We're planning a WhereCamp in Detroit this summer.  The Camp is a free, volunteer-created unconference for folks interested in geography and technology.  Let me know if you're interested in helping to plan -- there's so much we can do. 

Background and principles: An unconference is a conference planned by the participants. The morning the conference begins, we convene together, plan sessions, and break-out into the proposed session discussions and activities. This gives everyone an opportunity to bring to the table the things that interest them the most, and talk about emerging topics that are still new and exploratory. We value open participation, providing access to new voices, and lowering barriers to participation. As a result, the event is driven by the interests and talents of the participants.

The rules of an unconference:

 

  1. The people who come are the best people who could have come.
  2. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened.
  3. It starts when it starts.
  4. It's over when it's over.
  5. The Law of Two Feet ("If you are not learning or contributing to a talk or presentation or discussion it is your responsibility to find somewhere where you can contribute or learn") [sourced]

Timeline:

  • March:
    • Pick a date
    • In-person coordination meeting
    • Send out intro email to attendees?
  • April
    • Secure a venue
    • Launch a minisite?
    • Solicit topics
    • Reach out for food, drinks. Find food / coffee sponsors
    • Eventbrite goes up
    • Make supply shopping list
    • Share schedule for the day
  • May
    • Reminders 
    • More reminders
    • See how we're doing on attendance, place food / coffee hours
    • Events

Location: TBD. Ideas:

  • Madison Building theater (has discussion rooms, open space, an auditorium) 
  • An Office in Detroit (MCHT)
  • WSU Campus (will probably be a cost involved?)

Let's make sure to invite:

  • Local planners:
    • DEGC
    • SEMCOG
    • CDAD
    • D3
    • Michigan Municipal League
    • D:hive (Open City Detroit, placemaking)
    • Detroit Regional Chamber
  • Schools:
    • Geography Departments
    • WSU Planning
    • MSU Planning
    • MSU Remote Sensing & GIS
    • UM Planning (SAND lab)
  • Corporate:
    • Ford, GM, GM-OnStar, GeoCritical, Rock Ventures, Compuware (Covisint), FutureNet, GISi
  • GIS Organizations:
    • IMAGIN (http://www.imagin.org)
    • Oakland County GIS Steering Committee
    • Detroit GIS?
  • Non-Profits:
    • Michigan Suburbs Alliance
    • Great Lakes Information Network
    • Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance
    • Michigan Environmental Council
    • Bike Detroit
    • Project for Public Places
    • Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
    • Fresh Water Transit

Coming:

  • Matt Hampel
  • Mark Parthum
  • Alex B. Hill
  • You!
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