“Philip, next year make the mountain sign this tall.” – Ryan Guina
I’ve poured over the comments and have listed the major suggestions below.
There were several other unique suggestions that we’ll be implementing, but this is the stuff that bubbled up to the top.
On Connecting
Networking – Make available additional meeting rooms in the hotel for meetups, conversations, business, etc.; Create niche networking breakouts; Allow for more time between sessions; Incentivize meeting new people; Provide unscheduled time to socialize; Start at 9am; More coffee
After Hours – Alternative (competing) events at night (i.e. coffee shop meetups, night tours, dinners, etc.), bring back speed networking.
Data – Provide a more detailed pre-conference list of people which includes their categories/type designators, and also their goals for attending.
Badges – Increase the size of blog name on badges, add twitter handles, bring back the paper schedule insert, and color code (i.e. blogger, speaker, exhibitor, industry) the badge.
On Learning
Sessions – Separate tracks by level (i.e. advanced), make slides available beforehand, and provide more advanced and financial topic coverage in general.
Speakers – Time for more new, outside, experienced voices.
I love these suggestions and we’ll begin working to implement them asap. Thanks, again!
Got other suggestions? List them in the comments below…
Image by marubozo
I’ll 2nd the “more coffee” comment. After some of those brutal late nights, I could have used another cup or three.
I wasn’t there but the date was the reason I couldn’t make it. Scheduling fincon during the first 5 to 6 business days of the month means many accounting professionals wont be able to attend. Here is for hoping for a mid to late month fincon13!
@Money Life and More If there is one thing I know, from every comment you’ve made on any FinCon related post across the sphere, is that you are tied to the dreaded monthly close. I’ve heard you loud and clear and will make sure to change that for #FinCon13. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you can stop making that point now.
Seriously, I’m glad you’re fired up for financial blogging and FinCon. I’m looking forward to shaking your hand next year and getting to know you face to face.
@Philip Taylor sorry bout that… I guess I am really excited about going and meeting everyone. I guess I was trying to gauge if anyone else had the same issue. If I am the only one there is no sense in changing something for just one person but thanks for the acknowledgement! Sorry if it was a bit much. I guess I don’t realize how much I comment!
@Money Life and More @Philip Ha. No, nothing to be sorry about. I love it, and I wish you could have made it out this time. You are certainly not the only one. We have lots in corporate finance. I used to be. Plus, many people didn’t like that it was so close to the start of school. Do you live close to a meetup group where you could start connecting beforehand?
@Philip Taylor @Philip Closest one is Atlanta which is 6ish hours away. I don’t think there are any other bloggers in Panama City Beach! They probably have some decent conference rates in the beach shoulder seasons but it isn’t really a big city. We do have an airport but you pretty much have to connect through Houston or Atlanta.
@Money Life and More @Philip Dr. Dean lives close by…I think just over in GA. And BripBlap lives in Jacksonville.
@Philip Taylor @Money Life and More @Philip
@Money Life and More @Philip Taylor @Philip Eric at dollarversity is in Ft Lauderdale. Also, end of the month and quarter is better for me as well. I’m tied to the quarterly reporting schedule, that’s why I missed FinCon11.
@Philip Taylor @Money Life and More Hooray! I had a similar issue– I had to attend the Casey Conference (they’re my business partners) but it was at the exact same time…no overlap whatsoever! But I *really* want to come to FinCon so hopefully next year will work out! Thanks for listening to all of our suggestions!
Being someone that stays up all night and wakes up early, more coffee would be perfect lol!
I would add a fitness component too. Aside from the community event, we could do a challenge. I know that this year I was involved in a pull up challenge, but I was thinking some sort of a sporting event.
Maybe a huge basketball game? Soccer match? Fight night (maybe not that)?
We’re a fun bunch and a little friendly competition would also be an amazing opportunity to meet each other.
I’ll jump on the more coffee bandwagon. It was a bit disappointing that the coffee usually ran out by the time the first speaker started. I like to drink coffee all day, so having it available at least up until lunch would be nice.
@Philip Taylor
Any idea on the location for FINCON13 yet?
Great suggestions! Silently snickering at the coffee comments because y’all are addicted! LOL I can’t believe that bubbled up to the top hehe
I was fine with the conference overall – as I said to Phillip, this is one of the best conferences I’ve attended. I would like to have more time to network with those in my niche so that’s a change I see up there. Otherwise, Im good!
@Ginger San Diego in August, Minneapolis in Sept, St. Louis in Oct, and Dallas in Nov. Those are my front runners.
@Philip Taylor @Ginger Woohoo!! Go Minneapolis! I can be on the host committee!
I give another vote to the more coffee parade. And I like the idea of doing something physical together too. Dare I suggest a FINCON13 FLASHMOB??????
PT,
Larger blog names is the only thing I can remember, and that’s easy to do. Perhaps invite a completely different genre of bloggers to the conference as well e.g. Travel Bloggers?
Do you mind including Honolulu, Hawaii in the survey for FinCon 12? I know it’s far away for everybody, even those of us who live on the West Coast, but I’d be curious to know whether enough folks would be down to have a conference in paradise!
Best, Sam
@Yakezie
Hawaii would be awesome for me, lol! Way less of a trip, so I’d be down for it.
@Kylie Ofiu @Yakezie I’d vote for Hawaii too.
I vote more for name tags than badges. A few of us felt awkward looking down in belly/crotch regions to confirm names/blogs haha.
I know this sounds a little crazy but what about a cash bar starting at like 1pm in the lobby/central area.
As for slightly less crazy, one fun networking thing to do would be a game that spans the entire weekend. Like a silly scavenger hunt that makes you find out things about people. The bar would facilitate this.
I LOVE the suggestion for alternative (competing) events at night. I liked the speed networking too. Niche networking makes sense. And I very much would like to see incentives for meeting new people. Lots of good ideas here!
Rob
I forgot about speed networking at #fincon11 but that was a lot of fun and a great way to kick of the conference & quickly meet people. Love all the ideas, can’t wait until next year
Didn’t make it to FinCon12 but sounds like I’d be on the coffee bandwagon, too! ;) Can I toss Atlanta into the ring? Way way more convenient for me! Since you are planning the conference around me and all….LOL
Love the idea of niche networking breakouts. But how will I decide between mom blogs and taxes?!