This week I’ll be at the 2011 Nonprofit Technology Conference, where a record crowd of nearly 2,000 will discuss how nonprofits can optimize their online strategy. Below are some sessions which look particularly interesting:
- Stop Chasing Rainbows: Enduring Success In a Shifting Online Landscape (Fri 3/18, 10:30 – 12 Noon) - Jascha Franklin-Hodge will review how we can integrate social media, location based services and mobile to engage supporters
- E-mail Design Workshop – Don’t Let Bad E-mail Code Ruin Your Day or Your Results (Fri, 3/18, 3:30 – 5 PM) – email is still the primary way to communicate with stakeholders, and Shana Masterson and Sean Powell will discuss how we can get the best results
- Sneak Peek at the Third-Annual Nonprofit Social Network Benchmark Report (Fri, 3/18, 3:30 – 5 PM) – I helped prepare last year’s report, which is sponsored by Nten, Common Knowledge and Blackbaud. Even if you can’t attend this preview, you’ll be able to download the report soon and attend follow up events to discuss its findings.
- It’s Not Direct Marketing If You Can’t Track It! Analyzing the Social Web (Sat, 3/19, 10:30 – 12 Noon) – Social media can be fun to participate in, but you have to be able to show your management how it’s helping. Brenna Holmes will offer some tips.
- 2011 eNonprofit Benchmarks Study Release (Sat 3/19, 1:30 – 3 PM) – Nten & M&R Strategic Services‘ annual study looks at online messaging, fundraising, and advocacy data from 36 nonprofit organizations; you’ll be able to download this report too, but it’s fascinating to hear the analysis
The biggest problem you’ll probably have at the event is deciding which session to attend – since this is the largest NTC ever, there are even more choices this year. In addition to these tips from Yesenia Soleto, don’t deliberate too much about what to pick. But I’ve found that you can quickly get a feel in the first 15 minutes whether a session is matching your expectations; if not, feel free to go elsewhere. And don’t fret if your first choice is overcrowded and you need to select an alternate session; this happened to me last year and the ‘other’ presentation turned out to be fascinating. Also consider which sessions will be recorded or covered later through follow-up webinars.
If you’re in town early or staying after the conference, consider visiting the US Holocaust Memorial Museum (I’ll be there Wednesday) or attending Penguin Day to learn more about open source software.
Can’t attend the conference in person? You still still participate through the Online NTC.
Don’t forget to thank Holly and her staff for putting this event together. They work hard year round to make this a special experience for all of us. Hope to see you later this week in DC.
