Dive into an insightful 1-hour 41-minute conference talk by Clark Sell, Founder of THAT Conference, as he shares his experience organizing a large multidisciplinary tech conference. Explore the origins, purpose, and challenges of creating a multi-day event for software engineers and their families. Learn about the importance of human connection, balancing technical and soft skills in programming, and the value of conferences for personal and professional development. Discover the complexities of venue booking, financial commitments, and sponsorship relationships. Gain valuable insights on building a custom conference platform, exploring innovative formats, and the significance of open spaces. Understand the financial challenges, the role of sponsors, and strategies for sustainability. Whether you're an aspiring conference organizer or a tech professional interested in the behind-the-scenes of large events, this talk offers practical advice on finding your purpose, building a supportive community, and creating impactful experiences in the tech industry.
Overview
Syllabus
Starting That Conference
The Purpose of That Conference
The Importance of Human Connection
The Value of Attending Conferences
Agent Conf and the Importance of Tech
Organic Panel Discussion and Open Spaces
Exploring New Conference Formats
The Importance of Open Spaces
Blowing Up the Conference Format
The Challenge of Selling White Spaces
The Role of Hackathons
Building a Custom Conference Platform
Motivation Behind Building a Custom Platform
Using Google Sheets as the Front End
The Stack and Open Source Nature of the Platform
Refactoring and Rebuilding the Platform
The Challenges of Organizing a Conference
Encouraging Speakers to Put Effort into Submissions
The Financial Challenges of Organizing a Conference
Considering Dropping Food from the Conference
Exploring a Kickstarter-like Model for Ticket Sales
Challenges of Booking Venues
Long-Term Contracts and Financial Commitments
The Ugly Side of Contracts
The Entrapment of Venue Commitments
Financial Struggles and Commitments
The Role of Sponsors
Sales and Sponsorship Relationships
Starting a Conference: Find Your Why
Building a Tribe of Organizers
Engaging with Other Organizers
The Importance of Balance and Sustainability
Contributing and Getting Involved with the Conference
Taught by
Tejas Kumar
