Press Release: Barcamp Planning begins

This release was written for BarcampMilwaukee2

For immediate release
Photos and other media available

Media Contact: Gabe Wollenburg
gwwollenburg@gmail.com
(262)244-7537

Milwaukee's Tech-elite to gather again
Teaching and learning brings geeks together

Milwaukee -- The best and brightest of the Milwaukee region's tech community will be part of Milwaukee's second "BarCamp." BarCamp Milwaukee is a 24-hour ad-hoc gathering focused on technology and creativity. The event will take place on October 13 and 14, 2007 at the Schlitz Park Center, 1555 Rivercenter Drive, Milwaukee.
"Milwaukee has a burgeoning tech community evidenced by the diversity of people and topics represented by BarCamp," said Elias Holman, one of the young professionals helping to put together the followup to last year's tech-oriented expo.
"We accomplished so much last year and we expect to draw three times as many people in 2007," said Holman. BarCamps are dubbed "unconferences" by the technorati who make up their typical attendance because of their highly informal nature.
"BarCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction between Milwaukee's technological movers and shakers," said Pete Prodoehl, a programmer from Oconomowoc and one of the creative forces behind Milwaukee BarCamp. "It's also a lot of fun."
At a BarCamp, Prodoehl said, people get their heads together over common interests with the goal of improving the way they think, work, and play.
Those interests are usually technical in nature. A quick glance at the list of sessions offered at the BarCamp 2006 conference shows a smattering of computer and programming themed topics, including open-source software, podcasting, and computer programming, but there are other heady topics on the agenda that inspire a wide range of discussions. One session spent an hour looking at Democracy in Ancient Greece. Another session put attendees behind the wheels of a fighting robot. Still other sessions let attendees wrap their brains around ways to "Not Think in order to Succeed."
"Just about anything goes at a Bar Camp. It's informal, it's fun, and it's a great way to learn, create, and improve yourself," said Mike Rohde, a professional designer and another one of the forces behind Milwaukee's BarCamp.
For more information and to sign up, look to www.barcampmilwaukee.com, or contact Gabe Wollenburg at (262)244-7537 or send email to gwollenburg@gmail.com.
BarCamp organizers are currently looking for sponsorships for the October event. For sponsorship information or to make a donation, contact Pete Prodoehl by sending email to pete@2xlnetworks.com, or call (262) 490-4531.