Episode 147

While at NDC 2012 in Oslo, Jon and K. Scott talked to Jakob Bradford about how the event was organized.

Download / Listen:

Herding Code 147 - Jakob Bradford on Organizing NDC Oslo

Show Notes:

• Jon asks how NDC got started and how it's grown.
• K. Scott says that other conferences feel like they're organized to solve organizers' problems, while NDC is organized around the attendee experience. Jakob says that's very intentional.
• Jon asks how they balance a big conference feel (as NDC continues to grow) while maintaining a personal feel.
• K. Scott asks for an inside scoop - what were the biggest disasters, or almost disasters? Answer: volcanoes!
• Jon talks about how much he likes the Overflow (a.k.a. ADD room) and asks how that got started. Jakob said that's how conferences are done in Norway.
• K. Scott asks about Aral's keynote, which began with a musical number.
• Jon asks about how they select speakers and content.
• Jon asks about the pre-conference workshops (in the tallest building in Norway!)
• The entire conference is recorded, available on Vimeo. Jakob says that's how they get most of their attendees - "Watch the videos a couple years... you will come!"

Show Links:

• Jakob Bradford @jakbradf
• NDC Oslo
• ProgramUtvikling
• NDC Oslo sessions on Vimeo
• Photosynth showing the NDC Overflow Room
• K. Scott Allen's NDC sessions
• Jon Galloway's NDC sessions

The NDC Overflow room: