Initial brainstorming with the team
The “Coachella of UX” in Calgary aims to be a vibrant, engaging event that combines professional growth, networking, and community building. By offering diverse activities, ensuring inclusivity, and providing value through skill development and networking opportunities, the event will attract a wide range of UX professionals and foster meaningful connections.
Event Goals
Entice People to Connect: Create opportunities for attendees to network and build relationships. Hands-on Experience: Offer practical, interactive sessions to help participants develop skills. Meeting New People in the Industry: Facilitate introductions and conversations among UX professionals. Event Structure
Afternoon/Evening Event: The event will take place in the later part of the day to accommodate different schedules. Kickoff: Begin with an engaging introduction to set the tone. Second Day: Extend the event to a second day for more in-depth experiences and networking opportunities. Activities and Sessions
Workshops for Introverts: Specialized sessions to make shy individuals comfortable. Round Tables and Small Groups: Encourage intimate discussions and hands-on activities. Puzzle Activity: Team-building exercise where groups solve a puzzle together. Portfolio Reviews/roast: Randomly select portfolios for constructive feedback. Design Failures and Struggles: Share and learn from past mistakes and challenges. Special Features
Free Ticket Event for VIPs: Offer free tickets to supervisors, managers, and other key individuals. Volunteer Certificates: Recognize and reward volunteers with certificates. Badge and Sticker Collection: Gamify the event with collectible badges and stickers. Innovation Week: Highlight innovation in UX with a series of dedicated sessions. Inclusivity and Approachability
Workshops for Introverts: Create a welcoming environment for shy attendees. Semi-Circle of Questions: Use tools like Mentimeter to gather and display questions. Small Groups and Round Tables: Facilitate comfortable and manageable group interactions. Promoting the Event
Pre-event Graphics: Share visuals on platforms like LinkedIn and ADPList to generate interest. Hype and Motivation: Ensure the event is perceived as valuable and worth attending, especially for busy professionals. Follow-up Activities: Right at the end of the event encourage attendees to share their takeaways and post about their experiences. Value Proposition
Skill Development: Offer hands-on workshops to help attendees enhance their skills. Networking: Provide ample opportunities to meet and connect with others in the industry. Soft Skills Training: Include sessions on public speaking, argumentation, and job interview techniques. Community Engagement
Volunteer Opportunities: Enable participants to volunteer on projects that can be added to their portfolios. Supportive Environment: Focus on creating a space where people can share and support each other, addressing issues like burnout and professional challenges.
Next steps:
Surveying the community to gather more information
Discovery
