Planning a Conference is So Easy!

If you’re planning a conference in Wonderland with unicorns and rainbow fairies, that is. A make believe conference where you have no day job, no family and every possible connection;  more so then the Mafia.

What a year it is has been. Since 2008, I have proudly served as a committee member for the Interactive Strategies Conference. This year I was asked to step up and take on the role of Chair and serve on the board for the Houston Interactive Marketing Association (HiMA); the organization that puts on the “IS” Conference.

I learned SO much this year. That’s an understatement. I booked 3 Keynote presenters (ambitious, much?) and lost 3 keynote presenters in the same week (different story). I, along with my awesome committee, brought in thousands of dollars in sponsorships – and more coming in. We got Hugh Macleod (@gapingvoid) as our new Keynote and that’s just awesome in itself.

Now, we’re about 2 weeks out from the conference date (Sept 16 – register now…do it) and the worst thing that could happen…did. I died. No, I’m kidding, really. Our venue, for the last 2 conferences; the Angelika Film Center, CLOSED. Doors locked. Out of business (for now). My reaction on Sunday morning upon receiving multiple DMs on Twitter, email, Facebook, “hmm, I better put the baby down and email some people.” And, I did. I put the baby down and got started on what I felt would be the most stressful time – for the next 2 weeks.

A few dozen emails, phone calls, scouting trips later (in one day) I was able to get in touch with a representative at the HOB (Holy Open Bar…Batman?). Maybe, if you attend Our new home for IS2010 is the House of (freaking) Blues! Talk about rocking out! This is a step up! We’re doing what we said we would in my interview with The Overtime Show gals! Making Interactive Strategies bigger and better.

We hope to see as many Houston entrepreneurs, designers, marketing professionals and social savvy media nerds! This has been a great experience being apart of and working with a great team like HiMA and my committee members. Check us out! We’ll be rocking September 16!

Will you be rocking out with us?