Sponsor: GoodLife Fitness

Jun 10th, 2011   Kevin Van Lierop We are pleased to announce GoodLife Fitness as the most recent Gold Sponsor for PodCamp London 2011.  We're excited to have another local sponsor come on board to support this year's event.

GoodLife Fitness has become the largest Canadian fitness organization by adhering to a simple philosophy: caring. We give every Canadian the opportunity to live a healthier, happier life - and feel better about themselves. We do it by making fitness fun, easy and affordable. This passion for caring drives everything we do. Our network of GoodLife clubs is built on a foundation of highly trained associates, innovative programming, top-notch equipment and strategic partnerships to bring you an unmatched level of service. Caring is at the heart of the GoodLife culture. It sets us apart as both a fitness centre and as an organization to grow with. Associates are encouraged to care for themselves through personal fitness and peak attitude. Staff are encouraged to care for each other as GoodLife team members and to motivate each other to do their best for members. And, most importantly, they care about our members, and truly want to look after their needs and interests as if their own. It’s all about caring -for you and your life.

Thanks again GoodLife Fitness for investing back into the community you call home.

Party, Food & Fun

Jun 9th, 2011   Kevin Van Lierop

Party, Open Mic, Food & Fun

So what happens when 3:30pm hits on Saturday afternoon? Does PodCamp London simply stop? Do people head home? Do the conversations end? NO! (sorry for yelling, I couldn’t contain myself) We’ve decided here at PodCamp Headquarters to help keep the conversations going. An Official PodCamp London After Party will be held in downtown London at Barney's Lounge. This party will feature, food, conversations and drinks. Details are as follows

Time & Location

The After Party begins at 7pm at Barney's Lounge in downtown London and will go until you leave or they cut you off. There is a large patio ourdoors if it's nice weather. Barney's Lounge is located at 671 Richmond Street at John Street. Please do not show up prior to 7pm as PodCamp London organizers might still be setting up or more more likely having dinner. Because of the 7pm start time all PodCamp London attendees are responsible for planning their own dinner arrangements. Suggestions for restaurants can be found out during the events on Saturday, just ask someone there. I have some personal favourites and would be happy to share them with you.

How To Get In

In order to get into the After Party you need to show a couple of things. First, you will need your PodCamp London official badge. Without this you will not be allowed to enter the After Party. This is one of the many ways we can weed out the “Social Media Posers” (The other way is by asking this question: How many types of people are there in the world? Answer). You will receive this badge upon registration in the morning at PodCamp London. Second, you need to be smiling. The after party is no place for grumpy bears. If you don’t present these two things at the door we will probably look at you funny until you leave (or until you do the official handshake, Wink Wink.).

Food & Drinks

Finger foods to satisfy any munchies you may be having and limited drink tickets will be provided to help fuel the PodCamp London after party. Although finger food and drink tickets will be provided (in limited quantities of course) all PodCamp attendees are responsible for providing their own dinner option. There will be food available to purchase (and additional drinks) at Barney's, however, you may chose to eat before you arrive.

Transportation

Because drinking and driving is bad, and we want everyone to enjoy their evening while being safe we suggest that people carpool or take an alternative transportation option to the after party. The following are just a few of the options to help get you to (and from) the after party.

Carpool

For those who may be staying at Windermere Manor or for those from out of town, carpooling might be a good option. There is always an extra seat or two in a car so why not share it. Its a great way to make new friends (or enemies) and plus its good for the environment. Be environmentally friendly PodCampers.

Taxi

The following are 3 taxi companies in London that you may wish to utilize.

• Checker - 519-659-0400 (flat rate zone service)
• U-Need-A - 519-438-2121
• Abouttown - 519-432-2222

The fare for a taxi ride from the Convergence Centre to The Ceeps (or Station Park Inn) should be roughly $13 (give or take). If your taxi ride ends up costing you $200 you are probably in Toronto. (When calling DO NOT ask for the PodCamp London rate as one does not exist. You may however try asking for the Government of Canada rate, although I am sure that you would get charged 10x as much.)

Parking

Paid Parking is available behind the Ceeps and I believe it is $7 (but I could be wrong). Parking on London streets and at parking metres (most) is free after 6pm on Saturdays, so you should be ok to park at the on street parking, but please make sure to check the sinage before parking.

Public Transportation

Barney's is accessible from the Convergence Centre by taking the #13 Wellington Road bus. Although there is no stop directly at the Convergence Centre, a short 5 minute walk will get you to the University Hospital where the bus is located. Find me, Kevin Van Lierop, during the day on Saturday if you want more information on this transportation option. (or any other bus route)

Teleportation

There is an option for attendees to be teleported from the Convergence Centre to The Ceeps. Although there is no guarantee that you will arrive in the correct location or in one piece I am very hopeful that this will be a viable and environmentally friendly option.

Sessions, Schedule, Location & Lunch

Jun 9th, 2011   Kevin Van Lierop With PodCamp London 2011 less than a week away we will be announcing a number of things over the coming days you will want to pay attention to. Today we have lots of information for you.

Schedule

Here at PodCamp headquarters we thought that it might be appropriate to draft up a formal (yet flexible) schedule so that all attendees are on somewhat of the same page (and so that no one sleeps in to arrive when the bar opens). What we have for you below is a condensed outline for the day.

9:30 AM – Registration 10:15 AM – Kick Off 10:30 AM – 11:50 PM – Morning Sessions 11:50 PM – 1:00 PM  - Lunch (Very Important) 1:00 PM – 3:20 PM – Afternoon Sessions 3:20 PM – 3:30 PM – Wrap Up 7:00 PM  - After Party (Details to Come)

For a detailed look at the entire list of sessions and events for the day check out the PodCamp wiki. As session presenters add their presentations to the schedule you should have a better idea of how things will unfold during the day. Note: Please remember that because PodCamp is an un-conference the schedule is flexible, adaptable and in some ways organic. With that said, be prepared for it to be changed up until the day of PodCamp and during the day itself. Sessions may be added (perhaps by you?), removed, moved around etc.

Sessions

Only a week away from PodCamp and we already have around 30 sessions with the chance of more being added up until and including the day of (Do you want to add a session?). If you are presenting we now have the wireframe schedule in place where you can now add your session into one of the available time slots. There are 3 rooms available with seating capacities of either 50 or 75 people. To add your session head over to the PodCamp Wiki Schedule (2011) section and find an open time slot that you would like to present in. Within that cell please include all of the following information.

Presentation Title

Your Name

Your Twitter Username (we want this for a Fun little interactive project being developed for PodCamp)

A BRIEF description of your session (perhaps 140 characters!)

Look to the existing scheduled sessions for a general template. If you have any problems please do not hesitate to Contact the PodCamp London organizing team for assistance. Note: Some sessions have been pre-schedule due to time constraints, conflicts and other logistical considerations, but for the most part the schedule has been provided initially to all presenters in a bare-bones form.

Location

In case you are coming from out of town or are from London but don’t get out often (like myself) it would be good to know where PodCamp London is being held. With space graciously donated in kind by The Research Park, PodCamp London is being held in one of the greenest buildings in Canada, The Convergence Centre. Designated as a LEED Gold certified building, the Research Park as made a concentrated effort to reduce the building’s environmental footprint during both construction and operations. For more details about the location Click Here. Without a doubt we couldn’t have asked for a more appropriate space. A Thank You needs to go out toThe Research Park for this fantastic space and continual support of PodCamp London.

Lunch

So what’s a PodCamper to do when at The Convergence Centre for lunch? Don’t worry, that’s covered. Thanks to The Windermere Manor (location of last year’s after party) lunch will be provided for all PodCamp attendees. We’ll have a nice long lunch break with a BBQ lunch (weather permitting) provided by Windermere Manor and a cash bar (beer and wine available) on location. Coffee and tea will be available in the lobby as well. For the vegetarian lovers out there, I inquired if there will be a vegetarian option and there will be, so don’t fret. Thanks to The Windermere Manor (and all our other great sponsors/community partners), PodCamp London might just be the most affordable conference/un-conference you have ever attended. (note: HST is included in ticket price) If there is something important that you think we have failed to mention please leave us a comment below and we will try to address it as soon as possible. (Details about the after party will be announced later this week)

KickOff Open House

Jun 8th, 2011   Kevin Van Lierop Are you typically bored on Friday nights? Coming to PodCamp London on Saturday and want to know to expect? Looking to make some new friends but are tired of getting hit on by middle aged men, wearing sequin shorts, at Jim Bob Ray's (does this guy still exist?). If any of these sentences describe you then we have something you're going to like.

Open House

This Friday, June 10th, 2011 at 7pm-11pm join other PodCampers, social media types and geeks of all ages at the PodCamp Kick-Off Open House at the UnLab. The details are as follows:

Who: You What: PodCamp KickOff Open House Where: The UnLab (downstairs) at the Convergence Centre, UWO Research Park When: Friday June 10th, 2011 7pm-11pm Why: To meet other peeps, to learn about the UnLab and to enjoy some good company How: It's an open house, just show up. The doors will be unlocked, just follow the signs when you arrive.

Bring yourself, a friend, some munchies and refreshments if you like and relax at this Kick Off event. Refreshments will be served and good conversations will be had. oh, and a side note. Christopher Walken will probably not be in attendance, but he builds robots in his garage (apparently) and this is something you can do at the UnLab. Yep, that was a stretch but the picture was just too cool to pass up.

Sponsor: Fanshawe College

Jun 8th, 2011   Kevin Van Lierop We would like to welcome Fanshawe College to PodCamp London as a Gold Sponsor. Fanshawe's knowledge of and dedication to new media and technology is an invaluable resource in London and the surrounding region.

Fanshawe College is a full-service Government of Ontario community college, with six campuses in Southwestern Ontario. We offer training and educational programs in applied arts, business, health care, human services, hospitality, literacy, academic upgrading, life skills, computers, technology, apprenticeship and English as a Second Language. In addition to over 110 full-time certificate and diploma programs, Fanshawe is extensively involved in the design and delivery of custom training for federally and provincially sponsored trainees, community organizations, sectoral training councils and private sector employers in the business, health, industrial and services sectors. Plain and simple, Fanshawe College is the smart investment for your future. Because we’re constantly upgrading our technology and curriculum to ensure Fanshawe students get the skills and experience that employers are looking for. In fact, employers keep coming to us — for co-op and on-campus recruiting — competing to hire Fanshawe grads for jobs before someone else does. With Fanshawe’s Career Services you’ll get access to job search consultations, information, and on-campus recruiting — both while you’re a student and after you graduate. The facts speak for themselves: 87% of Fanshawe College grads found employment within six months.

Thanks Fanshawe College for supporting the local community, events like PodCamp and developing future leaders in technology and other related industries.