Should you RSVP for events?
We have received several questions about whether or not attendees should RSVP for the events they are planning to attend. In short, yes.
RSVPing for events is helpful to the organizers so they can work out logistical issues, like how many chairs to rent. Some venues have limited space and if the attendee list nears the limit and the organizer is required to check names at the door, then those who RSVP’d get first seating. Seems fair, right? Sure it does. And what’s a couple button clicks in the grand scheme of things? So, go on and RSVP by clicking on the link on each event page.
Ultimately, it’s up to the event organizer whether or not they want to check names at the door. So like my grandmother used to say, better to be safe than sorry.
See you all in a few weeks!
- Erin
New Communicators Night at NemoHQ
The generous and brave folks at Nemo have put together a great night of presentations during The New Communicators Series of Events on Wednesday, September 15 2010. Among these, we are proud to say, is The New Communicators 2010 Keynote by Tim DuRoche Director of Programs for The World Affairs Council of Oregon.
Events at Nemo on Wednesday, September 15 2010:
5:00 to 5:45pm
Narrative Storytelling in a Social Media World
Presented by film/video director Jacob Hinmon, of Four + One Productions
5:45 to 6:30pm
My Month as a Russian Facebook Spy
Presented by Anna Chapman of Winborn & Company
7:00 to 7:30pm
2010 New Communicators Keynote
Presented by Tim DuRoche, Director of Programs for The World Affairs Council of Oregon
8:00 to 8:45pm
Old Spice and Exotic Social Media Animals
Presented by Dean McBeth, Sr. Strategist P&G Brands at Wieden + Kennedy and Community Manager, Old Spice
NemoHQ is located on 1875 Southeast Belmont Street, Portland, OR 97214
Special thanks to Denny Mcentire of Nemo for putting this together.
Also happening on Wednesday, September 15 during the New Communicators
4:00 to 6:00pm
Following-up in the Age of Social Media
A discussion held at the Green Dragon by Taylor Ellwood.
5:00 to 6:00pm
In the Trenches: Stories from Two Evolving Agencies
A panel held at Substance by, yours truly, Erin Kurtz.
Event Submission is Open
Event submission opened on Monday. Here are a few things to think about.
1) RSVP
Once you post your event, we will create an event on Upcoming and insert a link to it on your event page here on The New Communicators site. That way you can keep an eye how many people are thinking about coming to your event. If need to keep a limit on the amount of attendees, be sure to note that in your event description.
2) Who Approved This?
There is no formal submission process, no committee to approve your event. Once you post it on the event schedule, it is out there for all to see. The responsibility is on you to follow through with the event.
3) Location is everything
It is very important that you secure your venue and communicate directly with the managers of that location. If the venue is small, you may want to put a cap on the RSVP list.
4) Tell your friends to tell their friends
Get your event in as early as possible so there is time to promote it. Widening the reach and awareness of your event will lead to a more rich and diverse discussion with new and interesting people. You want that, don’t you?
5) Stuff Happens
If you run into a challenge with your event and need some advice or if you need to cancel or edit your event posting, let us know. We are happy to help out anyway we can.
Above all, have fun and enjoy the experience. I know organizing things and speaking in front of people can be scary sometimes. On a personal level, The New Communicators is a way for me to confront those fears in my own life. Believe me, if you care about something it’s worth the effort.
~ Erin
Q&A Meetup #2
Are you curious about The New Communicators series of events? Want to talk about an event idea? Looking for clarification on this year’s theme, reciprocity? Join us for a conversation about your questions and ideas!
We’ll be at Someday Lounge on Tuesday, August 10 from 5:30pm – 7pm to field all your questions and concerns. We hope to see you there.
If you can’t make it, don’t worry. We’ll have a couple more Q&A sessions before event submission closes on August 27.
Choosing an event venue
So you’ve done a little thinking about an event you’d like to put on, you love the idea of reciprocity, but you don’t know where to have people meet. Last year, we had some event space offered to us for free, and we anticipate that happening again this year. Until we have those spaces lined up, here are some ideas about selecting a location, and a few good places we think you should consider. Have a space to share? Offer up your venue!
A few things to consider in choosing a location:
- How many people do you want to have? A large audience or an intimate conversation, or somewhere in between?
- Do you want your event to be free, or would you charge a fee to cover the cost of renting a cool space? While we love free events, there’s no rule that says you can’t charge money. Remember, it’s your event.
- Are food and drink important to the event?
- Do you plan to be indoors, or would an outdoor space work?
- Keep it central and bike/bus/walking friendly. Close-in SE and SW/NW are your best bets.
- Do you need to call your location ahead of time to ensure they have space for you?
- Do you need a quiet space, or is something louder appropriate?
Larger spaces, may cost money:
- Norse Hall – For large crowds that need seats, performances that need a stage, or just a big ol’ dance hall. Plus they have a bar on site.
- EcoTrust – Several spaces for larger crowds with seats and A/V equipment available.
- Lucky Lab Brew Pub, NW or SE – Noisy, but large enough for a variety of event types. You can rent separate space.
- Portland Parks – We have a ton of fantastic parks in this town, so why not have your event in one of them? Tanner Springs or Lovejoy Park in the Pearl, Colonel Summers on SE Belmont, or even Waterfront Park could be good locations. Have a picnic conversation!
Bars & Cafes:
- Apex – Tons of outdoor seating, bike & bus-friendly, cash only.
- Green Dragon – A Portland favorite for small group events. Its popularity may make it hard to find space, so plan ahead.
- Produce Row – The newly remodeled patio and indoor space might be perfect for your event.
- Migration Brewing – Intimate indoor/outdoor space.
- The Rocking Frog Cafe – Large back patio and great coffee.
- Bagdad Back Stage Bar – Several rooms, pool tables, and lots of options for a variety of events.
Q&A Meet-Up #1
Curious about The New Communicators series of events? Want to kick around an event idea? Looking for clarification on this year’s theme, reciprocity? Well, let’s talk people!
We’ll set up camp at Produce Row Cafe on Tuesday, July 27 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm to field all your questions and concerns. We hope to see you there.
If you can’t make it, don’t worry. We’ll do a few more of these.
It’s happening again
The New Communicators is back in 2010 with another 3 days of community organized, open discussion around how people are using online and offline tools to get their messages out to the world. So, here are some quick details to get things started:
Mark your calendars, The New Communicators is happening in September this year:
- Wednesday, September 15 2010
- Thursday, September 16 2010
- Friday, September 17 2010
Something new, we are focusing on a theme this year: Reciprocity.
With so many ways to connect to each other, where do societal norms of reciprocity fit in? Does authenticity exist as we jump between our online profiles and our face-to-face personae? How can we maintain healthy relationships while being asked to “follow, friend and like” each other? We can expose ourselves to anonymous scrutiny so quickly and easily, how do we deal with the repercussions of both positive and negative feedback? What are the ways small businesses can forge real relationships with their audiences and actually allow them to influence the business? Is it appropriate to encounter and engage business in our social environments? How can artists and creators involve their audience and allow them to contribute? Continue.
Want to organize an event?
- Read through the How To Participate page
- Event submission opens Monday, August 2 2010.
People put together terrific events last year and we are so appreciative of everyone’s participation. If you attended or organized an event last year, we hope you will contribute to this year by spreading the word and participating this year as well.
More soon, friends!