Podcamp? What is that?

Last weekend I had the pleasure working with some really great social media gurus. This was my second year there and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

What is PodcampAZ? or even what is Podcamp? It is the gathering of people that see social media as the next marketing tool, social event, or with me just a place to hang out and meet different people from around the United States that are also involved in Social Media.

This year Arizona's own Podcamp was held in Phoenix at UAT(University of Advanced Technology). I have to say UAT is the perfect environment. You take 400 people and scatter them into classrooms where others who are considered the top of social media actually lead discussions into the unknown world of social media. I say unknown because there are so many aspects that I don't even know where to begin.

Podcamp's are called unconference because if you don't feel you are learning something you can get up and go to another session. Some of the subjects where about citizen journalist, led by Allvoices very own Kathy Jacobs. I like the title of one session lead by Evo Terra, Five Reasons your Podcast Sucks on iTunes. I don't have a podcast so I don't have to worry about how bad mine is.

This year I volunteered to help out. I came out of my shell. I usually stay at home wishing something was going on. Not there, people won't let you be a wallflower. I had people talking to me just as much as I was talking to them about things that interested us.

PodcampAZ is a free event. And we are working to make 2009 a free conference again. To raise money we do sell T-shirts and accept donations. Next year you should be there with us. It was the best two days I've ever had and one of the best networking tools for anyone involved in social media.

To find out more or to donate their website is podcampaz.org