CloudCamp uses crowdsourcing to bring free cloud computing forum to Vancouver

It’s just after 9:30 AM at CloudCamp Vancouver – pre-coffee. Dave Nielsen is standing at the front of the room, about to begin the opening session. There’s some scuffling and whispering - anticipation, mild confusion and definitely wondering about the inconvenient Saturday hour.  But then, CloudCamp Vancouver is a day-long, free event. Are you waiting for the catch? It does seem like there would be one. After all, who offers free seminars unless there's a timeshare involved?  Meanwhile, the CloudCamp team uniform isn't helping: local organizers Jenny, Trevor and Troy are all wearing baby blue, white-trimmed CloudCamp branded baseball shirts that scream “I’m in sales! Hear my pitch!”

Which would be fine,  except for the minor detail that no one is trying to sell anything (not even Dave, and he’s a CloudCamp co-founder who created the Unconference format). There might be a longterm CloudCamp agenda – who knows? Widespread education and the ultimate assimilation of all existing servers? How very Terminator. No, the smartest thing to do here is objectively consider a company such as CloudCamp which, at face value, provides a free, moderated forum set up to advance and demystify cloud computing for experts and beginners while openly deconstructing the pros and cons of every situation. Plus lunch. Although lunch – now see, that’s definitely a skewed view.

“This isn’t scripted and there’s no set schedule,” Dave says, “The way CloudCamp works is we figure it out as we go along...and everything usually works out. Or you know, we make it work. So far so good!”

So, CloudCamp isn't your everyday conference: it’s an Unconference. The whole point is to simplify so attendees can focus on the sessions based on the most up-to-date information. Planning doesn’t begin until topics start to fly – well after everyone walks in the door on the day of the event.

For the CloudCamp business model, Dave developed a concept for global expansion based on  crowd-sourcing. CloudCamp leverages services through their network of volunteer organizers. Each Unconference is organized by a volunteer who requests to spearhead creation of the forum as a free, informal, fully sponsored and financed event where anyone with an interest in cloud technology can convene to discuss and debate current issues in a supportive environment.  CloudCamp completely relies on volunteers to organize the Unconferences which are propelled forward by the participation of the attendees.

Jenny Yang is a Co-Founder at MetaFor Software and Board Director for The Vancouver Enterprise Forum – she saw an opportunity to bring CloudCamp to Vancouver and set out to undertake the Unconference as a volunteer organizer.  Jenny connected with local cloud entrepreneurs Troy Angrignon (Management Consultant) and Trevor Orsztynowicz (CTO, Layerboom Systems), pulling off an impressively well-attended event with registration  topping out at 130.

There were only five women at CloudCamp Vancouver. And yet - you'd be hard-pressed to find a warmer, more supportive atmosphere to learn in. Sometimes it's easy to dismiss conferences like CloudCamp if you feel they're dealing with a technology which doesn't carry an immediate relevance to your company. But can you confidently say you know exactly what your company will need three, even five years from now? Can you guarantee where you'll be working? (As in - what if you sell, then acquire someone else's tech issues?)

You can check out CloudCamp's schedule here. They're always looking for volunteers and would love your help.

Check back mid-week for Part 2 of CloudCamp Vancouver -- take a peek at Unconference videos!

• an extended breakout session with Troy
• the End of Day Wrap-Up with Dave

E.N. If you passed along your card, look for your company name in Part 2 - a list is being compiled of everyone who participated in the sessions! Videos will be edited for content but all companies (or a contact wherever possible) will be listed and linked.