I have been totally remiss in blogging post BEA, which seems like it was just last week but it is nearly 2 months since BEA 2012 ended. It has been unbelievably busy post BEA with budgets, planning for 2013 and LOTS of meetings. One of the things that has been an important agenda item is planned changes for the BEA Bloggers Conference (BBC) in 2013.
We know the BBC in 2012 was not perfect and we had a stumble or two along the way, but feedback has been extremely positive and encouraging. Based on the feedback we got from '12, we will make a number of changes for '13 to make the BBC the best event possible.
We know the BBC in 2012 was not perfect and we had a stumble or two along the way, but feedback has been extremely positive and encouraging. Based on the feedback we got from '12, we will make a number of changes for '13 to make the BBC the best event possible.
- The BBC will form an advisory committee made up exclusively of book bloggers to oversee the conference content. We have gotten a number of great suggestions with our intent of wanting a variety of blogging genres represented from YA, Fiction, Adult, Children's, etc.... The objective is so the BBC's content is relevant and valuable for book bloggers.
- Any key notes must be blogger-centric - not there was anything wrong with the key notes from this past year, but they could have easily been on a BEA program vs. speaking to bloggers.
- Make the registration process simple. There are so many needs and moving parts, this is actually incredibly hard, but we recognize the registration process and the changes last year we implemented along the way made for a horrible experience and there is no excuse for that - we have to make this simple and easy.
Look for an update in early Fall when we announce the date Reg will be going live and the roster of bloggers that will make up the BBC Advisory Committee. We thank EVERYONE that participated in the 2012 BBC and especially those that took the time to share their insights. We value you opinion and we will make changes to make this a better event for you.
I love the idea of an advisory committee. Looking forward to what BEA Bloggers '13 brings!
ReplyDeleteThese look like good suggestions. An advisory committee is (a) only as good as its members, and (b) only as useful as its allowed to be. I hope the advisory committee is careful chosen, given its charter early, and actually heard.
ReplyDeleteThank you for listening to feedback from this year's attendees.
Thanks for the reply - we have solicited recommendations from a number of bloggers and then taken the recommendations and forwarded them onto other bloggers who participated in the panels or might have been critical of our efforts but fair to cull a strong list that is representative of the best of book blogging and diverse in reading interests. We use a conference advisory committee on BEA and agree, unless they are empowered to make decisions, what is the point. This committee will be shaping the content because they know more than we do about what is important to this community.
DeletePlease don't have auto sound on your website, what if I was opening this at work
ReplyDeleteI removed the BEA Player - it was great when it had the live content from BEA, but got annoying and we are now pushing the content through our revamped www.bookbliss.com site. Thanks for the suggestion.
DeleteAn advisory committee sounds like a good idea. I'm also looking forward to more diversity in genres; this year seemed very tilted toward YA.
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone in voicing that comment about YA. It has been one of the bright spots in publishing which maybe caused us subconsciously to lean too heavy towards YA, but this was hear loud and clear.
DeleteI also think an advisory committee sounds great - I can't wait to attend next year!
ReplyDeleteTracee Gleichner
VP Pump Up Your Book
I hope there will be some poetry represented...on a panel or in discussion. Publishers already give it short shrift and I don't think bloggers should follow their lead.
ReplyDeleteHi Serena:
DeleteWe plan to have the committee in place by early September, providing them with what they will be charged with and then being able to announce who is on the committee and providing a means for anyone to be able to submit panel suggestions. That may be as simple as Twitter or Facebook, but it will likely be an on-line form. We want transparency here, but have have to make it simple too (as well as for us to implement). Thanks for your interest and comments, I hope we are able to impress you later.
I thought I would share my post about what a bloggers conference should look like with you. Here is my blog post: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2012/08/what-would-entice-me-to-attend-bea-bloggers-conference-2013.html
ReplyDeleteFeel free to pass it along to any interested parties.