Share with us your ideas on how to make BIL even better

 

You're encouraged to add your notes. If you dislike an idea, say so, and why. If you love an idea, make note of it!

 

Branding/marketing

 

• Give shirts to BIL attendees early so they can wear them at TED (getting TED speakers wearing BIL shirts would be even better!)

• A new logo (BIL logos) -Reichart
• A brand identity created pro bono by a pro or pro firm who supports BIL, with feedback from BILders;  color scheme could focus on blue to TED's red. BIL could become an awesome brand.
• A BIL of Rights -- Our version of the TED Commandments. A "BIL of Rights" because they're your rights as a BILder -- they're not commandments from on-high. For example, one is your Right to Get Stuff Done.
• Spiffy theme music that we can play before our webcast videos (Mike Shapiro is aboard and will make a quick (10 second) music intro that says "listen up", and a shorter outtro that says "that was important".)
• We really truly need a gong! [I can get a good gong. - Paul]
• Have a better box out for donations than a scary vulnerable-looking cardboard box! (Can provide - Kaichang) (I like the cardboard box... it is just like BIL... unpretentious) (I loved the cardboard box, but can understand how this might make someone hesitant to drop in a lot of cash, so yeah we should improve for next year -Tyler)

 

Sponsorships

 

• BarCampBlock did a great job getting lots of companies to commit $100-$500; we could follow a similar model (see http://barcamp.org/BarCampBlockSponsors)

• Build database of sponsor prospects + contact person at a company + who knows that person / who can make the contact
• BarCamp sponsors are a good reference for potential BIL sponsors - http://barcamp.org/

 

Social connection – nametags, directory, etc

 

• Maybe we can get some next-generation nametags for folks who register? We ran out of name-stick tags, and lots of people didn't receive them.
• Not sure how feasible this is - but I loved TED's photo-ID passes (pictures of the attendees on the hall-pass everyone wore around their necks, with their name in bold colors. A digital camera with a fast photo printer was on site to print passes for attendees who didn't send in pictures beforehand). I think a nice conversation starter would be to have on everyone's badges "Ask me about __________" and have everyone complete that as part of their registration.
• include interests/contact information in registration to be made available to attendees online or in directory format, and/or on name tags (as above) –D
• Official afterparty rager?

 

Talk organization – timing, rooms, etc

 

• Give out good speaking blocks (i.e. more time and in bigger space) based on votes by attendees. All presentations were excellent, but some were more excellent than others. It would be great if the best got 30 mins (or more) instead of 15, and if the ones with lesser attendee interest were done in the smaller space. (++ Rick - I love this idea.  This lets the unconference keep some of the "creative chaos" that makes things so interesting, while at the same time, giving more time to presenters who really need it, and based on what attendees are most interested in hearing about and taking part in.  Best of both worlds, IMO.  Also lessens the need for the gong someone suggested.)[seconded! -D]
• Continuing on the theme above - have speakers -*apply* for prime speaking spots beforehand; ask aspiring speakers upload a 1-minute preview on to YouTube or something similar as a 'movie trailer' to their talk, and allow registered guests to vote on what they'd like to see. [seconded! in addition to pre-org'd speaking blocks, there could be an hour or two block during the day of impromptu or side sessions. prime sessions could have a 'submit outline or summary by' deadline in advance. -D]
• Doing the above would also help to avoid cross-programming, because if the big room is (usually) planned for the presentations that attendees have showed the most interest in (pre-event), there's less likelihood of needing to clone yourself to be in two places at once.
• We need at least a 5 minute buffer between presentations - preferable to "hard" starts and inevitable overtimes. - OR we need to do what was the plan this year but fell through which is have the next speaker use a DIFFERENT projector and get ready while the first speaker is talking - along with someone on stage each hour introducing speakers and sessions. (++ Rick)
• More breakout rooms to enable more parallel sessions (-Chris Peterson's good suggestion) 
• 4-6 smaller rooms for the speakers to continue their conversations and answer questions.
• Clock in back of hall visible to speakers that counts down that says "Please wrap up" when it hits 00:00

 

Tech/media support & communication

 

• Would be great to have a live video feed out of BIL, and possibly communications inbound as well (say text questions for speakers). The effective audience could be dramatically increased and that can further BIL's stability as an ongoing presence.
• Give the speakers better microphones that they don't have to hold! Encourage them to really "explore the studio space".
• Have a video feed so people can watch outside.
• Have central computer to update scheduled speakers/leave notes for other attendees (a la Playa Info)
• Maybe encourage no cellphones / no checking email in main hall during presentations since it can be distracting to presenters and other attendees. [Talking is distracting; checking email isn't -Paul]
• Better lighting (good venue will get us this -Tyler)
• Brighter projection (that was a powerful projector, the next level is $5K+, we need to find somoene with one) [I'll talk w/ friend at Reactrix, but definitely if anyone else can help here, much appreciated; -Tyler]
• BIL Board - a page on the Wiki to allow all to "report the news" as it happens at BIL. - Reichart
• Printer/Copier on site will be handy.
• Robust, Stable Internet/WiFi.
• Mute the doors so they don't slam.
• White boards on the doors - label each room with the current and upcoming speakers.  (++ Rick)
• Photobooth and/or video confessional for reactions. Great B roll for after conference videos.

 

Talk content

 

• language from BIL at the G-to-PG-rated level to make it accessible to everyone - kaichang) [Disagree, how cool to have Regina Lynn talk on sex-tech? Just ask presenters to warn of adult content. Mark on schedule as such. - Ian] [Strongly Disagree, The MPAA rating system is an out-of-date out-of-touch culturally backwards tool of thought police.  It endorses the status quo.  If you're not prepared to expose your children to radical ideas, don't bring them to BIL. -- Stephen]
• Presentation resources for speakers, made readily available on website
• Build understanding among BILders of how to create and give excellent presentations (Meng has blogged Five Talks to Give At BIL (and Three To Avoid) [GREAT ADVICE! -D]
• BILy the KID - A track just for kids.  What should this track be?  Let's ask the kids...  (BILding Minds?)  - Reichart
• puzzles/games/brain-teasers etc side section for kids and adults? -D
• 1 hour of Lighting Talks - Meng volunteers to organize.  Will need Gong.

 

Blog Posts w/ Ideas, Feedback, etc.

 

• Here's someone with their opinions on the good of BIL, the bad of BIL, and future recommendations for BIL
• Some of us don't want to wait a year to gather again. We might like a sort of mini-BIL perhaps in August, just to keep the momentum.

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