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How To Produce an Ignite Event
Thanks for bringing Ignite to your community. Here's some information on how to get started.
What Is Ignite?
Started by Brady Forrest, Technology Evangelist for O'Reilly Media, and Bre Pettis of Etsy.com, formerly of MAKE Magazine, Ignite was inspired by Pecha Kucha Nights, where speakers are given 20 slides, each shown for 20 seconds, giving each speaker 6 minutes and 40 seconds of fame. The first Ignite took place in Seattle in 2006, and since then the event has become an international phenomenon, with gatherings in Helsinki, Finland; Paris, France; New York, New York; and many other locations.
Ignite 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. You can opt to only have talks, but the contest is fun and can serve as a great warm-up for the talks.
Below is all sorts of information that will help you get started. Once you've picked your date and venue, let us know and we'll provide you with logos and more information on setting up your blog and creating supporting materials.
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, and more fun, if more people are involved.
Here are some of the jobs that need to be done:
- Venue liaison
- Ignite talk coordinator
- Ignite talk MC
- Ignite Contest coordinator
- Ignite Contest MC
- Videographer
- Onsite 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
- will work acoustically to accommodate a large crowd as well as sound equipment
- 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
This part sounds easy, but you'll want to make sure that there are no competing events. We suggest aiming for a Thursday, Wednesday, or a Tuesday (in that order). It's easier to get people to attend a geek event on weekdays. Mondays tend to be bad, as people are still catching up from the weekend.
Let Us--and the World--Know
Let us know when you've gotten this far and we'll send an email with additional information.
Start Your Blog
The information you'll receive from us will contain instructions on how to start your Ignite blog, which will be a sub-site of ignite.oreilly.com. By using this new blog, your event information it will appear on the main Ignite site, as well as on our calendars.
Get Ignite-in-a-Box
We'll also send you templates for presentation slides and signage. With the logos we'll provide, you can print out signs at a copy shop and send the Powerpoint or Keynote template to presenters.
Promote!
In addition to posting on your Ignite blog, promote the event on your own blog, and ping local bloggers to get the word out. Blog speakers, an upcoming schedule, and other news on a rolling basis. List the event on Upcoming and send it out to various mailing lists. We recommend sending out a "save the date" as soon as you have a set date and venue, another message two weeks before, and a final one 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 you can't always include a contest in Ignite, it's lots of fun when you have one.
Recruit Speakers
Look for speakers who are going to talk about geeky activities. Typically, you'll recruit about half of the speakers and get the other half through submissions. Try to create a program with a balance of genders, topics, and serious vs. fun presentations. For ease of contact, create 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 and, for the sake of simplicity, 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 what's happening at what time. Here's a typical schedule:
- 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 recommend doing two blocks of Ignite talks. Each one is typically comprised of 8 speakers and takes around 45 minutes. Schedule some sort of short intermission in between to allow attendees to stretch their legs and get another drink.
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 of the egg container. 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. We recommend using Powerpoint for all presentations. Be sure to rename the files to reflect the order and speaker. Make sure your computer is working and have a backup on hand.
Corral SpeakersYou'll be dealing with a lot of speakers. Ask all of the speakers for that particular block to be up front before the block starts. 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 can kick things off with an intro, and then bring on the speakers one at a time. Use a wireless hand-held microphone if possible so that the MC can hand it off to each of the speakers. One person will need 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) to your blog.
O'Reilly is showcasing our favorite videos in the Ignite Show. Submit your best videos of the night by sending a URL or download link to ignite@oreilly.com. If any of the videos are chosen for the Ignite Show we'll let you know. We'll also contact the presenters and the videographer to get their permission before posting.
For more information, feel free to contact us.
Events
Ignite Dublin #1September 24, 2009
Trinity College, Pearse Street
Dublin, Ireland
Ignite PICNIC
September 25, 2009
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Ignite Prague
September 28, 2009
Prague, Czech Republic
Announcing Ignite Annapolis 10/1
October 1, 2009
Lowes Annapolis Hotel Powerhouse, 126 West Street
Annapolis MD, United States
Ignite Salt Lake 3.5
October 8, 2009
9690 South 300 West
Sandy UT, United States
Ignite DC #2 is October 8, 2009!
October 8, 2009
2009 8th St NW
Washington DC, USA
Announcing Ignite Austin 10/8
October 8, 2009
Austin TX
Ignite Sydney 3
October 8, 2009
Watershed Hotel, 198 Harbourside, Darling Harbour
Sydney NSW, Australia
Ignite Denver October 09
October 14, 2009
2620 Walnut St
Denver CO
Ignite Portugal to hold its 1st event ever!
October 15, 2009
TBD
Lisbon, Portugal
Ignite Spatial
October 22, 2009
Shelbourne Hotel
Sydney NSW, Australia
Ignite Baltimore #4
October 22, 2009
600 N. Charles St
Baltimore MD, USA
Announcing Ignite New Haven
October 23, 2009
New Haven CT
Ignite Phoenix #5 - November 3rd
November 3, 2009
700 W Rio Salado Parkway
Tempe AZ
Ignite Fort Collins #3
November 11, 2009
802 West Drake Road
Fort Collins CO, USA
Ignite Portland 7, November 12, 2009
November 12, 2009
3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland OR, USA
Announcing the first Ignite London (UK), Nov 18
November 18, 2009
Ginglik - 1 Shepherds Bush Green
London, United Kingdom
First Ignite Waterloo!
November 25, 2009
10 King Street West
Kitchener Ontario, Canada
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