Deciding on a Conference Keynote
I’m not so sure we’re going to have a keynote speaker at Gnomedex this year. It’s not for a lack of wanting or trying, but we simply do not take that label as lightly as some conference producers do (nor do we sell that title to any bidder). I feel that everybody attending Gnomedex is our keynote – whether they’re participating on stage or in the audience. These people ARE the conference. The tone is set by everybody, so long as the tuning fork is resonating at a harmonic frequency (so to speak).
I looked up the definition of “keynote” on Google, just to make sure I wasn’t too far off the mark with my beliefs:
Opening remarks of a meeting that set tone of the event and motivate attendees.
Hasn’t it always been the case that we share energy between one another throughout the course of the weekend? Wikipedia defines “keynote” in deeper terms:
A keynote in literature, music or public speaking is the principal underlying theme of a larger idea — a literary story, an individual musical piece or event. At political or industrial conventions and expositions and at academic conferences, the keynote address or keynote speech is delivered to set the underlying tone and summarize the core message or most important revelation of the event.
As a lifeform, Gnomedex continues to evolve. Its strength is found in empowering each participant with energy and ideas. Energy. Ideas. Technology. Traditionally, Gnomedex has been a zeitgeist-type event – which is a commodity concept, save the uniqueness of our community and event design and execution.
Should we keep pushing for a keynote, play something in its stead, or suspend the “need” for a keynote altogether?
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9 Comments
The Chris Pirillo Show
November 9th, 2009
at 10:09pm
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ShadowMyth
July 16th, 2007
at 7:44pm
Uh, why not Chris?
ShadowMyth
July 16th, 2007
at 7:47pm
ooops, I accessed this page from Ponzi’s page, I thought I was replying to one of her pieces. I should say, why not YOU Chris? I mean who would better fit the position?
Sean Bohan
July 16th, 2007
at 8:07pm
I trust you guys to put on a good show. If you arent doing a keynote (and I think the Gnomdexers would love to know who wants $100k to speak before this crowd) what about a bigger panel to kick things off?
or he Gnomedex Gong Show… where the audience determines who stays on stage :)
Shawn Rogers
July 16th, 2007
at 8:32pm
Chris,
The best thing about Gnomedex is the vibe. And the fact that you don’t follow the “rules” is something I really like about it. With that said an anchor speaker or keynote can add a lot to the event. I really enjoyed Mark Kantor giving Edwards a hard time last year. Curry the year b4 was fun too. How about a futurist? or media guru? I look forward to learning and networking at the event a good keynote is always worth the time. See you in August buddy!!!
Matt Keever (Keeves)
July 16th, 2007
at 10:24pm
My suggestion is to keep pushing for a keynote speaker. In my experience the keynote speaker may be the reason some people come. And if you have the right person, they can grab everyones attention and set the tone for the conference.
alex
July 16th, 2007
at 10:34pm
Chris,
I just learned about you tonight. i´ve just finished watching the 50plus minute long video you’ve posted on YouTube about you moving back (or “upgrading”) to XP from Vista. Actually, i saw it on LifeHacker… whatever. Frist of all, i loved it. Found it incredibly informative and, as it often happens when we think something is great, it is EXACTLY what i did: i installed VISTA ULTIMATE in MARCH i think, on a high end desktop i own, but went back to XP after only a two months. I’m 28, i’m from Argentina, and i have been a windows user since Win 3.11, and i’ve been SERIOUSLY considering Ubuntu and OS X for a while now, even though i’ve never been too enthusiastic about Mac’s or Apple, but mainly because i’m tired of “fixing” and tweaking Microsofts OS’s. I know it would be a LOT of work and getting used to the new stuff to do that, specially after 12 years of Windows, but i just might… I guess i’ll try them with dual and triple boot, and then decide.
Anyway, congratulations on your incredible blog, the fine Vista video!
I’ll be reading you from now on.
Cheers!
P.D.: nevermind my blog, it sucks. It’s only for my personal ranting. ha!
Barbara Gavin
July 17th, 2007
at 3:58am
I think it starts each morning off strongly to have some sort of rock star launch the day. Someone who can share with your participants their view of the world…or how they did some great thing that we are all still shaking our heads about.
One thing you could try – that gives you a bit more control and also makes it easier for your target to say yes, is have the keynote be a “conversation”. Just you and he or she on stage, with you asking questions.
It is early here in Boston and I can’t think of his name, but what about the guy who started Twitter?
Good luck!
Greg (canine in twitter)
July 17th, 2007
at 5:25pm
Gnomedex seems like something to participate in rather than attend. I don’t know that a keynote speaker would do anything for me other than kill an hour or so. Gnomedex has more of a hacker feel, hidden under the guise of a gnome.
can’t wait
Greg