I had the great honor of being deeply involved with the Communications Network’s annual conference this year. I was on the host committee, but I think more importantly, I was an active participant in the conference’s “Gorilla Engagement Squad.” The group’s aim was to demonstrate that tools like FlipVideo cameras and Twittering can increase the number and quality of connections between face-to-face conference attendees AND extend the reach of the conference to those not able to attend the in-person sessions.
I’ll just say briefly that I was much more active in Twittering at the conference than I was in the FlipVideo efforts. I found that the Twitter experience allowed me to share what I was learning in real time and see what others at the conference had to say as the conference proceeded. It facilitated meeting new people when I was able to identify them from their Twitter pictures and talk to them casually about their posts. It also VERY EFFECTIVELY extended the reach of the conference. Many people who follow me on Twitter but were not at the conference re-Tweeted my posts from Commnet09, further moving the thinking from the conference out into the rest of the communications/philanthropic world.
The FlipVideo efforts were a little more of a challenge for me, only because I felt somewhat uncomfortable asking people to take time out of their live-networking to answer my questions on camera, which people tend not to like. They feel like they are being put on the spot. However, when they do actually participate, they tend to warm up quickly and you get really great content that can be shared later. The folks at Philanthromedia, who drove the entire Gorilla Engagement effort, have written a blog posting with their very useful insights with 7 useful lessons learned from the process here. I definitely recommend that anyone seeking to use low cost multi-media check it out — AND WATCH THE SHORT VIDEO! (I’m in it!)
I think everyone involved with the Gorilla Engagement Squad — as well as the rest of the conference participants — would agree that using these sorts of 2.0 tools is an important new method for building connections at a conference and extending the reach of the learning. I am so glad I was a part of it.
About Michael Hamill Remaley
Michael Hamill Remaley is the President of Hamill Remaley Communications. Previously, he was Director of Communications at the Russell Sage Foundation and Prior to that was Vice President and Director of Communications at Public Agenda. He has held a variety of positions at organizations such as The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, TCC Group and the Center for Social Policy and Community Development.