The fires of creative ideas about social media burned brightly throughthe weekend as some 171 participants gathered for PodCamp Pittsburgh 3–known everywhere as PCPGH3. Held at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, the two-day gathering drew people from eleven states and Ontario, as well as one visitor from Australia.
In fast-paced sessions that followed five parallel tracks, pod campers had a chance to learn about the exciting connections that are turning strangers on the Web into friends, clients and valuable resources, as the social fabric of the internet becomes more useful and entertaining. Sessions explored the power of networks for amalgamating interest groups and communicating with whole communities. In doing so, the event immersed participants–who spanned the ages from teens to post-retirement –in the organic fabric of social networks that are changing ways of doing business, offering a global arena for personal hobbies, building brands, and empowering careers.
While the program provided plenty of evidence of style, imagination, and attention to professional talent, it also highlighted the widespread influence of the wild and wacky, low-budget, off-beat inspiration that translates into a growing universe of call-in, advice, lifestyle, and variety shows delivered as podcasts that are building audiences online.
Attendees learned about the many uses of Facebook, MySpace, Linked-In, and other social network development sites as dynamic no-cost tools for the marketing of new enterprises, professional goals, favorite causes and personal interests.
While PodCamps occur in many cities in the U.S. and around the world, PCPGH3 holds a special place in the heart of one of the movements well-known creators and advocates: Chris Brogan, a Boston-based author, blogger, and media consultant. He told the gathering, “PodCamp Pittsburgh is my favorite PodCamp.” It’s all about the enthusiasm and involvement of the community that organizes and sponsors the event, Brogan added.
“You guys just bleed with the potential of this movement,” he said.
Source: PCPGH3
Writer: Joseph Plummer
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