Some testimonials about Adrian Segar’s conferences, facilitation, designs, and writing provided by participants, clients, and fans over the last 16 years:
Conferences That Work is one of the best books ever written on new generation of organising meetings and conferences. It is brilliant, very well organised and easy to read as well as being really enjoyable. This book, not only helped me during my studies, but also is helping me for my professional life to organise better events. I cannot wait to prove anyone who still would like to stick to traditional conferences that they need to adapt to the changes and innovate.Hulya Ceren
amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1601459920/novelrank-21#customerReviews
amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1601459920/novelrank-21#customerReviews
So, what is it I really like about this conference?
—— It's a peer conference. No one is trying to sell me stuff I don't need, but rather people share what they are interested in…
—— The organizers Credo. The conference is stating very clear values, and their actions are true to their words. If I have to try to put my own words to the main principles that guide this conference…it would be something like this:
1. This conference is about conferring. Meeting people who take interest in testing and getting a chance to talk with them. Yep, it's not only about the speakers, it's about listening to everyone who attends.
2. This conference is as diverse and inclusive as the organizers can make it, and this means there are a ton of different experiences around. And they can do quite a lot.
3. They are here to change the conference world…The short version - They see speakers as partners and try to make sure speakers don't have to pay to speak. The really cool thing? They also help speakers who can't afford speaking in other conferences.
—— They learn and experiment. I thought they had it all nailed down the first time - Everything was great, and so well organized. I was amazed. Next year, There were several new experiments - speed meeting was one of them (I didn't like it much, others did - quite a lot). I really want to know what they are planning for this year.
—— They listen - By the end of each conference day, they did a retrospective. They took the feedback in and worked to improve. For instance, following the feedback from last year, workshops will be given twice. They also go an extra mile to collect feedback - last year they had people with an app standing at the exits just asking for a goodbadneutral feedback on the talk.
—— They stress audience participation. I mentioned it once already, but it is such a huge thing in the conference I think it deserves a bullet of its own. Even if you are not a speaker, there will be place for you to share your ideas and what excites or worries or interests you - we had lightning talks, lean coffee and open space - all dedicated to letting the participants to find their own voice.
—— They care. A lot. I can't really pinpoint this to one specific behavior, but every choice I could see shows great care for the people involved.Amit
always-fearful.blogspot.com/2017/08/early-bird.html
—— It's a peer conference. No one is trying to sell me stuff I don't need, but rather people share what they are interested in…
—— The organizers Credo. The conference is stating very clear values, and their actions are true to their words. If I have to try to put my own words to the main principles that guide this conference…it would be something like this:
1. This conference is about conferring. Meeting people who take interest in testing and getting a chance to talk with them. Yep, it's not only about the speakers, it's about listening to everyone who attends.
2. This conference is as diverse and inclusive as the organizers can make it, and this means there are a ton of different experiences around. And they can do quite a lot.
3. They are here to change the conference world…The short version - They see speakers as partners and try to make sure speakers don't have to pay to speak. The really cool thing? They also help speakers who can't afford speaking in other conferences.
—— They learn and experiment. I thought they had it all nailed down the first time - Everything was great, and so well organized. I was amazed. Next year, There were several new experiments - speed meeting was one of them (I didn't like it much, others did - quite a lot). I really want to know what they are planning for this year.
—— They listen - By the end of each conference day, they did a retrospective. They took the feedback in and worked to improve. For instance, following the feedback from last year, workshops will be given twice. They also go an extra mile to collect feedback - last year they had people with an app standing at the exits just asking for a goodbadneutral feedback on the talk.
—— They stress audience participation. I mentioned it once already, but it is such a huge thing in the conference I think it deserves a bullet of its own. Even if you are not a speaker, there will be place for you to share your ideas and what excites or worries or interests you - we had lightning talks, lean coffee and open space - all dedicated to letting the participants to find their own voice.
—— They care. A lot. I can't really pinpoint this to one specific behavior, but every choice I could see shows great care for the people involved.Amit
always-fearful.blogspot.com/2017/08/early-bird.html
It was _their_ meeting; session topics weren't foisted on the attendees.Conference stakeholder
Verbal comment during post-conference debrief
Verbal comment during post-conference debrief
"Conferences That Work," is the most useful, thought-provoking, thorough thing I've read all year. Highly recommended for anyone out there who shares my undoubtedly crazy desire to host events. Thank you, Mr. Segar!Annie P. Ruggles
twitter.com/anniepreneur/status/1019234138296078336
twitter.com/anniepreneur/status/1019234138296078336
I've been sending e-mails to clients apologizing for NOT coming by their offices and taking them to Adrian's presentation. I am so ashamed! I kept THEM from experiencing one of the most productive and informative workshops I have ever attended. It was great networking too!Kevin Priger
Participant in Adrian's workshop "Conferences that Work: Transform Your Sessions with Participation Techniques"
Participant in Adrian's workshop "Conferences that Work: Transform Your Sessions with Participation Techniques"