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Clarity

John Wilker

Denver, Colorado

I organize software developer conferences focused on community and mind blowing content. I've been running that business boot strapped since 2007. Our goal is to offer better content than larger events, without costing as much.

I'm board chair and CEO of Denwhere? a non profit organization focused on encouraging and supporting events in Denver that hit on any of these three ideals; Community, Eduction, and Entrepreneurship.

I helped launch a coworking/hackerspace called Uncubed, that has hit profitability in just 9 months.

$1.00/min

John donates to Pencils of Promise ($6.92)

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5 Reviews

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Technology Startups User Experience Community Conferences Inspiration Coordinating Events

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Technology

With Developer events talks have to be technical, and have to be not just about what's hot right now, but what will be hot in 6 months. We try to look at submissions to spot rising starts in the technology as well as speaking space.

Conferences

I've been running conferences since 2007, mostly across the US but also 1 in Europe. We run 400 person events with 2 people.

We don't outsource sponsorship, sales, anything.

I've also run Ignite Events and hackathons.

Community

I am a huge advocate of community building. We make sure the the biggest take away from our events is a sense of community. No one leaves without having met other people.

I'm very active in the Denver startup scene, helping people meet each other and facilitating as best I can a culture of cooperation.

Answers 4
Reviews 5

Answers

John Wilker answered

How do I create a conference concept document?

In my experience it's tricky. I've been burned a few times by the "we totally love it, we're behind you" thing, until you actually need money :)

I'd say a document like that needs to address the following.
Audience (Community the event will serve)
Competition (which other events are out there, maybe a count, maybe their primary location, or size, etc)
If you can figure it out, demographic if likely attendee (I don't know this until after my events or at least after tickets start selling, but you might be able to do a survey)
I think lastly, what's in it for the sponsor? Either your full sponsorship options list, or a description, likely size of attendee pool, email blasts, etc.

Off the top of my head that's what I'd put into something like that, if i was making one

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Event planning

Conferences

Event Management

John Wilker answered

How would you name a technology and innovation conference?

Having learned the hard way, avoid names that tie you to products. Two reasons; 1. the product owner may enforce a copyright if they have it. 2. that product could die, change, etc and you're event is now associated with something you may not want it to be.

My rule of thumb now when naming my events, words/terms that leave it completely open to whatever you need it to be.

our naming convention is 360|Blah. one word. Ideally a word that applies to the theme, but isn't part of it, if that makes sense.

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Naming

Branding & Identity

Creative Branding

John Wilker answered

What should I buy to extend the wifi in my house? Some kind of extender?

I know the Firedog routers, have an extender device that's explicitly for extending. Apple Airport Expresses have an "extend" mode as well.

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Technology

WiFi

John Wilker answered

I have the following types of sponsorships for a conference I'm organizing: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and need a package bigger than Platinum.

Two choices. Stick with metal and go to whatever is the next most precious :) or if this is a one co. only spot, I've done:

Partner and Title. Both sound more exclusive (IMO) to just another metal, LOL.

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Conferences

Event planning

Reviews

John is a very smart and driven developer. Excellent communication skills and dedicated to getting the job done.

Marc Bir Source: LinkedIn

John would be an asset for any company to acquire. His database skills and ColdFusion knowledge are among the best. He has good communication skills and is pleasant to work with. I would recommend John for his attention to detail, and efficiency for delivering finished products on time.

Greg Cadmes Source: LinkedIn

John's community leadership in the Flex community is clearly demonstrated by the 360|Conferences events he organizes. The 360|Flex events are some of the best, if not the best, events to attend in the Flex community. 360|Conferences brings in the best speakers in the industry to create fun, engaging events for everyone that attends.

Adam Flater Source: LinkedIn

John Wilker does a superb job of organizing and running one of the best series of conferences. 360 Conferences provides excellent seminars at an economical rate.

John Wilker is also very gracious, and on a number of occasions he and 360 Conferences went the extra mile to graciously accommodate my family.

A thank you, and a hearty recommendation on John's services. If someone is looking to start a conference on a topic, they'd do well to hire John as a consultant on both running a conference, and being an upright businessman.

Jason Epperson Source: LinkedIn

Worked with John on numerous freelance assignments and found him to be a good writer. And he knows what a deadline is, which can be unusual for some freelancers :-)

Rex Baldazo Source: LinkedIn

Member since May 2012