Last week, I traveled to the unseasonably-warm Redwood City, CA for CMX Summit, which is a gathering of community professionals across industries (but let’s face it: mostly tech) to do what they do best: connect. Sure, there are sessions where experts share their learnings and an exhibitor tent where vendors sling their solutions (and swag) while keeping you hydrated and caffeinated, but the main purpose of the event is to connect.
And connect I did.
I went to the pre-conference happy hour; I went to a lunch break crafty hour and started a friendship bracelet over Mediterranean food and conversation; I co-hosted a invite-only happy hour with my colleagues at Meetup. I walked up to people standing by themselves; I walked up to groups of folks in the middle of conversations; I talked to people about running, Mariah Carey, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, acrylic earrings, gardening, peeing in the woods, and so much more. I went into full extrovert mode.
Two things struck me about this conference. The first was how easy it was to talk to people. I have been to a lot of conferences and networking events, and it can be really hard to catch someone’s eye, strike up a conversation, or politely insert yourself into an existing conversation. Not at this event. Because everyone’s a community person, we were all looking for and open to whatever tactic made a connection, even if it would seem jarring at a more buttoned-up event.
The second was about the content of the conversations and sessions. Specifically, letting go of a focus on your self to focus on your community. Some community managers do enjoy some level of celebrity, but the real star is the community as a whole (though I did feel that this message was a little discordant with some of the fanfare around certain speakers). This theme was especially timely since, on the flight over, I watched Joy Ride, which has a poignant scene about Eastern societies focusing on community over the individual. (It was probably the raunchiest movie to ever make me tear up.)
And while the summit was well-run, it was the attendees who really made it special. The theme was Shine, which I’m interpreting as a disco ball because it reflects light from all around it out in multiple directions, rather than being the source of light itself. And I think that’s what building and nurturing community is all about.
It was good to see you. Yes ! Your were the first one I talked to and found you very friendly and social. Thanks for for sharing information about meetup, it was short be very informative.
Stay safe
Habibi