Ignite Portland 7: How to win at Ignite or Tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Ignite experience

Sometimes this content is so easy, it practically writes itself. Especially when I’m just repeating stuff I’ve written before. Again and again. But it bears repeating.

So you’ve reached that special time in your life. And you’re headed to Ignite Portland 7, tonight. Exciting isn’t it? You may be experiencing some funny feelings about Ignite.

That’s okay. That’s natural. We all go through it.

Rest assured, we want your Ignite experience to be as fun and rewarding as possible. So whether this is your 23rd Ignite event or your first, here are some tips and tricks for getting the most out of Ignite Portland 7.

First, the venue info:

Bagdad Theater, 3702 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97214

7:00 – 10:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)

Admission is always FREE.

Something special: Giving back to the community

Whoa whoa whoa there tiger! Where do you think you’re going? Don’t go running out the door just yet. I’ve got something important to tell you.

Now, a number of us are in the midst of working a charity fundraiser called 30 hour day. It’s a livestreaming telethon the likes of which the world has never seen. But that’s not what we’re talking about at the moment.

What we’re talking about right now is the fact that part of that telethon will be focused on raising donations for the Oregon Food Bank and Toys for Tots.

Well, the folks at Small Society—an awesome iPhone agency here in Portland—thought “no better time than the present.” So guess what they’re doing? That’s right. They’re helping run a toy and food drive at Ignite Portland. How cool is that? That’s right. It’s very cool.

We know that even the most organic-home-grown-in-my-garden types must have an errant box of mac and cheese lying about, or perhaps you bought too many cans of refried beans in a regrettable Costo moment.   Or perhaps you can swing by your local Fred Meyers and pick up some crayons and a coloring book?  When you’ve got those non perishable foods and new unwrapped toys together, bring ‘em to the Bagdad, and we will take care of the rest.  Whatever you can contribute, we will be grateful.

So head to the cupboard there, Mother Hubbard. Or swing by the store on your way to the event. And give a little something back. You’ll be so filled with warm fuzzies that you might not even need refreshments at Ignite. (Please note: Your level of warm fuzzies may vary.)

Okay. Got your food or your toy? Good. Let’s get going!

Tips and tricks

Here are some “Do”s and “Don’t”s that will help you get the most out of your first, second, third, fourth, or fifth Ignite Portland experience:

• DO bring your camera, your phone, your sketchpad, or any other way of capturing the event.
• DO tag anything and everything #ip7 and/or igniteportland. That way, everyone can find it.
• DO get there early. Really early. I’m serious. Early. Did I say “Early”? Early.
• DO be prepared to give everyone and anyone your Twitter name. (Don’t use Twitter? Get on it.)
• Now that you’re on Twitter, DO try to tweet about the event and hashtag it #ip7. That way, we can see what you’re saying.
• DO be nice to all the Legion of Tech folks and volunteers. (They’re all volunteers, actually. And they’re doing this in their free time.)
• DO take the chance to introduce yourself to anyone and everyone.
• DON’T forget how hard it is for some of these folks to get on stage.
• Still DON’T be the assholes who were heckling presenters and sponsors that one time. The presenters are taking a nervewracking risk and the sponsors are paying for your ass to be in that seat for free.
• DON’T be a wallflower. Talk to people in line while you’re waiting to get into the venue. Talk to people while you’re waiting in the food line. The Bagdad is a great venue for presenting, but talking to folks at breaks will take some doing.
• DON’T claim to be tired and skip the after party. You’d be amazed at the cool discussions you’ll miss. And of course, the after party is always much better for socializing than standing in the aisles at the Bagdad. And as an added bonus, the folks from Back Fence PDX will be joining the Ignite after party.
• DON’T have so much fun at the after party that you wander home and submit some crazy Ignite Portland 8 proposal. I mean, that’s why half of those people are up there, tonight.
• DON’T think you’re going to make it? Well DON’T despair! I suggest you DO watch Ignite Portland from the comfort of your Web browser. All thanks to the wonderful folks at Strange Love Live. And if you’re from out of town, you’re more than welcome to tune into Ignite Portland, too.

Need more tips? Right this way, my friend. The Legion of Tech has posted a list as well.

Luck, luck, break a leg, and luck

Best of luck to tonight’s presenters:

• Rick Huddle – Why we love DB Cooper
• Ward Cunningham – Becoming Bike Oriented
• Elena Moon – How to Capture and Eat Your First Roadkill Deer
• Mike McClure – Roasting Coffee at Home: It’s easier than you think!
• Clifton B – Why Highway Communication Sucks and How We Can Make It Suck Less
• Douglas Wolk – Kant’s “Critique of Aesthetic Judgement”: Drastically Condensed Awesome Version
• Michael Weinberg – Thanksgiving 2.0
• Crystal Beasley – Ecstatics, Zealots & Mass Hysteria : How we collectively lose our minds
• Jason Duerr – Pump Up Your Volume: Building a Pirate Radio Station
• Adam DuVander – The Donkey Man is not on Facebook
• Colleen Wainwright – My bloody epiphany
• Lou Alvis – Human Systems Analysis. What Are People Doing?
• Brett Stern – Rural mailboxes
• Phil Earnhardt – Robots Growing Up: The Future of Robotic Movement
• Marcus Miller – How to cultivate a wisdom of craft.
• Curtis C. Chen – How to Solve Any Puzzle in Less Than 47 Minutes
• Kelly Jo Horton – Confessions of a Dating Ninja
• Randal Schwartz – Karaoke for fun and profit
• Kent Bye – The Resurgence of Hula Hooping

NEW! (sort of) Tips for presenters

No no no. I’m not writing new content, silly. I’m recycling recycled content. It’s all thanks to Jeff Hardison, who presented during Ignite Portland 4.

Last but not least: Party Party Afterparty

What’s a huge event without an afterparty? Well, it’s Ignite Portland 1 and 2, I think. But now, the afterparty is part of the fun.

Everyone loves a good after party. And you’re all invited to Back Stage Bar, right next door to the Bagdad Theater to compare notes with your friends about your favorite IP6 IP7 talk, and start rustling up ideas for the killer talk idea you’re going to submit for IP7 IP8. Or, just come hang out and have a drink. Back Stage closes at 12AM. Also, odds are that a few folks will make their way for a fried pie nightcap down at @Whiffies on 12th and Hawthorne.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

That’s about it. Everything you need to know to make your time at Ignite Portland the best it can be.

Looking forward to seeing you there.