The Buzz on bigBANG!

(feedback from attendees)

 What worked really well?

•  changing tables for discussions, meeting new people, writing/drawing on the  paper table runner
•  Fast pitches and Mobile Innovation Lab
•  Very well done! Can’t believe this is a first-time event.
•  I learned so much at the Senge workshop.
•  There was a lot of energy, and it lasted all day. That is the only conference I’ve  attended where I could say that.
•  Dan Moulthrop was excellent! The interactive approach with the use of  keyboards at the tables was engaging and fun.
•  the way it was organized and the speakers
•  flow of the day
•  Loved the bells and whistles: twitter feed, food trucks, voting, wireless keyboards,  etc. Everything surrounding the conference was flawless.
•  Venue was nice. Pitches were great.
• Pitches were great to hear, good networking opportunities
• Location was good; a lot of potential
• There were a lot of different themes, and I had been concerned that they wouldn’t fit together. The event, however, really integrated them all very smoothly.
• The interactive parts were some of the best parts – 1) because we were not sitting and just listening the whole time AND 2) because of the interesting conversations that resulted.
• The Fast Pitch presentations were very good and provided real examples of innovation.
• Networking opportunities and the breadth of attendees.
• The fast pitch presentations were great! You learned a lot in a short amount of time.
• Everything was very organized and the flow of the program was great (enough time allotted for each activity with plenty of time to network). The use of technology was really cool — made the day more fun and interactive.
• The fast pitches were educational about the organizations highlighted. Peter Senge’s program — especially as he had everyone switch groups as that promoted conversation and connections.
• The presentations by the non-profits were outstanding.
• The seating format.
• The fast pitch presentations were excellent, as was the mobile innovation lab’s interactive exercise.
• Networking and fast pitches.
• the venue
• THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! We had an absolutely fabulous time at the conference Friday.  We met a ton of people and learned a ton about the great organizations in our community. I can say that this experience was a huge inspiration for us.
• The quick pitches were outstanding. More than I expected in terms of passion, content and delivery.
• Just the overall opportunities to make connections were very powerful. Focus was very good.
• The networking aspect, open conversation
• This is the best event I ever worked. I got 50 business cards!
• The servers said this was the best wine selection they’ve ever seen.
• I thought it was especially great that we all had so many opportunities to network with each other.  At many conferences there isn’t enough time to do that.  Thanks for letting our organization be part of this special day!
• Congratulations to you and your team on a great conference today! I met great people and learned some real gems. I especially loved all the bells and whistles: the food trucks, the Twitter feeds, the cool technology used by the Innovation Lab, and everything the Civic Commons brought to the table. It’s conferences like these that are going to bring back Cleveland!

 

What could we improve or do differently next time?

• I think an evening program would attract more people because they would not have to miss work.
• How about a resource center—selling Senge’s books? Other reads, resources?
• I’d suggest closing with one last small group discussion on what action plan each person is coming away with: what intention have we formed to do something differently. Peter Senge’s segment prepped us for this but I don’t think that question was posed formally enough.
• Maybe even more chances for collaboration.