Conferences, and how not to work them

Posted on August 20, 2007
Filed Under Journey to Journalism |

So I was at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival last week as a member of the press, not knowing what to expect and nervous as hell I tried to keep a rough diary of my impressions and general feelings over the two days. Of course I had better things to spend my time doing so kind of gave up near the end of the first day. Here, for your perusal is some of what I learned…As is normal in these situations I arrived early, the new boy always does. I didn’t know how long it would take to get into the city and find somewhere to park on a Monday morning. As it was I managed with plenty of time to spare and after getting a coffee at Starbucks (standing in line behind Rhona Cameron, obviously in Monday morning mode so I didn’t bother her) and sitting in to drink it I found that I still had plenty of time. I went to the venue anyway, and registered. They spelt my name wrong on the press pass, it often happens so I didn’t let it bother me.

As I sat in the coffee area provided, sipping an orange juice, I got the distinct feeling that I was overdressed in my suit (with a t-shirt, not shirt and tie). The various delegates, speakers and press came in in drips and drabs. The press were easy to spot, they were the ones hunting for somewhere to plug their laptops in. I’d left mine in the car, my first mistake, not to be made again, and so was left with my dictaphone and notepad as my only way of taking notes.

The feeling that this was my first day at a new job was quite distinct. People seemed to know other people here, of course the speakers and delegates would know quite a few people, its the industry they work in after all. The journos knew quite a few people too. I was all on my own, it was quite daunting. I got over it though. The first couple of presentations went without a hitch and I got copious (unreadable) notes from both.

To be honest though the content wasn’t quite what I was expecting. The EIF claims to be the only cultural festival for videogames, I didn’t see an awful lot of culture, what I did see was business. Many of the presentations were about how to exploit non-videogame culture for profit. Sony’s Singstar and Home on the PS3 are hoping to cash in on the surge in interest in downloadable music and things like Second Life. So the focus was definitely outside the videogames industry and what the industry can do to make money from it. Some of the stuff about virtual societies was quite interesting, but the subject of censorship and getting games accepted as an art form was not discussed as much as I thought it would be.

The second day was really busy and I spent it hopping between presentations and game screenings, so didn’t have much of a chance to think about what was happening, I may have made an appearance as a vox pop on Sky but as I don’t get Sky I’ll never know. I did a little spiel in answer to a question about Second Life put to me by a journalist and trainee that didn’t have much of a clue about videogames, they were quite nice though. I can’t even remember what I said.

All in all I had a good time and know what I should be doing for next time out, which, if I can afford it, should be Game City in Nottingham in October. That’s a four day affair and will involve a lot of work, though now I know what to expect it shouldn’t come as much of a shock.

A couple of things to remember for next time:

Sort out internet access so you can post from absolutely anywhere, if there’s wi-fi use it, if not use your mobile, or if available a hard line.
Take notes with your laptop. I can’t read my own handwriting and the dictaphone works well in a one on one situation but not in a lecture hall when you’re sitting right at the back. Doing this will also improve your typing speed
Don’t try too hard to fit in, be yourself and if people want to talk to you they will. Also don’t be afraid to talk to complete strangers, that’s what you’re there for after all.
No more than two beers at any evening engagements.

Keeping these in mind should mean I can actually produce a greater volume of posts during the conference rather than in fits and starts afterwards. Another thing to remember is to be prepared for a cold or other viral ailment, all those people from different places in close proximity spreading their unknown strains of various illnesses around almost guarantees one. I had one when I got back and have been feeling rotten since Wednesday.

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