Ignite Portland 10: 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 10, 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. And for many of us, it’s been awhile. And we’re feeling a little nervous. Can we still Ignite like we used to?

Rest assured, we want your Ignite experience to be as fun and rewarding as possible. It’s a special time in your life. And you deserve to get the most out of it. 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 10.

First, the venue info:

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

7:00 – 9:00-ish PM (Doors open at 5:00 PM with Oregon Food Bank donation; 5:45 without)

Admission is always FREE.

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… (well, you get the picture) Ignite Portland experience:

• DO bring your camera, your phone, your sketchpad, or any other way of capturing the event.
• DO tag anything and everything #ip10 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 #ip10. That way, we can see what you’re saying.
• DO be nice to all the Stumptown Syndicate 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.
• DON’T have so much fun at the after party that you wander home and submit some crazy Ignite Portland 11 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. And if you’re from out of town, you’re more than welcome to tune into Ignite Portland, too. Just visit the Ignite Portland site around showtime.

Luck, luck, break a leg, and luck

Best of luck to tonight’s IP10 presenters:

• Clifton B – What startups can learn from the yo-yo community
• Curtis C. Chen – A Homebrew Cat Feeding Robot
• Amy Dubin – This is Tea!
• Garin Etcheberry – Our obligation to be radical
• Brad Fortier – The Human Brain on Improvised Theater
• Jolie Guillebeau – Why Anyone Can Draw (and Tools to Prove It)
• David V. Horste – Queen Coal Technology
• Willem Larsen – Language Hunting: Let’s Save Endangered Languages Now By All Becoming Instant Polyglots
• Josh Marinacci – The Hogwarts Textbook
• Kevin Murphy – Application of Time Management Principles to Catching an Airplane
• Andrew Nhem -GTFO: Change up where you get stuff done
• Bridget Pilloud – The Sociology of Cute (Or, the Survival of the Adorablest)
• Denise Rothman – My Pet Slug
• Angela Stacklin – How to turn a fairytale romance into reality
• Ember Stevens – How to Impress a Librarian
• Brandt Stickley – Creating Gift Economy in 5 Easy Steps
• Sarah Stricker – Your Memories Are Etched in Jello
• Mary Anne Thygesen – Foreclosure Carols
• Nitya Wakhlu – Graphic Recording: What it is and why you should care
• Ním Wunnan – Presenting on Presenting

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 and who, as luck would have it, will be presenting, tonight.

Well, there you go, you Ignite attendee you. Enjoy yourself. And revel in what has become a truly Portlandy event.