What I want from a speaker.

Revise

I want a presenter who is passionate and willing to share their up to date knowledge with me, and makes me think. The best at WDS08 for me was Dmitry Baranovskiy and David Peterson. With most other locals I saw doing good.

I do not want some overseas big name, giving the same presentation they gave to another conference, 18 months earlier in 1 hour in 45 minutes. Yes that happened at WDS08. With no adjustments for the shorter time frame, the Australian environment or advances in techniques in the last two years. I was disappointed with most international speakers at WDS08, because they just seemed to lack the passion, had nothing to teach me and just failed to make me think, other than how I could present on that topic better.

Idea # 61Speakers

Comments

I can not agree more with Nick. There was only a few Internationals last year that where exciting for me. They just didn't seem to respect that the Australian audience would be (in part) on that edge and in many cases be their equal in knowledge on the subject. Even if I know the subject, show me a different slant, make me think, engage with me.

I really don't care where the speaker is from, just no sales pitches, show me things that make me thing, make me go - I need to check that out. Make me come out of the conference hall full of questions.

The presentations have to be special, WDS is special its a regional highlight, not a backwater conference with some hicks.

John and Maxine know to well how I feel about this.

I agree with Gary, I don't care where they're from, I want to see things or hear ideas that make me think, 'I need to check that out'. There were a few dud speakers at WDS08 but I would assume there was feedback on that and those people won't be asked to speak again, regardless of where they were from or whether they have written a book.

Activity Chart

Controversy Meter

Conference Ideas

Build the conference you'd like to see

Categories