Australian Blogging Conference

Important Update 02 February 2007: Unfortunately due to a last minute and unexpected problem with sponsorship, QUT has decided to postpone the Australian Blogging Conference until later in the year.  At this stage we are now planning to hold the conference in August this year.  Read more here.

I can tentatively announce today that the ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation and the Queensland University of Technology is planning to hold an Australian Blogging Conference on Thursday 8 March 2007 in Brisbane.

Despite the growth of the Australian blogging community mirroring the expansion of the blogosphere elsewhere in the developed world, there have been only a few opportunities (see BlogTalk Downunder) afforded to Australian bloggers to get together and discuss their common interest.  This "unconference", modelled on the successful BloggerCons in the United States, aims to redress this by providing a forum that will allow Australian bloggers to gather together and talk about blogging and the Australian blogosphere.  It aims to be a user-focused conference for the Australian blogging community. 

This will not be a conference in the traditional sense.  It will be relatively informal. Instead of lengthy presentations, people will be invited lead discussions on various topics throughout the day – some practical, such as how to build a better blog, and some theoretical on the role, influence and future of blogs.

It is hoped that all participants in this Conference will learn more about the social, cultural, creative and technological aspects of blogging from one another.

I will be organising this Conference in the days, weeks and months ahead.  I would be interested in hearing your thoughts as to what topics you would like covered and any other suggestions or ideas you may have.  I will also be looking for sponsorship as it is our hope to have no registration fee.  If you have any sponsorship ideas, please also let me know. My email is p2.black@qut.edu.au.

More details will follow ...

Comments

[Des Walsh]

Congratulations on taking the initiative, Peter. It's in my diary and I look forward to participating.

[Darren]

Would like more information as it comes to hand.

[Alex]

Sounds like a great idea.

[Gerry McCusker]

Well done, Peter. Will put think cap on re how I can best support this important event.

[Alister Cameron, Blog Consultant]

This is a great idea.

Perhaps a wiki page so we (Aussie bloggers) can collaboratively "build" an agenda for the gathering?

We could then rate ideas for topics, add our own thoughts, etc.

Either way I'd love to be there.

- Alister

[Jon Y]

Great stuff, Peter. Please add me on to your emailing list.

[Kathie Thomas]

I'm keen to be kept informed also.

[Martin Neumann]

I'm keen on this idea too, so kudos for taking it on.

As Alister said, a wiki page would be a good start which we could all promote and start throwing around ideas on.

[Dave]

I'll definitely be there, so make sure it's on! lol
:)
Bringing a blogger (and real life) friend of mine too. Looking forward to an informative, and interesting day :)

[skepticlawyer]

With any sort of luck I'll be able to time this with Brisbane work commitments - pls keep us posted.

Great idea, ta.

[trikimiki]

great idea, Peter. Will keep an eye on your site for updates and I look forward to attending!

[Jon Y]

Hi Pete,

I'd be terribly flattered if you'd allow me to host the wiki for the conference at http://www.AustralianWiki.com.au

[Yaro]

If you can confirm all the details I'm there!

Yaro

[Chris]

Great intiative. For me, start this from the bottom up with a 1.01 of blogging and terminology (jargon) then perhaps leading to more sophisticated/advanced future sessions.

Chris

[barry]

hmm, sounds good...

[Mr Alborz Fallah]

I will be there for sure,
what sort of sponsorship are you looking at?