At The Whiteboard Sessions this week, there's a new feature to provide the content live as it happens even for those who can't be there in person. ConferenceChannel.org is launching its pilot run this Thursday May 22nd. During that one-day conference, they'll give 8 influential leaders just 30 minutes to speak to their big idea, probably with a ticking countdown clock.
By the way, if you're within driving distance of metro Washington DC, $199 online registration is open right up to May 21st. Nothing like being there in person, yet ConferenceChannel brings you the next best thing -- live online. Here's an excerpt from the about page describing the ConferenceChannel vision:
Imagine an Internet “channel” that allows people to experience conferences (and other gatherings) without actually attending. In addition to the notes, blog posts and MP3 audio recordings available after many conferences, visitors to ConferenceChannel will get live streaming video of everything from the crowded halls, to the band, to candid interviews with the speakers. Technology such as live video (ustream.tv), archived video (youtube.com), twitter (twitter.com), photo albums (Picasa and Flickr) and aggregated blogs will be used to help people experience the conference in a more personal way from a distance.
... Our goal is to see the conference impact expand far beyond those attending while at the same time helping foster increased attendance at the conference in future years.
... We are doing a more extensive pilot at the 2008 WhiteBoard Sessions (www.thewhiteboardsessions.com). We will continue throughout 2008 to experiment and learn.
... Our vision is to create and leverage the benefits of a national platform from which a wide range of national conferences can benefit. It is our intent to facilitate the creation of conference specific "channels" that benefit the individual participating conferences. ConferenceChannel will serve as the internet station through which the conference specific channels gain increased visibility, marketing and promotional value. Our dream is to see all the leading national conferences featured via ConferenceChannel.
Read the full story about what ConferenceChannel is envisioning for online broadcast of Christian leadership conferences. Alternatively, watch the video overview.
Wow! This is another great example of how web technologies can be used to multiply ministry impact! Do you think an undesired consequence is a decrease in conference attendance? Or, will a surprise benefit be increased attendance?
-- DJ Chuang, a Director virtually along side of Todd Rhoades @ Leadership Network
DJ, as I read their website, it isn't the actual presentations, but interviews and supplemental pieces outside of the actual presentation. If that is the case, it is almost like onsite uber-blogging. Did I read it correctly, or did I miss something?
Either way, it may add some value.
Posted by: Jacob Vanhorn | May 19, 2008 at 03:11 PM