This page is an attempt at a HowTo for an Ignite event. The steps and ideas are based on my running Ignites in Seattle and at O'Reilly Conferences. Feel free to leave additional opinions in the comments. -- brady

Ignite usually has two parts: the Ignite Contest, where people make things, and Ignite Talks, where presenters get 20 slides and five minutes to make their point. Sometimes I've only had Talks, but the contest is fun and can serve as a great warm-up for the talks. Here are some of the steps for making them happen.

Before Your Event

Get a Team Together
There are many jobs that need doing to produce an Ignite. One person can do them all (though it's a lot of work), but it's easier to build a community if more people are involved.

Here are some of the jobs that need to be done:

• Space liaison
• Ignite talk coordinator
• Ignite talk MC
• Make project coordinator
• Make project MC
• Videographer
• Onsite Help--help set up, hand out badges and drink tickets, clean up

Find a Location
This is the hardest part. You need to find a space that:

• has a bar
• has a stage with lighting and sound
• isn't too big or small

That last point is key. For the first Ignite in your area you may want to aim smaller rather than larger. It's better to have an overflowing house than to have empty seats. Let the space grow with your crowd.

Venues have different ways of ensuring that they make money. Some charge upfront, some have a bar minimum--think carefully before signing a contract.

Pick a Date
Sounds easy, but you'll want to make sure that there are no competing events. I also always go for a Thursday, Wednesday, or a Tuesday (in that order). Weekdays are easier to get people to geek event. Mondays tend to be bad, as people are still catching up from the weekend.

Let Us Know
Submit your event to the Ignite site. We'll list it and set you up to blog.

Get Ignite-in-a-Box
Once you contact us, we'll send you templates for presentation slides and signage. Fill in your own city name, print out signs at a copy shop, and send the Powerpoint or Keynote template to presenters.



Promote!
Promote on your own blog, and ping local bloggers. Blog speakers and other news on a rolling basis. List on Upcoming. Send out to mailing lists. I usually send out a "save the date" as soon as I pick a date, another message two weeks before, and then the day of.

Decide on a Contest
Think high-school science fair. Look for a project that builds something out of cheap, easy-to-get materials. Pick something that a team can work on together. In the past we've done popsicle stick bridges, paper airplane contests, and egg slams. While I haven't always been able to include a contest in Ignite, it's lots of fun when we have one.

Recruit Speakers
I look for speakers who are going to talk about geeky activities. I find that I recruit about half of the speakers and get the other half through submissions. I try to create a program with a balance of genders, topics, and serious vs. fun presentations. I use a Gmail address (e.g igniteyourcity@gmail.com) to manage incoming speakers.

Let speakers know that their talk has been accepted. Send speakers the Ignite Powerpoint template, but don't require that they use it. People who were not accepted also need to find that out in a timely manner.

Ask speakers to provide their slide decks (20 slides in total) before the event. Not everyone will, but whatever you get will be a head start.

Schedule
Make sure everyone knows the schedule. I usually do as follows:

• 5PM - On-site setup
• 6PM - Doors and bar open
• 6:30PM - Ignite contest begins (we usually get about 1/3 of our eventual total attendees during this time)
• 8:00PM - Ignite contest ends
• 8:30PM - Ignite talks begin
• 11:00PM Event ends

We usually do two blocks of Ignite talks. Each one is comprised of 8 speakers and takes around 45 minutes.

Once You're at the Ignite Venue

If you've planned it well and you take things in stride, then the night will be easy. Have fun!

Set Up Venue
Do a walk-through. Hang signs. Do a soundcheck. Do a projector check (have a backup, if at all possible).

Set Up Contest
Set out the materials. When you have a good-sized group of people, ask those who want to play to get into teams, announce the rules and start. The rules are what make the contest fun. They have to be constrained enough that people have to work to win, but still allow for creativity. For example if you are doing the egg slam contest you might limit the size and weight. For a popsicle bridge contest we limited the number of popsicles, but let people use as much glue as desired.

Prepare to Run Powerpoint Presentations
Run all presentations from one machine to help keep the speed going. I use Powerpoint for all presentations. I also generally rename files to reflect the order and speaker. Make sure your computer is working and have a backup on hand.

Corral Speakers
You're dealing with lots of speakers in a potentially large venue. Ask all of the speakers for a particular block to be up front before it starts. I usually lure them with drink tickets.

Stay On Schedule
There's a lot of time for padding in the schedule, but try to start on time. You don't want your audience to get bored.

The Talks
The MC kicks things off with an intro, and then brings on the speakers one at a time. I use a wireless hand-held microphone so that I can hand it off to the speakers. You'll need one person to staff the laptop. This person will start the next speaker's presentation as soon as the microphone is exchanged.

End of the Event
Say good-bye. Thank everyone involved. Clean up as directed by the venue--don't be afraid to ask the crowd for help.

After

Blog it. Post the presentations. Upload the video (if you filmed it). Thank everyone. Rinse, Lather, Repeat.

For more information contact us.