[Melbourne-pm] StixCampNewstead, 14th and 15th March 2009

[Stephen Edmonds]

Registrations for StixCampNewstead are now open!

   The weekend of 14th and 15th of March, 2009.
   Welshmans Reef Vineyard just outside Newstead, central Victoria

   http://vic.au.stixcamp.org/

The press release about the event:

Newstead Vic. to Host User Generated Unconference in March 09

All eyes will be turning to the Victorian town of Newstead on the 14th 
and 15th of March this year as it hosts the first StixCamp unconference.

Based on the BarCamp model, StixCampNewstead brings together mainly 
users and developers of open source tools and applications to share 
knowledge about particular subjects, in this case technology and business.

An unconference (unorganised conference) uses volunteers to secure the 
venue and funding but other organisational requirements such as calling 
for submissions, keynote speakers, reviews and talk scheduling are 
either not performed, or done so on the day.

Organiser, Ben Balbo, says this model is surprisingly effective, 
providing participants with an opportunity to share their own knowledge 
and expertise in an interactive environment. “StixCamps are open forums 
for knowledge sharing, something that developers have been doing for 
years over the Internet. A typical event will start with a welcome from 
the lead organiser and a short scheduling session, where those 
interested in presenting or leading a discussion will assist with the 
scheduling of the day’s itinerary.”

Balbo has organised two BarCampMelbourne events in previous years, 
including the first BarCamp in Australia. “After last year’s hugely 
successful city-based event, it was suggested that successive 
unconferences alternate between rural and city locations. Rural 
locations serve to spread knowledge and sharing to those that might not 
readily travel to a major city.”

Newstead resident and StixCampNewstead organiser, Dave Hall, says locals 
are looking forward to the upcoming event. “Every second conversion I 
have with local residents involves StixCamp.”

Anyone interested in attending StixCampNewstead, or being kept informed 
about future events, including the next BarCampMelbourne in September 
2009, is encouraged to join the announcement mailing lists on the 
following websites:

http://vic.au.stixcamp.org/
http://barcampmelbourne.org/

For further information please contact:

Ben Balbo
Convener
StixCamp and BarCampMelbourne
ben {at} benbalbo(.)com
0415 127 120