In my opinion the event was a wild success.

The coolest part for me was that we had enough space and interest to create smaller spaces with shorter sessions in 1/2 hour slots. This gave opportunity to whatever your heart’s desire. We put a lot of work into making sure that this was as good as it gets. We had some of the most assertive people at registration that day encouraging people to either lead or contribute.

I’m happy to have been a part of this, but it’s a lot of work. Thanks to all those who made it happened for year two. You made it this a very special event.

In my humble opinion, I think the effort you (or anyone) puts into such an event equals what you take away. I had a list of goals for my experience at REBarCamp – San Fran. I wanted to establish real life connections with the folks I’ve met on line. Did I learn alot? No. Did I expect to? No.

While I agree with JD (who was missed), I think the concept of REBarCamp is the same – connect and learn. Leave the extended learning to other opportunities.

I came away with a couple implementable ideas and a lot of new friends. Worth it? You bet!

Meeting you was worth the price of the ticket!

Great post, and great comments all.

Like Ken Brand said, some sessions were fantastic, some flawed. I’m not an agent, but walked away with some key learnings. And, I get as much from one on one conversations than sessions. It all comes down to setting your expectations. You won’t come out of it with a magic bullet, but a little nugget here and there is fantastic.

p.s. Ken Brand does rock. I’m grateful Brad, Andy, Kelly, Ines, you and many others worked so hard to make this happen. I applaud Ginger for bringing her passion to help others to light.

Ken: Meeting you in person was one of the great take aways from Inman and ReBarCamp this year- you are an exceptional person and I treasure the time we got to spend together- You sir – are da man!

I took notes.

I learned.

I shared.

I shook hands or hugged many of interesting people I enjoy, respect, read, stalk and admire on line (priceless).

I made new friends.

The sessions were human, some were fantastic, some were flawed – that’s what makes it an adventure.

The one thing I can’t figure out Bill, and I suspect it’s a well guarded secret, until now, that you MUST have a twin brother. No way I see you here, over there, around the corner, on-line…basically omnipresent…..and now I’m reading your blog post. It’s impossible to be everywhere at the same time, you’re unreal.

You da man!

Cheers.

I didn’t intend to characterize all of them as such. I know many of the presenters are all about sharing.

NAR is in my backyard this year, so I’ll be at the one in San Diego in November, prepared to share with no close.

Jay: You are right there are a number of sponsors in each of the cities. The local volunteers have to look for sponsors – sometimes the local associations, sometimes national companies, sometimes local companies – but even so, they don’t use the ReBarCamp tp pimp their products.

Doug; The pleasure was mutual, and its a shame you missed the SF event, but there’s always next year

Why did I want to go asap? Because I knew that the longer I waited, then it was less likely that I would experience what the first participants got so excited about at SF ’08. And that was the “quality” of the people… the conversations and sharing of ideas… the energy and excitement.

Jonathan’s comment on sharing and newbie’s is accurate, because it is exhausting to explain what a blog is and what someone should write about, and that may dilute the quality of the participants next-time. Or Bob’s comment on “thinly veiled sales pitches” sends a shudder since I have been to many “free” seminars in 18 years of selling RE.

I follow Jay, Kris Berg, Ian Watt, you and others and, if not for a family vacation in Maine, would have been at RE BarCamp SF with you.

Agree with Bill – but also understand the funding for these events has to come from somewhere – I assume there’s some strategic partners for these events that help defray the hosting cost.

Navy Chief, Navy Pride

The feedback I have heard today from friends and clients that attended was that many of the sessions were thinly veiled sales pitches.

Maybe it is time to drop the barcamp part as was suggested earlier.

Wendy; It would be great for RebcSEA if you could keep the Homeless theme- but of course any charitable contribution would be awesome.

Mark: I had no one to talk about comics with here – but the content should get stepped u as the people bring more concerns to the sessions – if we as the community members don’t make the content more advanced or relevant, then shame on us –

Thanks to all of you for sharing and reading