As a planning team member of an edcamp, I saw the amount of time and effort that went into the acquisition of giveaways. I realize not all edcamps work hard at getting 'sponsors' but many I have been to have. Considering the amount of mental capacity and man/woman hours that are spent on getting these giveaways, is that time well spent?
So my question to you is: How important is the giveaways at an edcamp? Would you attend an edcamp if you knew there would be no giveaways? Would you go to an edcamp because they are giving away something?
So my question to you is: How important is the giveaways at an edcamp? Would you attend an edcamp if you knew there would be no giveaways? Would you go to an edcamp because they are giving away something?
I'm not against having swag, but it plays no part in my decision to attend or not attend an Edcamp. Personally, I think it gets in the way of the main goal a little, but I'm not anti-swag.
ReplyDeleteIf it gets in the way, shouldn't we be against it?
DeleteIt depends. For example, if sponsors are providing necessary funds to reserve a space, secure insurance (or coffee), etc., I'd be okay with giving away their swag to give them exposure and market for them. If we are spending time soliciting swag just to be able to give away stuff, I think that should be rethought. Each Edcamp is different, and each group has different expectations and needs.
DeleteI don't make my Edcamp decisions based on swag, but I'm also not a new attendee. For a new Edcamp location with mostly new Edcampers, I think it is more necessary. The event has not proven itself worthwhile without the goods. I have been disappointed in swag scandal, when the same few people won 3-4 prizes each. I want to avoid this at all costs.
ReplyDeleteAs a planner, I go into the process grateful for anything a company is willing to donate. Secretly I need money for non-negotiable things like insurance, food, and coffee, but I don't feel right asking for money. This year we have an accidentally impressive list of sponsors who provided swag and subscriptions, but I'm short on lunch money. Past events have shown that if people leave for lunch on their own many do not come back.
Thanks for the insight, Lisa. It is funny (strange not ha-ha) how people will get 'offended' by who wins what at a free event. We had enough 'big' stuff that everyone but me won something, the peril of being on the planning committee ;)
DeleteI believe that's a reason why many edcamps have gone towards a "morning" only model Lisa.
DeleteIt doesn't affect my decision to attend or not, but I always enjoy and appreciate the swag that I might (and usually don't) win--both for the sponsors who have donated and the organizers who found the sponsors.
ReplyDeleteI think it is too easy to get caught up in the swag at any conference. I have been known to covet a few things on the giveaway list myself, especially the 3D printer ones.
ReplyDelete