Jerome, First, I want to say I appreciate you doing the legwork on this communication, I know it's time consuming and you've done a great job of relaying information back to the group.
That said, I have a bunch of issues with the direction this is heading. Among them, the biggest is that we've gone from talking about a collaborative, idea sharing, peer learning, and mentoring event to one that incurs large per-head costs to cover unnecessary overhead, to have people "talking at me". I've been on all sides of that coin: attendee, organizer, and speaker, and it's never of as much value as having something mentorship and discussion based. Mentoring is why this group is so strong, and that needs to be the tone of this "conference" or event if it's going to be a success, in my opinion. Rather than being able to convert the fact that we get people in our doors to bring "big name speakers", that should be able to be parlayed into our attendee base. That entire pitch feels off to me. Long story short, I see ABCN having much more to gain from being the organizers than us, the community, and that always raises a red flag for me. I DO believe that this event, whoever organizes and leads it, should have some degree of "return TO community" effort...it in some way should be able to give back to the community members who could not attend. I'm still unclear who this event is for, though: people interested in coworking, people who cowork, people who lead coworking communities, or people who own coworking facilitates. Obviously there's overlap, but defining the "why" will lead and inform the "who". The people who *really need this conference* won't be able to attend if there's big price ticket attached to it, and the people who show up are likely to gain the least because they don't need it as badly. That's a shame, but a very real challenge we need to creatively overcome. Bottom line: as Eli points out below, this needs to align with the coworking values or else it's not worth it. Accessibility is one of those things, and introducing $500 ticket prices to what could easily be facilitated for MUCH less removes that quality. To quote some new friends we made at Turnstone a few weeks back, "this shouldn't be about reducing the price, but increasing the attainability". -Alex /ah indyhall.org coworking in philadelphia On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 4:41 AM, Jerome Chang <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi. > > I spoke to the head of ABCN today and got some good feedback and > assurances, so please let me know if you're open to the following: > 1. A national coworking gathering this October (2010) in S.F. They > already have a 3-4 day conference for about 150 people for exec suites, but > would dedicate 1-2 full days toward coworking. This location seems so ideal > given that SF has the most # of coworking locations, let alone Sacramento, > and the entire West Coast cities that are just an hour or two away by plane. > 2. The ABCN team already is organizing the conference and could > accommodate us with our logistical needs (actual scope should still be > clarified). > 3. The coworking agenda would primarily set by us, not ABCN, as they > already readily recognize that their coworking knowledge is limited. > > Here are some notes from our discussion that demonstrates their experience > in planning these conferences: > A. 1 day won't be enough, if that's what some of you were thinking. > It's important to capture the attention of all attendees across a 2+ days > via social and professional activities so people feel comfortable enough to > collaborate, etc. Essentially, we want to form a retreat. > B. ABCN always strives for a high ROI for every single > activity/presentation, on the order of 10x the cost to attend. This ensures > each attendees feels the trip/attendance was worth every penny. For us > coworking people, ABCN can see a need to gauge the worthiness of a > conference by a sort of ROC, return on community. What that is is up to us > to determine now or later. > C. ABCN estimates about $300-$450/day for most professional > activities, including snacks, lunch, etc. Even though that might seem high > to us coworking people, ABCN insists they almost never break even on these > conferences, but know they should still have these conferences. Still, > their last conference in NYC was $745, which included a gala dinner/party > and open bar on some cruise. We could of course cut out the gala and/or > figure out our own conference fee. > D. ABCN believes coworking has really succeeded in getting > interesting people to join, vs. stuffy exec center. ABCN could therefore > get good speakers and sponsorships through their national contacts. > E. ABCN already has something very similar to our Coworking VISA, > with which members of one location can utilize another location, including > reservation and payment systems. Typical exec centers earn 10x their > $225/monthly dues. We could of course set out our own monthly fees, if any. > We of course would NOT have to join ABCN and form some monthly dues for > coworking facilities, but should WE WANT TO, it's there for us to utilize. > F. As much as we like to think that coworking is entirely new or > distinct, I still believe we do have enough common traits with exec centers > to LEARN from what them, sort of like learning from parents/grandparents. > In fact, the exec centers thought they themselves were all so new way back > when, and as a result, made mistakes that they could've easily avoided had > they learned from others. Ie., they were all initially collaborative between > "brands"/companies until a lot of facilities opened up next door to another > and competition set in. Had they figured out how to maintain that > collaboration/friendliness early on, they wouldn't have the cutthroat > competition they have now. > > Ok, sorry so long, but I wanted to make sure I could include all notes from > our lengthy discussion. > > > > Jerome > ______________ > BLANKSPACES > "work wide open" > > www.blankspaces.com > 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) > Los Angeles, CA 90036 > 323.330.9505 (office) > > On Feb 8, 2010, at 2:13 PM, Angel wrote: > > I agree with Alex, most of my time right now is spent explaining how >> coworking is different from exec. centers (since everyone here is >> familiar with exec centers). If we affiliate under that umbrella, >> then it just gets messy. >> >> On Feb 8, 11:00 am, Alex Hillman <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> it's not uncommon for our members to be business center refugees ("I >>> tried >>> working at Regus...that sucked"), and we actively work to create language >>> and activities to help people understand the difference between executive >>> business centers and coworking. I know we are not alone in this mission. >>> >>> I can't see us aligning with the goals or values of an executive business >>> center organization, and so, I can't see us working with one. This feels >>> like potential for serious confusion for prospective coworking >>> communities, >>> and a distraction for ones that are already in progress. >>> >>> Not to say it can't be done, but I'm cautious of how this takes place. >>> >>> -Alex >>> >>> /ah >>> indyhall.org >>> coworking in philadelphia >>> >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Feb 8, 2010 at 12:51 PM, James Hackett <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I have been collaborating with the head of ABCN already. That org is a >>>> global network of exec centers. Coworking technically falls under a >>>> niche >>>> within biz centers and I've just proposed to ABCN to create a new, >>>> separate >>>> group. We utilize their experience with alliances and therefore their >>>> infrastructure. >>>> >>> >>> Any thoughts or serious objections? >>>> >>> >>> Collaborating with a group like ABCN seems like a great natural fit for >>>> co-working locations Jerome. I'd love to hear/talk more and get >>>> involved. >>>> >>> >>> James >>>> Cruzio Internet >>>> >>> >>> On Feb 7, 2010, at 5:06 PM, Jerome Chang wrote: >>>> >>> >>> Oh. Traditional is fine. I just thought having much further discussion >>>> about a co-op would be reinventingte wheel. From what I've seen, we have >>>> two >>>> related proposals: >>>> 1. National org/network/co-op >>>> 2. National conference >>>> >>> >>> Forming #1 would assign the people/resources toward creating #1 and at >>>> the >>>> same time, create add'l discussions/collaborations/benefits throughout >>>> the >>>> year regardless of the conference. >>>> >>> >>> I have been collaborating with the head of ABCN already. That org is a >>>> global network of exec centers. Coworking technically falls under a >>>> niche >>>> within biz centers and I've just proposed to ABCN to create a new, >>>> separate >>>> group. We utilize their experience with alliances and therefore their >>>> infrastructure. >>>> >>> >>> Any thoughts or serious objections? >>>> >>> >>> Jerome >>>> >>> >>> On Feb 7, 2010, at 4:13 PM, Mike Schinkel <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>> >>> Sounds like a "traditional" alliance or org that services all coworking >>>> facilities. Members pitch in a monthly/yearly amount to an org that >>>> returns >>>> them benefits, etc. >>>> >>> >>> So, do you think "traditional" is good or bad? >>>> >>> >>> -Mike >>>> >>> >>> On Feb 7, 2010, at 4:16 PM, Jerome Chang wrote: >>>> >>> >>> Sounds like a "traditional" alliance or org that services all coworking >>>> facilities. Members pitch in a monthly/yearly amount to an org that >>>> returns >>>> them benefits, etc. >>>> >>> >>> ______________ >>>> BLANKSPACES >>>> "work wide open" >>>> >>> >>> <http://www.blankspaces.com/>www.blankspaces.com >>>> 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) >>>> Los Angeles, CA 90036 >>>> 323.330.9505 (office) >>>> >>> >>> On Feb 7, 2010, at 7:44 AM, Mike Schinkel wrote: >>>> >>> >>> Hi all, >>>> >>> >>> The first thing I thought about when I saw this topic come through was >>>> "Great, yet another expense on top of all the other expenses we have." >>>> >>> >>> As some of you know we operate Ignition Alley mostly as a service to our >>>> local startup and freelance community and much less to generate a >>>> profit. >>>> Attending a conference means probably $1000+ in travel expenses and >>>> that is >>>> not attractive. >>>> >>> >>> But then I thought "This need not be like commercial conferences, it >>>> could >>>> be in run like coworking itself as a collaborative for the benefit of >>>> those >>>> who participate and not as a way for someone to make money." So at a >>>> very >>>> high level I'd like to propose the following without having worked out >>>> all >>>> the details: >>>> >>> >>> -- Create a coworking facility co-op >>>> >>> >>> -- Each facility that wants to can participate in the co-op >>>> >>> >>> -- The co-op runs the conference >>>> >>> >>> -- Co-op members work to get sponsors >>>> >>> >>> -- The co-op markets to economic development agencies, chambers of >>>> commerce, and major corporations[1] for paid attendance >>>> >>> >>> -- Co-op members get their cut of the profits which help them pay to >>>> attend >>>> the event >>>> >>> >>> Thoughts? >>>> >>> >>> -Mike Schinkel >>>> Ignition Alley Atlanta Coworking >>>> <http://ignitionalley.com/>http://ignitionalley.com >>>> >>> >>> [1] Major corporations are starting to look to the coworking model to be >>>> greener in facility use and to maximize worker/space density to cut >>>> costs. >>>> >>> >>> On Feb 3, 2010, at 10:30 PM, rachel young wrote: >>>> >>> >>> I think an annual coworking conference is a great idea, something >>>> dedicated >>>> to coworking, not tacked on to another event. Something where we could >>>> focus >>>> on coworking and community issues, meet each other, see one another's >>>> cities >>>> and spaces. I'm in! >>>> >>> >>> There would have to be a lot of value to it in order to bring these >>>> already >>>> busy and stretched folks our of their spaces for a few days, though, >>>> something that could leverage our buying power for, I dunno, office >>>> furniture or health care benefits or travel discounts or something. >>>> Something where we can not only have those providers/suppliers sponsor >>>> the >>>> event to offset costs, but to provide real value that would be worth >>>> traveling for. >>>> >>> >>> I've been involved in a few organisations that are spread across >>>> multiple >>>> timezones or parts of the world, and they have decided on location in >>>> similar fashions, which is basically that host cities post their >>>> proposals >>>> and the community votes on where it should be, perhaps one vote per >>>> coworking facility. We can build in assurance that it won't always be in >>>> the >>>> same cities or parts of the country all the time so that people in, say, >>>> the >>>> west coast don't alwyas have to travel to the east coast. (ie, establish >>>> general zones and ensure the annual event rotates between zones) >>>> >>> >>> Anyway, I think it is certainly worth exploring, and being an event >>>> planner >>>> I am all for it. >>>> >>> >>> I put your suggested starting topics onto a wiki page (< >>>> http://coworking.pbworks.com/Coworking-Conference> >>>> http://coworking.pbworks.com/Coworking-Conference), which I think would >>>> be >>>> better to collaborate from there. I do think that this would take some >>>> time >>>> to plan out properly (and give folks some time to save up some money), >>>> so if >>>> you were thinking of escaping the winter conditions in the next few >>>> months, >>>> then perhaps sxswi is your better option for this year. >>>> r. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>>> rachel young >>>> <[email protected]>[email protected] >>>> (416) 801-0196 >>>> >>> >>> Find us in person: >>>> Camaraderie >>>> 102 Adelaide St E, 2nd Floor >>>> >>> >>> Find us online: >>>> <http://camaraderie.ca/blog>camaraderie.ca/blog >>>> <http://twitter.com/camaraderie>twitter.com/camaraderie >>>> >>> >>> <http://groups.google.com/group/coworking/t/85443a86ec7592c2> >>>> >>> >>> Woodie Neiss < <[email protected]>[email protected]> Jan 30 09:49AM >>>> -0500 >>>> >>> >>> Anyone want to get together for the first International Coworking >>>> Community Annual Meeting in ummm let’s say a warm, sunny place like >>>> Miami? >>>> Sort of a one day event where we could discuss best practices, set >>>> some >>>> protocols for future coworking locations and formally organize >>>> ourselves so >>>> that we can leverage our combined power? >>>> >>> >>> Suggested topics to discuss (feel free to edit/add to/delete/etc) >>>> >>> >>> 1) Keys to success >>>> >>> >>> a. pricing >>>> >>> >>> b. Serivices to offer >>>> >>> >>> 2) Managing the bottom line >>>> >>> >>> a. Financing the start up >>>> >>> >>> b. Negotiating lease agreements >>>> >>> >>> c. Managing monthly expenses >>>> >>> >>> 3) Marketing & PR >>>> >>> >>> a. Building awareness >>>> >>> >>> b. How to generate more buzz >>>> >>> >>> c. The power of meet-ups >>>> >>> >>> d. Leveraging your chamber of commerce >>>> >>> >>> 4) Creative suggestions from some of our winning locations >>>> >>> >>> 5) How to formally organize ourselves into an International >>>> organization >>>> >>> >>> Perhaps we could all complete some surveys prior, and then present the >>>> results at the meeting as well? >>>> >>> >>> Regards, >>>> Woodie >>>> >>> >>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>>> "Coworking" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to <[email protected]> >>>> [email protected]. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> <[email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> >>>> > >>>> [email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> >>>> . >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> <http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en> >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>>> "Coworking" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to <[email protected]> >>>> [email protected]. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> <[email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> >>>> > >>>> [email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> >>>> . >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> <http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en> >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>>> "Coworking" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to <[email protected]> >>>> [email protected]. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> <[email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> >>>> > >>>> [email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> >>>> . >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> <http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en> >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>>> "Coworking" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> [email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> >>>> . >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>>> "Coworking" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> [email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> >>>> . >>>> For more >>>> >>> >>> ... >>> >>> read more »- Hide quoted text - >>> >>> - Show quoted text - >>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Coworking" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> >> . >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en. >> >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Coworking" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en. > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. 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