Important Announcement: BarcampSWFL Leadership Meetup 2014

Hello Southwest Florida Barcampers!

It's that time of year again as we bid farewell to 2013 and embark on an exciting new year ahead - Barcamp Southwest Florida 2014.

Two weeks from today BarcampSWFL leadership will come together to make 2014 our best year ever. We're welcoming new members, new leadership, and a new way of doing things with one single goal in mind; to serve our community in the best way possible while remaining steadfast in our vision with positive aligned goals and forward motion.

We’re inviting you to join us on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 as we recap on the past year, announce leadership for Barcamp Southwest Florida, and set the date for the 2014 unConference.

If you would like to be involved in any way - a special initiative, monthly planning or the unconference, please do join us for the meeting and take part in the 2014 launch.

Other topics will include:

BarcampSWFL Co-organizer Designations
JuniorCamp Teacher Leadership
After-Hours Meetups
Monthly Lunch and Learn Sessions
Online Professional Directory
Guest Blogger Opportunities
Community Outreach
Community Partnerships
Guest Speakers

In 2009, Homer Gaines and I first spoke about bringing Barcamp to Southwest Florida. Things were quite a bit different five years ago. Not only did we need to explain that barcamp was not a "Bar Camp", but more difficult to introduce something that was described as a self-organized user generated unconference that was facilitated only by an open-grid format.

How could we help people understand what was happening in large cities around the world? We took a chance and did it anyway.

This past year I've quietly contemplated the future of tech, startups, and entrepreneurship in relationship to Southwest Florida and how BarcampSWFL can facilitate the necessary conversations to advance higher thinking and provoke change that will make a lasting impact on our region.

To become the glue that binds together various local independent initiatives, professional groups and organizations who focus on innovation, tech, startups and entrepreneurship.

More importantly, to provide support to local tech professionals to advance their learning, create valuable connections and provide the resources that will help them advance their career and entrepreneurship goals.

Now more than ever, Southwest Florida is ready for us!

Like no other conference, Barcamp was born to bring together tech professionals, innovators, and creatives to share what they know in an open-sharing, peer-to-peer, co-learning environment.

Barcamp isn't just another networking group, nor is it a traditional conference. Its symbol is recognized worldwide and carries universal significance - a symbol of sharing, listening and helping one another become better. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BarCamp

I’m proud to be part of the Barcamp community. I feel fortunate to have made lifelong professional and personal relationships by participating at our sister Barcamps that take place each year throughout Florida.

The genuine collaboration and shared knowledge you’ll find and experience at a barcamp is invaluable; the sharing and collaboration is real and relationships are everlasting.

I hope you’ll join us!

Michele