Ignite 4
Mar 8th
Right, I’m blogging about this. I wasn’t going to, but I feel the urge to now, so here goes….
Firstly, I ask you to consider one thing. Could you stand on stage, in front of 100 strangers and talk about something that you are passionate about?
I suspect most of us would say “No way“. With that in mind……..
What is Ignite? Let me tell you (well, let O’Reilly tell you as it is….!)
Ignite goes global—from March 1-5, 2010, 50+ Ignites will take place in cities around the world. Upwards of 10,000 entrepreneurs, technologists, DIYers, creative professionals, and enthusiastic knowledge-seekers will gather in local pubs, theaters, and other convivial venues for an evening that is a unique blend of networking, information, and fun, encapsulated in the Ignite motto: “Enlighten us, but make it quick.”
In talks that are exactly five minutes long, Ignite presenters share their personal and professional passions, using 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds.
Understand now? Cool. So this was Cardiff’s 4th Ignite, after 3 pretty awesome ones (2 in particular because of the speakers 
). I know how hard it is to get up on stage, in front of 100 – 150 people (most of them strangers) and talk about something that is passionate to you. You’re never going to please everyone.
The planning and effort that goes into organising these events is epic. My input was minimal (really, setting up the slides, and introducing people on stage. Oh and buying the speakers drinks if I could find them!). The effort that Claire Scantlebury and Neil Cocker put in, along with Rob Ashelford at the WMC was insane. And yes, it was all done in their free time, to make the evening good for everyone who came. Also a massive thanks to Ruby Samba, who kindly played at the after party in Ffresh, absolutely amazing.
And all in all, I think it was a good event. Ok, so some of the speakers were different. But if it was the same every time, then people wouldn’t want to come, would they? Variety is the spice of life. One of the best things about Ignite is that as the hosts, we get to see the slides before the event, but have no idea what people are actually going to stand up and say. It’s as exciting for us as it is for you!
So yes, after this event one journalist wrote an article that, in my opinion, was a bit harsh. But, that is my opinion on that article, and I’m entitled to it, just as they are entitled to write what they did. What upset me was that it got published on a popular website with such appalling grammar and spelling, even getting names wrong, and using old pictures from previous events. I just think if you’re going to be critical, at least get the basics right out of respect. But that doesn’t reflect badly on me, I didn’t write it. That’s all.
Personally, I think the only fault from this event was that we didn’t have more speakers. And to be honest, we were let down at the last minute with this, which is a risk you take when everything going on is voluntary.
And that’s Ignite, a free event, where 95% of the people there come for the social side of it, and to hopefully be enlightened by the speakers. If it doesn’t float your boat, that’s absolutely fine, and lets not be too harsh about Journalists, after all, it’s their job to spark opinions, get people talking etc, it’s just unfortunate that it’s Ignite that got picked on this time.
So that’s that. A massive thanks to all the speakers, and to everyone who came along. It takes a lot of guts and courage to stand up on stage and discuss something you are passionate about.
Now ask yourself, “Could I do that?”
If the answer is “Yes“, then get in touch, Ignite Cardiff 5 is already in the pipeline 
March 8, 2010 - 11:13 pm
Thanks to all for the constructive feedback on what does and doesn’t work, we’re in our early stages and still learning so feedback is really useful.
If you find organising your event easy that’s great news, maybe we are doing something wrong and perhaps if you can offer some advice it’ll help us in the future. What isn’t helpful is abuse and negativity, we’re all on the same side and trying to something good for the community – if you have constructive feedback I’d love to hear it, but let’s gave some respect and support for those who give up their free time for this.
March 8, 2010 - 10:37 pm
We run an Ignite in the Midwest so I wasn’t at this one, but was pointed at these discussions by a friend.
‘The planning and effort that goes into organising these events is epic. …. The effort that … put in … was insane.’
If you’re on your 4th event and you’re putting in ‘epic’ effort, you’re doing something very wrong. You get a venue. You get sponsors. You get speakers. It’s not the Oscars.
And if it IS a lot of effort, don’t tell people about it. If you don’t want to run an Ignite, don’t run one. Nobody is forcing you to. When you get bad feedback, don’t do the sympathy thing and say how much of your time was spent on it. That’s a great way to get nobody to turn up to the next one.
March 9, 2010 - 9:17 am
There’s a bit more to it than that (depending on the sophistication of your event + speakers): organising, transcoding and uploading video. Sorting out running order. Technical glitches. Tweaking presenters’ slides who haven’t timed them correctly. Marketing. Tickets. Dealing properly with presenters who you have to turn down. etc. etc.
There are more details than ‘venue, sponsors, speakers’.
March 8, 2010 - 10:55 pm
Thanks for your comments. Personally, I think Claire and Neil have got Ignite prep sorted, like you say, find a venue, get speakers, done. All I’m saying is that from an outsiders point of view, I didn’t appreciate how much goes in to even those basic things. Even down to ensuring the speakers actually turn up on the night, some things are simply out of anyone’s control. “Epic” is my way of saying that I feel people have done well, it’s not meant in its true sense.
I didn’t write this blog to get credit or appreciation, I wrote it to suppress some bitter chat that was happening on Twitter, most certainly not to encourage any more, or anything similar. Again, personally, I’ve done nothing to get credit or appreciation, and wouldn’t benefit from it in any way.
In the future, I hope to be organising an Ignite event at another UK City, to promote the Ignite community, as that’s what this should be about, working together, offering support and help and making Ignite as awesome as it should be. A great way to get no one to turn up would be to sit here whinging, which is most certainly what I am not doing.
March 8, 2010 - 9:43 pm
This was my first This was my first Ignite. The venue is, to my utter amazement, awful. We were stood towards the back and for the salt speech, could only hear the yapping of people in the cafe. The whole event needs to be moved back half an hour, past the cafe’s closing time. I was rather shocked at how badly sound carried in the atrium, considering how well it carries in the main theatre.
The lack of preparation by some of the speakers was outstanding. They even tweeted as much. Talk about owning your brand. I guess next year the organisers should set an earlier deadline for the slides to be submitted.
There could have been more speakers, the brake went on for a lot longer than was required to my mind.
And I’d drop the karaoke speeches. @chriscsefalvay was amusing, but I figure he’d have managed that stood on the stage by himself.
It’s good that this sort of thing is going on in Cardiff and I’d like to come to more. Take it on the chin, regroup and make #5 great!
March 9, 2010 - 12:04 am
Couldn’t agree more. I think this kind of event needs a small venue, a bar, like Soda Bar.
I’m pretty certain I won’t be around to help with #5, but I’m sure it will be better than 1,2,3 and 4 put together
March 8, 2010 - 8:17 pm
Excellent comments, thank you.