What makes PodCamp AZ special?

Here in Arizona, we take the concept of a podcamp and change it to meet our needs. Hey, it’s hot and we have no water. We’re supposed to bend nature to our will.

What makes ours different? Well, as you’ll note from the main page, this isn’t all about podcasting. Now we love podcasting, don’t get us wrong. But podcasting is simply a means to an end. It’s a method of distributing media files. We think the creation of those media files is more interesting. And we think what people do with those files is far more interesting than that.

We also take significant poetic license with the “unconference” idea and do a good amount of pre-planning ahead of schedule. We just think that helps people decide if the event is right for them, rather than trusting the wisdom of the group. But we respect the unconference mindset and have dedicated room for the more anarchistic members to play in the undiluted waters of a true unconference.

So yeah… different. We’re OK with that. And from what our attendees tell us, they’re pretty happy too.

History of PodCamp AZ

• PodCamp AZ – Genesis: November 3, 2007
  This one day event was planned in an 8 week period. We had about 100 people register online, but over 300 attendees, 10 sponsors, and more than a dozen presenters showed up. And it was a BLAST!
• PodCamp AZ 2.0: November 1-2, 2008
  Attendence more than doubled and we expanded PodCamp AZ to a 2-day event in order to get the highest amount of interaction between participants and help people answer the hottest new media question… “What’s your source?“
• PodCamp AZ – The Third: November 14-15, 2009
  We introduced PodCast Live, allowing podcasters and speakers to engage with online attendees. We also dedicated more space to the unconference, which was a huge hit as a number of impromptu sessions drew big crowds.
• PodCamp AZ 2010: November 20-21, 2010
  Dates locked in for November 20-21, 2010, once again at the University of Advancing Technology (UAT). We’re still asking What’s your source? In the changing new media space, as more voices join the fray and we expand our networks are impervious to geographical and ideological constraints, the question is as relevant as ever. Have you registered yet?

Do I have to be a podcaster to attend a PodCamp?

No! If you’re interested in podcasting or blogging, if you’re a podsafe musician (or want to be), or just someone curious about podcasting and new media, then please join us — and bring a friend or colleague. The more, the merrier!

PodCamp is a FREE BarCamp-style community UnConference for podcasters and listeners, bloggers and readers, and anyone interested in New Media. It was held for the first time from September 8-10 in Boston, Massachusetts and is now spreading across the world.

These 7 rules define what events can be called a PodCamp:

• All content created must be released under a Creative Commons license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

• All attendees must be treated equally. Everyone is a rockstar.
• All attendees must be allowed to participate. (subject to limitations of physical space, of course)
• All sessions and events must be free of charge to attend.
• All sessions must obey the Law of 2 Feet – if you’re not getting what you want out of the session, you can and should walk out and do something else. It’s not like you have to get your money’s worth!
• The event must be new-media focused – blogging, podcasting, video on the net.
• The financials of a PodCamp must be fully disclosed in an open ledger, except for any donor/sponsor who wishes to remain anonymous.

Got some great ideas for PodCamp AZ?
Share what you know with the attendees of PodCamp AZ! Check out our Speakers page for more information on presenting. Anyone can on any topic you wish — so jump on in!