PodCamp. WordCamp. BarCamp. LifeCamp. SocialMediaCamp.
More and more, our major urban centers are being infiltrated by campers! No, this is not a radical fringe intent on taking the world over one fluffy sleeping bag at a time. These campers don’t burn logs, they log on!
The ‘Camp term applies to any number of online retreat days that usually take place informally in a central location. Attendees bring their laptops to a location – like a meeting room, lecture hall or even a hotel – log on to a network and share in an online “Camp”, all the while chatting, commenting and following along with the main demonstration.
Originally organized to allow programmers and developers to brainstorm and share their progress with early web apps and open source developments, you can now find ‘Camps organized for nearly every interest from Podcasting to blogging to social networking, and Wikipedia.
One of the newest developments in the ‘Camp phenomenon has been the rise of the PresentationCamp. As one might suspect, P’Camp is usually organized by and for folks in the know – and those who wanna be – about PowerPoint presentations and public speaking.
Who cares?
Well, if you want to become an on-stage superstar, meet some great new folks, and spend a fun day out of the office, you should!
Here are 10 reasons you should attend the PresentationCamp near you!
1. Learn Something
More than taking a class or simply seeking out instructions online or at a bookstore, PresentationCamp can allow you to interact with experts, specialists, innovators and renegades simultaneously, giving you the chance to seek out detailed solutions to specific issues. This is not a monologue in a lecture hall. This is a multi-layered, simultaneous, real-time, interactive dialog with a bunch of folks who know a lot about what you are trying to learn.
2. Mad Skills
PresentationCamp will help you to bring your A Game to your next PowerPoint. It is likely that you’ll come out of your first ‘Camp to find your design and delivery skill-set to be sharper than ever.
3. Meet and Greet
‘Camp is a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends with folks you probably have a lot in common with. This is one of the reasons that ‘Camps don’t just take place in the virtual world. It seems strange to us plugged-in types, but it really is fun to actually get out and meet people every now and then. Try it! You’ll like it!
4. Growth is Good
When you spend time with people who know more than you do they challenge your assumptions, question your methods and ultimately nudge you in the direction of being a more well-rounded pro in your own right. This kind of willingness to grow is really the secret to success no matter what you are trying to accomplish.
5. Chill Out
A ‘Camp is ultimately a lot of fun, in an informal setting with a cool group of folks you share a variety of interests with. Trust us, it’s a great way to get a break from just-another-day-at-the-office.
6. Face Time
Although we all do a lot of networking online everyday, the opportunity to meet other peers face to face can sometimes be just the ticket for building lasting relationships that will profit you both!
7. Get Tricky
When it comes to PowerPoint, slides and online networking, every challenge you face can usually be solved by a simple, corner-cutting trick. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Go to ‘Camp and learn the cheat codes!
8. Trend Report
Every industry runs on trends and presentation trends are no different. Learn what’s all the rage at ‘Camp.
9. Expose Yourself
It’s likely that ‘Camp will turn you on to apps, and techniques you’ve never even heard of!
10. Cool Points
When you tell your peers you spent the day at ‘Camp you’ll be adding digits to your street-cred column!
