How it works
Phase I: Potential session leaders can begin submitting ideas online and voting begins.
Phase II: The most popular sessions will be selected
Phase III: Selected session leaders will be contacted in the morning to prepare for their sessions.
Phase IIII: Conference agenda will be posted online.
ProductCamp Vancouver is an un-conference. Anyone who is interested in leading a session can submit a proposal via UserVoice. All ProductCamp Vancouver attendees will vote on proposed sessions via UserVoice, where the most popular sessions will be selected and confirmed before the conference begins.
https://productcampvancouver.uservoice.com/
Please note:
Each potential session leader is limited to two session proposals. This is to encourage maximum participation by all interested session leaders.
We reserve the right to select topics and sessions to ensure a wide representation of themes.
If you have questions, please use our Contact Us page.
Need inspiration for a session topic? Here are a couple of questions you can ask yourself:
1. What have your colleagues said that you do really well that makes a great topic?
2. What is something that you (or someone else) did that you are proud of?
Session Formats
You can structure a session however you wish, but to help align expectations of the session leader and the participants, we offer the following descriptions of formats that have been well received in previous ProductCamps. It is not necessary to follow these formats, but experience has shown them to be popular and using the label will help match expectations for those who com to a session. In general, the sessions that have been reported as most enjoyed and talked about have been very interactive. This list is is not intended to be limiting, so feel free to be creative.
Workshop
In this format, the audience is actively involved, collectively or in groups, in an exercise or application of a technique or process which has been presented by the session leader. The description should mention the portion of the session spent in the exercise and what the attendees will produce. Proposers are encouraged to have knowledgeable assistants to help answer questions and support the exercise.
Ask the Expert
This format is most successful with a recognized authority on a subject of wide interest, or a direct participant in some particularly interesting event or phenomenon. The expert or a moderator introduces the topic and frames some appropriate discussion and then opens the floor for questions, including those that might be somewhat specific as long as they are applicable to more people than the individual questioner.
Panel Discussion
Popularly seen, this format has several people qualified to talk about the subject of the session, preferably from diverse or even counterpoint perspectives or roles. A moderator facilitates questions from the audience or a series of prepared questions for the panelists, but a significant part of the session is still interactive Q&A with the audience.
Presentation
Having already suggested that this traditional one-directional delivery is less popular among the ProductCamp community, there are some exceptional topics and presenters who can make this work. Session proposers are advised to consider this carefully and be honest in citing this format if it is actually what will be delivered.
Town Hall
The leader presents a short (20-30 minute max) informative topic, open-ended question or premise and opens the floor for expansion, comment, questions and general discussion.
Roundtable Breakout
Similar to Town Hall, except that audience breaks out into small groups and typically shares findings, comments, or team responses with the room at the end of the session.
Session Tips
Based on feedback, we’re experimenting with a new way of voting for sessions. All topics will be posted on the wall in the central meeting room.
All sessions will be submitted and voted on by the ProductCamp attendees online.
When building the schedule, we will try our best to avoid scheduling similar sessions during the same time slot.
Sessions will be taken down and organized into the schedule and posted online prior to the event.
On the day of the unconference, you can refer to the online schedule for the selected sessions and the appropriate locations.
What if I don’t have all the answers? A great session doesn’t have to be a lecture. Some of the best sessions are very interactive, group discussions. You don’t have to have all the answers, as long as you have some good questions and can facilitate a lively discussion.
Note: All rooms also contain projectors, whiteboards, and flip charts.
Volunteering for ProductCamp Vancouver
If you’re interested in volunteering for ProductCamp Vancouver, we would love to hear from you!
We have a number of opportunities you can get involved in, especially sponsorship and promotions.