Barnstorming
SteveOk, I know what you are saying, enough about HRevolution already.
It seems like this event has been reviewed, analyzed, critiqued, and deconstructed about as much as the Zapruder film.
For those of us on the organizing committee we are placed in the position of what, where, how, and when (and certainly if) this event, or similar events should continue. As Jason Seiden observes, correctly I think, that there is an excitement and interest level in this event, that at times that seems disproportional to the the real size and influence of the event itself.
Maybe it is just the sound of my ears ringing from all the blog posts, tweets, and internet radio shows rattling around in the echo chamber.
I wonder if we should take the event on the road, like in an old-fashioned barnstorming tour, hitting up five cities in a week to see if the message, format, vibe, energy, etc. that was HRevolution 2010 actually has meaning and relevance outside our bubble. 
Can I be Richard Pryor?
I am actually (sort of) serious. Load up a camper or a van, start in St. Cloud or Fargo or Omaha, pick an end point like St. Louis or Cincinnati, stop in a different city each day and conduct half day or full day, HRevolution 'participatory' mini-conference. So instead of the typical local event for HR pros that can often focus on legal, compliance, and more 'practical' topics, we drop in with some of the HRev topics like influence, employer brand, technology, networking, or what ever is important to that community.
Note: I am thinking we need to move from the 'Unconference' term if we ever do want to break out of the echo chamber. If you don't believe me, check this poll of SmartBrief on Workforce readers.
Taking the HRevolution out on the road might be the best way to try and directly reach some of the 95% of the working HR professionals that have no clue what all this fuss is about, get better connected to the real issues facing these practitioners, and perhaps ground those of us inside the echo chamber.
Or it could be just an excuse to rent a camper or an RV and go on a little bit of a midwestern or southeastern roadie for a week this summer. I have made many of the same arguments before with my family, just substituting 'attending minor league baseball games' with 'conducting HRevolution-style sessions with local HR professionals'.
So what do you think? Anyone want to get on the bus this summer? Anyone out there want to host and help us rally the local HR community where you live?
Or is this more or less crazy?
Reader Comments (20)
An excellent idea Steve! New York would definitely welcome the HRevolution road show. I think the idea of smaller and local events under the HRevolution banner would promote more action and less talk amongst participants.
Steve -
Let me know if you what to come to the 'ham - or ATL. I'll help you either way...
KD
I for one, LOVE the event. My focus is always to find something good in the time spent. It was terrific for me. But if you go on the road put GR on the map. Or Oscoda. We could have a small, unconference on the white sands of Lake Huron with jet skills, swimming, bourbon slushies and big time grilling HR always sounds a little better with bourbon. ;)
Come to Florida!
This is absolutely crazy, I love it! I agree with KD, about the ATL. Maybe it should be regional. I don't think the Miami, Fort Lauderdale area would be a big draw, Atlanta would be bigger.
Okay, I didn't think of the RV part, but I actually discussed something like this with an HRev attendee during one of my "critique sessions' in Chicago. We thought it would be great to bring a one-day HRevolution to a city, maybe in conjunction with a SHRM local or other established HR association, who would help with venues and promotion. Not crazy by a long shot.
I am in for a tour, or to help locally, or do whatever needs to be done. Except drive the bus.
Hey, I have a total of 5 months of leave coming in the next two years, thanks to my awesome employer. So I'm glad to hop on the bus!
@Victorio - Thanks and I know NYC would rock for any event we tried to have there
@KD - Thanks - the 'ham would be a perfect location for this kind of thing
@Dee - Grand Rapids or on the beach at the lake, both sound good to me!
@Mike - I would love to
@John - ATL is a great place, I agree
@Joan - Thanks Joan, no worries, we can find volunteers to drive!
@Krista - 5 months off sounds great, would love to have you on the bus!
You know I am in. Omaha is ripe for this. One way or another, we are brining the revolution to Nebraska. Let's do this thing.
-Jason
We've had a regional tech conference in Greensboro for the last 4 years (minus last year) that occurs in October, and creates a bit of a buzz. I think taking HRevolution on the road is a great idea. Would be happy to get involved in something for the southeast. Lots of great HR in North Carolina that could use the insight and energy we have been able to generate in the last two events. Charlotte perhaps? The banking industry is a prime target, and there's a Howl at the Moon there for our HR singers. :)
Hope you don't intend to stop your side of the pond! Have to get the campervan on boat!!
Maybe we can have an HR FaceOff with the ConnectingHR Unconference in London!
Despite my distaste for road trips I am all for this! Let's go!
Sounds like a trip I'd want to be a part of! Sign me up for the RV adventure if there's room on the bus and we'll roll out the red carpet in Cincinnati for the HRevolution bus as well!
@Jason - Thanks - Omaha sounds like the perfect place for this as we talked about at the event. I hope we can make it happen.
@Tammy - I agree, we could have a great little tour in the South as well, Charlotte, Atlanta, B'ham, maybe Columbia SC.
@Mervyn - Maybe you can help us with UK version of the tour. Except I am afraid to drive there, I heard you drive on the wrong side of the road.
@Shauna - Oh stop it, you will have a ball!
@Jennifer - There is of course room for you! Let's start or end this in Cincinnati
My vote is start in Cincy with Jen and end in STL. I am definitely in to ride on the HRv tour!
@Trish - Cincy to St Louis? Maybe - there seems to be a whole lot of not much in between them though.
Great idea Steve. Aquire will help you in Dallas. I bet I could get a lot of our customers to help around the country too.
I think this could be great for stimulating change.
Cheers
Lois
Not a straight shot from Cincy to STL. How about:
Cincinnati
St. Cloud, MN
Lincoln, NE
Oklahoma City
Dallas
Kansas City
St. Louis
@Lois - Thanks very much for the support - I hope we can get to Dallas. I will be sure to let you know if we can pull it off.
@Trish - Sounds like a better plan, if not more driving! Let's talk about making it happen.
I live alone n [url=http://art.asia-lacquer-furniture.com]Art Asia Lacquer Furniture[/url] next night lock s [url=http://asia.asia-lacquer-furniture.com]Asia Asia Lacquer Furniture[/url] silent locked not hx Hello, I am a freelancer Translator I [url=http://asian.asia-lacquer-furniture.com]Asian Asia Lacquer Furniture[/url] live in Portugal now I [url=http://cabinet.asia-lacquer-furniture.com]Cabinet Asia Lacquer Furniture[/url] v cu London, where i f as an interpreter you r over 5 [url=http://carved.asia-lacquer-furniture.com]Carved Asia Lacquer Furniture[/url] ann're working. I am f r looking for a job.