OKFestival 2014! (Stag at the Geek Prom)

Holy cow, Open Knowledge Festival in Berlin was a lot of fun.

.@john_weeks Thank you for the video! Moments to remember http://t.co/dY24V5oKfk Cc @csvsoundsystem #OKFest14

— OKFestival (@OKFestival) July 24, 2014

I met people I’d only known online, and then was racing off to another meeting or workshop. I was really gratified at the scope and range of participation.  

Partnership for Open Data in cartoon form: http://t.co/0e8RpYZf8G thanks @john_weeks #okfest14

— Emma Truswell (@EmmaTruswell) July 18, 2014

I was looking to showcase two projects: Open Development Cambodia, and the nascent ‘Open Comics‘ project.

Were people interested in both? Yes. But there was so much going on, that it was easy to be another face in the crowd.

The photo above (thanks @MeowTree!) makes it look like I’m the toast of the town.
In all honesty? That’s the person I aspire to be. The life of the party! Globally networked! ‘Full ride’ invites to speak at international events! Fully engaged with the ‘Open’ commmunity! Down to swap culture and info at a moment’s notice!

The same week, (in a parallel universe), I was scrambling to get a slot to present OpenDevCam and Open Comics, which are showstoppers in Southeast Asia, but just more projects in the big world of ‘Open’. Some times I felt like a voice calling out in the wilderness of hipster data geeks.

My ‘lessons learned’:

One: Provide a ‘value added’ approach. Many of the successful OKFest Participants didn’t just present their projects. They integrated their efforts into workshops and seminars that encouraged others to interact and engage – (i.e. Data Uruguay, which managed the ‘UnFestival’ component and hosted our ‘Open Comics’ session). Contact the organizers early, see where you fit best, and get involved way before the doors open.

Two: Come ‘loaded for bear’. In a crowd with donors and possible partners, I had my eyes on some. But my comics presentation was still in draft form. That’s a pretty tough sell. Arguably, that time (and travel costing) could have been better spent on rounding out the presentation. Have your game plan sorted well in advance of arrival.

I’ll be back for OKFest in 2016. Let’s see what I can cook up between now and then. And in a few years? The guy I wish I was may be in a new role or situation — if there is one constant, it’s change.

 

Great sketching from @playability in the #OpenComics session with @john_weeks. pic.twitter.com/Hu41pan11Q

— unFestival (@OKunFestival) July 17, 2014