Comments on: Three Things Christian Tech and Creative Conferences Can Learn From SXSWi

By: Vince Marotte

Vince Marotte — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:39:07 +0000

right. What’s up with Christian conferences having keynote sessions at 7PM? that’s when we should all be heading out for parties and tweetups.

By: Conference Considerations « Tools For Campus

Conference Considerations « Tools For Campus — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:31:25 +0000

[...] am Thoughts influenced by the recent South by South West Interactive Conferences on how to run a Christian conference. Leave a [...]

By: John Saddington

John Saddington — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:21:42 +0000

word!

By: Antwon Davis

Antwon Davis — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:52:32 +0000

I wanted so badly to go to SXSW this year. I watched Gary Vaynerchuk’s entire keynote on Youtube. I agree with all of your observations. I too have attended quite a few Christian Conferences (ie. Catalyst Conference, Orange Conference, Unleash Conference to name a few), and there has been this continuous abrupt conclusion to the experience once the conference ends. Plus I rarely have quality time to network and connect. Most of the time is spent going to and from the restroom, viewing booths, and rushing back to claim your seat before the next session starts. It feels like a typical Sunday at a mega church (lol).

Don’t get me wrong, I love the lights, the camera, and the action, but most Christian Conferences lack the authentic community and tribal feel that I think SXSW has. That feeling that you are a part of something that is ongoing.

Even Hugh MacLeod said that this was his #1 anticipated event of the year. Gary Vaynerchuk blasted tweets about it weeks in advance.

I long for the day that our Christian Conferences become more than just hip, cool events. I would love to attend parties, meetups, and more. And I would really love to leave with lifelong memories and newly-formed relatioships, not just a bag of promotional materials and a butt-load of sessions.

Oh yeah, great post! lol.

By: John Saddington

John Saddington — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:08:47 +0000

DOH!

By: Kyle Chowning

Kyle Chowning — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 02:55:05 +0000

John! We should have connected. I was there from Fri-Mon. Next time…

By: John Saddington

John Saddington — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:01:34 +0000

definitely!

By: Charles Lee

Charles Lee — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:00:55 +0000

Love the post. I love the communal feel of SXSW (and this is something I sensed without even being there). Definitely need to get there sometime.

In organizing both Idea Camp and !deation, we’ve continue to design it to facilitate mutual learning and creative opportunities for collaboration.

By: Vince Marotte

Vince Marotte — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:23:03 +0000

Great meeting you Andre…my guess is we’ll connect again sometime…maybe even at a Churchie conference of some kind

By: Andre Barnes

Andre Barnes — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:30:43 +0000

Hey Vince:

Great blog post! I totally agree with you! It was awesome meeting you and other fellow Christians in Technology. Keep the relevant stuff coming!