Make Startup Conferences Great Again
There are some great conferences out there (looking at you MicroConf!). The great conferences are a very easy choice for me each year because I know the calibre of people that will be there and I have made some awesome connections in the past.
However, many of them now seem to be focused on the organization that is running the conference. It's easy to see through the panels and the highlights of specific things they did. I feel like I'm watching people pat themselves on the back the entire time. I've also been to events that were focused on investors, entrepreneurial support organizations, and everything but the actual Startups...
To me, conferences are an opportunity for people to get together. To make connections that last a lifetime and to connect with others in similar spaces.
So I'm curious:
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What has been the best conference / summit / entrepreneurial event you've been to and why?
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What's the most memorable talk / panel / workshop you've ever been too?
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If you don't go to these types of events, why not?
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What would make an awesome startup conference experience that you would attend?
The best conference I've been to was Microconf, primarily due to the quality of the talks and the people I met.
My most memorable talk I went to was when a presenter at Microconf did a case study on how he increased his MRR by over $200K an a few months by using a ebook, retargeting ads, and a web inarticulate campaign.
The main reason I don't go to these kind of events is because I tend not to get anything valuable. I don't want to go to events and not learn anything.
If there was a conference for early stage startups that had talks/workshops on the nitty gritty details of copywriting to sell, SAAS contracts dos and don'ts, case studies from other startups on what worked and didn't work, and so on. I don't want a talks on how you must have grit & perseverance or why [insert city/state] is an amazing place to do business. We go to events to find solutions to problems we're currently having or better ways of doing something so we can grow our business. High quality events lead to attracting high quality people and meeting high quality people is worth more than anything.
Haven't been to any startup conferences in the last few years but I've been to a lot for the 10 years or so prior and keen to get back into them. Generally I skip the talks and just chat to people so my favourite talks are the informal discussions you have with people 1:1 or in small groups. The best events are well setup for networking. Favourite event is the US is https://www.saastr.com/ and https://thesunrise.co/ in Australia.
I’ve heard good things about Sasstr! When you say it’s really well setup for networking, what do you mean? I agree and have always felt it was up to me to network.
Things that help networking:
Totally agree. I also like it when there is a hallway track / lounge feel for people to hang out and meet!
3a. There's not many in Melbourne Australia! The ones I've seen are all about VC's (Perhaps I just haven't found them and they are out there - help me out!)
3b. I really want to attend online - but they are in US time which ends up being like 3 or 4am Aust Eastern standard time :( I'm keen - but not that keen.
Do any of them offer videos to watch after the event? Like a post video only ticket? Microconf did this during 2020.
I was going to mention something about that. Yes they do - but I find that I just don't "find the time" to go back and watch the videos (probably just me!)
I’ve been there! I still have videos and links I’ve never watched. I’m not a fan for online conferences for the same reason too. I have trouble “being at” the conference.
Nothing better than being in person. I think also because you've taken yourself out of your own space, perhaps staying in a hotel and you're focused on the content. In person feels very intentional.