Herding Code 147 – Jakob Bradford on Organizing NDC Oslo

While at NDC 2012 in Oslo, Jon and K. Scott talked to Jakob Bradford about how the event was organized.

Download / Listen:

Herding Code 147 – Jakob Bradford on Organizing NDC Oslo [audio://herdingcode.com/wp-content/uploads/HerdingCode-0147-Jakob-Bradford.mp3]

Show Notes:

Jon asks how NDC got started and how it’s grown.
K. Scott says that other conferences feel like they’re organized to solve organizers’ problems, while NDC is organized around the attendee experience. Jakob says that’s very intentional.
Jon asks how they balance a big conference feel (as NDC continues to grow) while maintaining a personal feel.
K. Scott asks for an inside scoop – what were the biggest disasters, or almost disasters? Answer: volcanoes!
Jon talks about how much he likes the Overflow (a.k.a. ADD room) and asks how that got started. Jakob said that’s how conferences are done in Norway.
K. Scott asks about Aral’s keynote, which began with a musical number.
Jon asks about how they select speakers and content.
Jon asks about the pre-conference workshops (in the tallest building in Norway!)
The entire conference is recorded, available on Vimeo. Jakob says that’s how they get most of their attendees – "Watch the videos a couple years… you will come!"

Show Links:

The NDC Overflow room: