Kingpin: Interview With Kiko Doran
Question 1: What's like to run an event?
The process of organizing a conference is lot of work but it's completely worthwhile. It takes months of planning and plan an event that's only two days in length. It's a blessing that I am part of a great team that is capable of pulling this event together.
Q2: Was there any aspect of organizing a conference that has amazed you?
However many hours of planning you do or the backup plans you have put on the table, something will occur that you can't manage. You just have to roll with the punches and move on. Lucky for me, I was able to master this skill when I was making plans for WordCamps Minneapolis 2013 and 2014.
Q3: How will your Prestige conference differentiate itself against other conferences in the WordPress market?
The main difference between us is that Prestige is entirely focused on the running of your business. The advice I give to speakers when we are planning our session topics is "Give an older, 5 years younger you some suggestions for your business." Everyone is good in certain areas but less so in other areas. Prestige is here to give the methods to aid to help grow your company. Also, we design the most attractive swag around!
4. What should you look for in a city when making a decision to host a conference?
In deciding on a city we consider a variety of factors. We like cities that have an amazing tech-related community, and also have plenty of things to do within walking distance of the venue/hotels. There is a cost for travel and transportation to conferences, so we'd like to ensure that attendees enjoy themselves during their leisure time. Some of us on the planning team are avid baseball fans. If we are able to catch games leading up to the event, we love the city more!
Q5: How do conference work in comparison with the way they operate now?
It's becoming a common practice for conferences to simply bringing together speakers. There's not a rhyme or reason to your selections and you might even have two of the same or similar talks back to back at the same conference. The event should be planned spending time getting to know what your speakers are interested in and assisting in creating a plan that's "in the same line." This all promotes the presentation to be well-rounded and likely to make connections at least one way with the audience.
Question 6: In the event that you were your most trusted friend were to begin a conference, what advice do you provide them?
Don't do it! Haha! With all joking aside ensure that you are getting enough support in order to make it successful the first time. Remember that you have three distinct perspectives to make your event an success. You must create an unforgettable impression for guests, speakers, as well as the attendees. You'll succeed in putting on a great event.
Q7 Your opinion: what will conferences look like in 2030?
We're headed toward more virtual conferences. Although it's wonderful to be able communicate with others all over the world, you miss out on the in person networking which happens during live gatherings. I've had countless people thank me for the information that they've gained from attending the first three Prestige Conferences. Each one mentions the free sharing of information among "should be competitors." Profit from having the opportunity to speak to the brilliant minds of business in a relaxed setting!
Q8: What do you think of the initial WordCamp US in Philadelphia?
WordCamp US was amazing! I'm not surprised that the planning team did such an amazing job. Philadelphia is always one of my favorite camps. In my opinion, they should just leave it at Philadelphia every year. The convention center has lots of space to expand to fit. We should move it to an edgier time of the year and leave it there! Philly!
Q9: How do you have been working using WordPress and what has piqued your curiosity?
Q10: If you were the administrator of hosting the own WordPress program, which changes would you make?
The train has gone off the tracks. I thought we were discussing conference... Let's keep this to conferences as my reply. I'd like to change the way the fact that WordCamps are governed by the foundation of a non-profit organization. I'd like to see it operate by an "for-profit" company. I think that change will have a domino impact in helping us to overcome the many hurdles currently in place. One example... The benefits of sponsors do not exist in the case of donating funds to help WordCamps under the current structure. The WordCamps should have the ability to advertise the companies that help us to put on the amazing events centered in the name of WordPress. It's possible to go on, but I think this would merit its own set 10 questions.
In addition, I'd advise everyone to go to PrestigeConf.com on Wednesday, February 17th at 9am Pacific time for our super early discount tickets. There are only 25 tickets available and they'll be gone quickly!
Brian Jackson
Brian is a passionate user for WordPress and has been using it for over a decade and is the author of a couple of premium plugins. Brian loves to write, watch movies and hikes. Follow Brian on Twitter.