a possible date for your diary

The TED conference has just finished in Monterery. Sounds like a fantastic lot of speakers. I was lucky enough to go last year and I'd put aside the money to go again this year. But, a while ago, it occurred to me that I could take that money and we could maybe organise a conference of our own here in the UK, which might be even more interesting. Or at least easier to get to.

So this is the plan:

We've booked the Conway Hall for the 16th of June. Which is a Saturday. It'll be about £20 to get in. I want to make it something almost anyone can afford.

The plan is to have all sorts of speakers speak about all sorts of stuff. Not brands, advertising, blogging and twitter but interesting, unexpected, original things. I'm hoping to find fascinating people and to just ask them to speak about something they care about. I want to replicate the experience of clicking from one really good blog to another, ranging across sciences, arts, musics, jokes and whatever. There will be 20 minute slots and 3 minute slots. Some people will play music or sing. And some people who can't be there will be asked to send three minute videos. Perhaps. I reckon we can squeeze a lot of interestingness into a day. And then have a party afterwards.

But it'll all be down to the goodwill and enthusiasm of the speakers anyway, because I won't be able to pay any of them.

The hall is paid for, seats and presentation stuff will be paid for. But that's the 'TED money' soaked up.  After that I'm hoping to find sponsors to chip in, not to pay money and put up a logo but to provide things like wifi, smoothies, or cakes. And it'd be great if someone would like to film it properly, or podcast it, or do nice drawings. I don't think we'll be having name badges, branded pens or lime cordial so we won't worry about them.

I think that's about it for now. It's June the 16th. If you think you might come it'd be nice if you'd comment below, just so we can start to get a sense of numbers. And I'll soon get round to setting up paypal for tickets and upcoming and all that sort of thing. If you can think of someone we should ask to speak, that'd be great too. Or maybe you want to speak? I've already asked some people but I think they all thought I was joking so I'm going to ask again now I've written this.

And we need a name for it. I'm not sure The Conference Of Interestingness is good enough. Any suggestions?

Comments

[Tim Keil]

This sounds great. Once and for all I got a reason to leave London´s airport and come to the city. No actually I always wanted to and never really got the opportunity. But this is really great. It reminds of the barcamps which keep on popping up all over Europe now too. (www.barcamp.org)
And may I kindly suggest to invite Sacrum as a speaker about Brand Warmness.

[John Dodds]

Sounds great.

Why not call it Very Interesting.

[russell]

I think 'very' might be overclaim.

[henry lambert]

sounds like a grand plan

[steve wyles]

crackin' idea russell, i'll look into the filming side of things for you.

[Julien Coulter]

Toronto has Idea City, much like TED (including the price). These events are fantastic though, as I'm sure your's will be.

For a name, how about:

Russell's Rather Interesting Conference.

or

Rather Interesting That

or just

Rather Interesting

[Ben]

About bloody time.

Absolutely brilliant idea.

I'm sure The Design Conspiracy can bake some cakes for the event. But only if we get to call ourselves a 'Platinum Media Partner'.

[doug]

awesome idea Russell. i'll be there

[David Brabbins]

Yes please!

[eva]

lovely idea. i'll be there too.

[Lloyd Davis]

yes! love it! and i would like to suggest either some open space or at any rate a level of collaborative decision making when forming the agenda. I'm happy to speak or lead a discussion on:

purposelessness;
silence; or
being too clever for your own good.

[Ciaran McCabe]

Wonderful idea.

I'll fly over.

Ciaran

[Ciaran McCabe]

How about going back to Gossage for the name:

What interests you.

[DK]

Would love to get involved - let us know if you get a wiki of some sort going so I can put my virtual hand-up on there ;-)

Peace

DK

[Iain Simpson]

Ooh this sounds just what we need! None of that stuffy expensive 2-day conference malarky with PowerPoint slides:(

Just lots of exciting cool people making other people think - its the Innocent Smoothie of conferences!

Count me in.....

[Colman]

I might come.

[mark]

Sounds like a great idea. Another way to raise money would be for you to charge a smal fee for listening in to an online audio broadcast. the way the few of us poor sods who may be to far away to come can still listen in.

[Costin]

Conference 2.0

"How interesting" sounds like a good name. But I'm not sure if it should end with a ! or with a ?
Before the event it could be "How interesting???" and after it could be "How interesting!!!"

Congrats for the idea!

[Rowan Manahan]

Russell

Superb idea. Seeing as most of the speakers will be ranting on, with great passion, about their particular hobby horse, maybe you could call it:

RANTHOLOGY

[George Parker]

Russell...
I'm surprised some wanker (who shall be nameless!) hasn't suggested you do the whole thing on "Second Life" then we can all pretend to be 18 year old bimbos with big knockers. Oh, and you pay for everything with "Linden Dollars."
Anyway, you must have Mrs Belmot do the keynote. Shit, I'd fly over for that.
And what's this with cakes... What happened to EBC&B?
Cheers/George

[tom martin]

A wonderful idea. Please do post after the show.. and share ideas on what worked, didn't work. Then the rest of us who would like to do something liek this in our hometowns have a guidebook. We promise to share back after our event.

[Surinder]

I'd love to cover from a podcast perspective.

How about 'ABI' as the name, standing for the previously mentioned 'Absolute Brilliant Ideas' or 'Absolute Brilliant Inspiration'.

[Dino]

Is the hall big enough?

I'm there, especially for the after-party.

[Mark McGuinness]

Great! In the diary. As 'interesting conference'.

[Lebowski]

aye