Even with the rain and cloudy skies, it’s a magnificent view (pictured).
This was my view of Sydney harbour from the CCN Live conference venue at Darling Island Wharf.
It’s where I sat at the end of the day pondering the mechanics of CCN Live, relieved that all the event logistics came together.
Naturally I was pleased, our very first CCN Live event was a success. But sitting there I realised that my world view had shifted.
In hindsight I could see that all my big ideas about what makes a conference great had been a little off track.
In the lead up to the event I found myself obsessing about the program, the presentations, the venue, everything but the one special ingredient that really made the conference sizzle. It was you, the audience, that provided the real spark at CCN Live.
The audience engagement is what made the day so memorable. Now I know how it works.
Bring a group of dedicated professionals together and ask them to discuss a subject they are passionate about and magic happens.
It was incredibly motivating to be around people that genuinely care about the industry’s future, plus everyone willingly shared their knowledge and experience.
It was inspiring to witness.
It’s an informative read but obviously doesn’t compare to being there on the day.
For those that missed out we will see you next year at CCN Live 2014.
I am confident it will be even bigger and better. As well as the audience participation at CCN Live I should acknowledge the presence of a few ghosts from the past.
Conference speaker Michael McCann pointed out that the conference was held on the very same waterway where Australia’s first commercial refrigeration shipment departed for the United Kingdom.
“We are about 100 metres away from where the shipment left in the 1870s,” he said.
Unfortunately by the time the meat arrived it was dog food but it was the beginning of an industry that is still growing today.