New Media Atlanta is “in the bag” for 2009. We had an amazing good time and learned a ton from the speakers and from each other about how social media has just completely redefined communications and relationships.
We want to thank Chris Brogan for being with us. Chris was in Atlanta for 24 hours – almost exactly. The length of his stay is important to my note here because I was just so completely blown away by who Chris Brogan is – and the schedule matters to that story.
It’s not that I’m unimpressed with his professional accomplishments and his general rockstar status in social media circles. Those things are cool. But, there was something more amazing about Chris. It’s how he treated us the entire time he was here. 24 hours is a long time to be with someone, especially after you’ve been traveling your ass off from city to city, week in and week out, like Chris has. 24 hours is a long time to be “on”.
Chris arrived around 8pm on Thursday night after being in several other cities this week (and several more the previous week). He spent like 2 seconds in the hotel room and then proceeded to spend 2 or 3 hours at a dinner with all of us. Chris was gracious to all. He spoke to and listened to everyone. He was in no hurry to leave. He listened much more than he spoke. He was fully engaged.
On event morning he arrived early (without fanfare). He signed books and talked with seemingly everyone for hours. Chris was gracious to all. He spoke to and listened to everyone. He was in no hurry to leave. He listened much more than he spoke. He was fully engaged.
Then I asked him to say a few words on camera for a film maker who was creating a profile piece for me. That turned into a bit of a hassle. Chris was gracious.
After the video I dragged him through a back hall to the private lunch where about 80 people ALL wanted to have a one on one conversation with him. Chris was gracious to all. He spoke to and listened to everyone. He was in no hurry to leave. He listened much more than he spoke. He was fully engaged.
After lunch, he never left for a break. He never seemed to lose energy or get tired. He hung out a while longer and chatted with more people.
When it came time for him to speak on stage, he took the stage with zero slide deck. Chris blew everyone away for about an hour with no slides, no video, no magic tricks. What came out of Chris was some of the best stuff I’ve ever heard about real engagement, transparency and being truly helpful to others. Everyone wanted more when he was finished.
After the event we had an after party that lasted a few hours. Immediately after that we went out to yet another dinner. It was a smaller, private dinner – but yet Chris still needed to be out with a group of people he’d never met until yesterday. Chris was gracious to all. He spoke to and listened to everyone. He was in no hurry to leave. He listened much more than he spoke.
He was fully engaged the entire 24 hours.
Who can be Chris Brogan? Can you do that? Pretty sure I can’t.
Chris rocks because he’s smokin’ what he’s sellin’ – and it’s good shit!
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Great summary of the event, Matt. I really agree about Chris Brogan being fully engaged with his audience. As I wrote in my brief write-up, I felt that Chris’s talk was the most engaging during the entire conference, not least because he was having a conversation with us all.
Thanks for putting the event together, I really enjoyed it! I am currently working through the photos I captured; I will post a full set in a few days.
I follow Chris, read his information, etc. It has surely helped me grow in the social media and networking aspect of my career. Wish I could have seen his presentation.. Agreed that those who teach and understand the value of their subject matter are those who walk the walk and talk the talk.
Will be watching for a time when I can engage this superstar! Great post on the value of true engagement!
I was able to watch this because of dakno.com video feed. Chris knocked the presentation out of the box, he’s one of the people you just know will always be genuine.
I have learned a lot from reading Chris’ blog and new book, but it adds extra oomph! to his message to hear things like this. Thank you for reminding us that consistency in all formats (not to mention endurance!) is essential for authenticity to work.
Matt: thanks for giving us a glimpse of what Chris is like on the ground. I was introduced to Chris by a longtime friend in Beaverton @JGHitzert on learning the nuts and bolts of social media, business online (we were taking matters into our own hands), and I’ve never been more impressed w/ this guy. Once I called him on his cell and he answered! While he didn’t know me (on the other side of the country), Chris proceeded to advise me about Ning (I had never heard of Ning) and WordPress. Once I subscribed to his blog by email it was game on. He inspired me, a non-techie and political science major, to lead where others aren’t and begin blogging about what I’m passionate about. A remarkable guy– and I’m happy he’s never lost that endurance and love for helping people.