Enlarge Lyell Petersen (left) prepares for “How to Destroy Your Small Business in 5 Easy Steps on Twitter."

Posted: October 21st, 2009 Andria Krewson

Computer geeks, media types and artists gathered at the second Barcamp Charlotte at Area Fifteen on a recent chilly October Saturday to learn from each other.

A “barcamp” is an unconference, or a meeting with most organization done democratically on the day of the event, generally with free admission and speakers drawn from the pool of those who attend. Charlotte’s camp was billed as a technology and media unconference, and was organized by Phillip Dodds, Justin Ruckman and a large crew of volunteers.

Carlos Espin provided the venue, at Area 15, a Charlotte art movement working through a small business incubator at North Davidson and 15th streets.

At BarCamp Charlotte, attendees pitched sessions to others in the morning, voted on which sessions would be on the schedule, and then repeated the process after lunch, provided free by sponsors and cooked and assembled by volunteers.

“Bar Camp gives everyone the chance to decide for themselves how much or how little they want to take away from the day,” said Wendy Wells, president of Wendy Wells Writing and Editing. She pitched a session idea on how new Federal Trade Commission rules affect bloggers.

“I am looking forward to the next Bar Camp event and plan to not only pitch again, but I'll have a full presentation prepared on at least one or two topics,” she said in an email exchange after the conference. “The ideas exchange and new knowledge osmosis process really happens best for me when I step up in more than a passive participant role.”

The night before, many people attended the pre-party at the roofless building, a sort of annex of Area 15 at Parkwood Avenue and Pegram Street, with a fire dancer, snacks, coffee and an art show.

Sessions on Saturday included how to make more money on the internet, the development of applications for iPhones and balloon sculpture (followed by an “attack” of balloon-wielding marauders).

Phillip Dodds, one of the organizers, also took time during the conference to introduce the tenants of Area 15. After introductions, one tenant, Jared Nicholson, an artist who creates fantastic designs for cars, bars and private residences, pitched a session, called “Down the Rabbit Hole,” to inspire creativity. The session was voted in to the schedule.

“This day brought together technology experts, marketing professionals, and creative folks in a way that doesn't usually take place in the average social media conference setting,” Wells said. “This was a ‘no ties required’ sort of day that never would have come about had it been held in an Uptown hotel's banquet room.”

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