I don't know about other years, but in 2007 a really sizeable portion of the programme was panels that were devised by me personally, or gained via group brainstorming sessions (where you tend to come up with fairly vague concepts rather than concrete topics). I found that direct submissions from the fan community were much fewer than I expected, no matter how much I asked for people to submit them.
While more people should be submitting fully-formed panels ideas, I think these brainstorming sessions are one of the most important pre-con things, and perhaps shouldn't be left only to those who attend the OPMs. It's possible that cherrypicked focus groups might be a more productive avenue.
You're absolutely right about new panelists, though. This year I rounded up 3 new volunteers, so I feel like I'm on the right track there. I think an important thing to remember is that first-timers don't usually want to go on panels with intimidating, complex topics. Let's give them something straightforward to sink their teeth into.
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Date: 2009-04-16 02:57 am (UTC)While more people should be submitting fully-formed panels ideas, I think these brainstorming sessions are one of the most important pre-con things, and perhaps shouldn't be left only to those who attend the OPMs. It's possible that cherrypicked focus groups might be a more productive avenue.
You're absolutely right about new panelists, though. This year I rounded up 3 new volunteers, so I feel like I'm on the right track there. I think an important thing to remember is that first-timers don't usually want to go on panels with intimidating, complex topics. Let's give them something straightforward to sink their teeth into.