John Smith

Someone pointed out that there was not enought capacity in wifi system: whenever a coffee break started, the system would crash or response time would get really bad.

I was hoping that people in the "community" sector would stay in touch during the conference using the IRC channel that I'd announced. I think I didn't publicize and promote the idea enough, or verify that people knew what I was talking about and had a client (e.g., Firefox Chatzilla) that would let them participate. I think a conference could announce several specific themes, and they might even be supported (or moderated and even captured) by someone who's part of the community but isn't able to come to the conference.

Syhlvia pestered the conference organizers for a room where we could hold the Rendezvous unsuccessfully. It seemed like the best option was the bar (before it opened). But the accoustics were so bad that John Nesbit got frustrated and somehow made an arrangement to use a room (perhaps where the speaker had cancelled?) after a given time in the afternoon. Although that room location wasn't as visible to passers-by (a lable on the door would have been more inviting) it was much easier to hear each other once we moved there.

It was someimes hard to find a decent place to sit to check-email or chat. I took a photo of one woman sitting uncomfortably on the floor and I'll attach it when I get a chance. With a little fore-thought, clusters of seats could become a social setting for conference delegates.

What would make a big conference like the AACE E-Learn conference more friendly, fund, productive for community-oriented people like us? Are there ways that a conference like that could model what we think is good practice for communities of pracatice?

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We intended to brainstorm ideas during the Rendezvous, but got too involved in discussing the cases that were presented, so we deferred it to here. Please post one idea per post, so others can reply and expand upon what you suggest.