A quick Northern Voice 2011 recap

I’m really exhausted. It’s been a really busy few months, and with Derek’s memorial happening on Sunday, I basically had no brain for anything that was remotely tied to blogging. I had already made a point of making sure that I attended Northern Voice 2011 (all of it, not only the day when I spoke alongside Arieanna). I really enjoyed having the chance to give a talk with Arieanna and the feedback we received was extremely positive.

There are a few pointers and suggestions that I would like to give to future panel organizers and people who want to pitch and speak:

1. If you are a moderator, please don’t give a long introduction. You are there to moderate, and your stars are your speakers. Don’t take away time from them.

2. If you are a speaker, make sure you don’t run overtime. Other folks’ talks often have to be moved around because someone else ran overtime.

3. If you are an attendee, make sure to thank everyone, from organizers to volunteers. Organizing a conference is a rather ingrate duty. I have organized a few, and trust me: it’s exhausting, it’s hard work and it’s really not that much fun. The exhilarating part comes from people enjoying it.

4. If you are an attendee at a conference, make sure you don’t litter. I had to clean up rooms after people had left. Pick up after yourself. You’re old enough, and I would hope your Mother taught you well.

5. Turn your cell phone on to vibrate, silent or off.

6. Increase the number of “please” and “thank you” that you use when asking people for things. Particularly because self-entitlement is not good.

7. If you are a conference organizer, please make sure that the tech works properly and that there’s someone to assist speakers. We had a couple of minor mishaps (and one of them was at MY own panel!). Thankfully, overcome (and thanks for that).

Thanks to everyone who organized, attended and volunteered. I really had a fantastic time. Photos of some of the talks I attended are below (sorry for the poor quality, I seem to have lost my touch with this new camera).

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