I don't think the number of submissions is related to the type and quality
of conversations that would at the conference. I'd prefer a conference the
same two days, but with more of a focus on initiating and facilitating
conversation within each session, creating an opportunity for attendees to
meet new people between sessions that's less intimidating than a crowded
space, and perhaps a more global arc covering the entirety of the conference
that would foster a larger conversation framed within it (dare I say it: a
sort of a theme to tie all aspects of the conference together, with the
theme changing each year, like [ugh] green, or less is more, etc., but more
clever).

CBC Radio 3 will definitely get some attention from me when I'm back from West. I agree that I don't think “text” will die, but the manner in which it is delivered – well – it won't be the same or at a minimum won't be print alone. I had a magazine send me a survey this week and ask what it would take for me to advertise with them – what are my criteria. As clearly as I could possibly make it within the boundaries of the survey my message was – what support is there beyond print? What can you give me that is measurable, interactive, what will build my community – not just push my stuff.

Okay – deep breath. Thanks for always being a step ahead.

CBC Radio 3 – call Kim, seriously.

Not sure if you attended the Coping Digitally panel, but that one was one that I think was very much mind-blowing (again, that's just my opinion). You can read some of my liveblogs and maybe some of the content you weren't able to check in other rooms might be useful to you.

http://hummingbird604.com/tag/northernvoice09

I'm in no way defending (or speaking for) Northern Voice 2009. I was very willing not to show up, but I think that in the end, I gained more by actually attending. A lot of the points you make are points I will make sure to raise to the committee next year (regardless of whether they invite me to sit on the committee or not).

Conversations were extremely limited but the truth is, I am guessing this was because they had over 200 submissions for a very small number of panels. Maybe we needed a four day conference? As someone who regularly organizes academic conferences (and give papers at those), I found this one particularly refreshing.

I don't think the number of submissions is related to the type and quality
of conversations that would at the conference. I'd prefer a conference the
same two days, but with more of a focus on initiating and facilitating
conversation within each session, creating an opportunity for attendees to
meet new people between sessions that's less intimidating than a crowded
space, and perhaps a more global arc covering the entirety of the conference
that would foster a larger conversation framed within it (dare I say it: a
sort of a theme to tie all aspects of the conference together, with the
theme changing each year, like [ugh] green, or less is more, etc., but more
clever).

I don't think the number of submissions is related to the type and quality
of conversations that would at the conference. I'd prefer a conference the
same two days, but with more of a focus on initiating and facilitating
conversation within each session, creating an opportunity for attendees to
meet new people between sessions that's less intimidating than a crowded
space, and perhaps a more global arc covering the entirety of the conference
that would foster a larger conversation framed within it (dare I say it: a
sort of a theme to tie all aspects of the conference together, with the
theme changing each year, like [ugh] green, or less is more, etc., but more
clever).

CBC Radio 3 will definitely get some attention from me when I'm back from West. I agree that I don't think “text” will die, but the manner in which it is delivered – well – it won't be the same or at a minimum won't be print alone. I had a magazine send me a survey this week and ask what it would take for me to advertise with them – what are my criteria. As clearly as I could possibly make it within the boundaries of the survey my message was – what support is there beyond print? What can you give me that is measurable, interactive, what will build my community – not just push my stuff.

Okay – deep breath. Thanks for always being a step ahead.

CBC Radio 3 – call Kim, seriously.

Not sure if you attended the Coping Digitally panel, but that one was one that I think was very much mind-blowing (again, that's just my opinion). You can read some of my liveblogs and maybe some of the content you weren't able to check in other rooms might be useful to you.

http://hummingbird604.com/tag/northernvoice09

I'm in no way defending (or speaking for) Northern Voice 2009. I was very willing not to show up, but I think that in the end, I gained more by actually attending. A lot of the points you make are points I will make sure to raise to the committee next year (regardless of whether they invite me to sit on the committee or not).

Conversations were extremely limited but the truth is, I am guessing this was because they had over 200 submissions for a very small number of panels. Maybe we needed a four day conference? As someone who regularly organizes academic conferences (and give papers at those), I found this one particularly refreshing.