIGDOC Unconference

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