Using the Ignite Portland Constitution as a starting board, here are the rules and guidelines that Ignite Phoenix will follow. We don’t want it to become just another event, but something unique that reflects the spirit and creativity of Phoenix.
This is subject to debate and change, so speak up if you have input!
Open and Community Based
Anyone who wants to can participate. As long as you have something interesting, and stick to the format (20 slides for 15 seconds each), you’re good. If you don’t like something about the way Ignite works, and want to change it, let us know. We’ll listen to you, but can’t promise to accommodate every request. We realize this format just may not work for everyone, and that’s fine.
Make it Interesting!
Final presentations will be judged first and foremost on how interesting they are. We’re not targeting a specific “theme” or “feel” for events, and prefer to let that form from the types of submissions received. We, the organizers, don’t pretend to know what “most people” would find interesting, and we don’t think the presenters should worry about that either. If your idea fits the format, and is interesting to at least one person (e.g., you), you’re in.
No Keynotes
All presentations will be given equal standing/billing. Let them differentiate themselves on their own merit and interestingness. We don’t want to have “featured” presenters, keynotes, or special slots for presenters. Is there someone/some company that you really want to see present at Ignite Phoenix? Great! Get them to submit. Nothing in your way. But we don’t hold special spots.
Sponsors
Ignite Phoenix is not-for-profit event organized by the Phoenix Innovation Foundation, an Arizona non-profit organization comprised entirely of unpaid volunteers. We have a wide range of costs including the venue, advertising, and other materials and activities that support the events, and are looking for companies to sponsor upcoming events. Check out our Sponsors page for more details.
Bias/Pitches/Spam
We want Ignite to be about promoting and sharing burning ideas. If those ideas happen to take the form of the company you work for, the startup you’re trying to get funded, or any other self-serving commercial interest, then so be it. We’re fine with it, really. But whatever you present had better be interesting, because that’s what it’s going to be judged on in people’s minds. if you’re going to market to people at Ignite Phoenix, you’d better be smart about it. Because if you’re not, it won’t be pretty…
The Rest of the Rules
I guess there have to be some “real” rules in here, somewhere. So, here they are:
- Selected presenters shouldn’t do anything that’s going to get you or us in trouble. In short, keep your topic legal and don’t be stupid. We try very hard to keep the presentation at a PG-13 level and we ask that all presenters do the same. We don’t want a completely G-rated event, but this is open to the public and presenters should avoid using language and visuals which are graphic, disturbing or suitable only for mature audiences.
- Presenters cannot present at two Ignite Phoenix events in a row. So if you presented at Ignite Phoenix #7, you cannot present at Ignite Phoenix #8, but may present at Ignite Phoenix #9 or beyond. Why do we do this? In order to ensure that we keep the presentations and presenter lineups diverse. However, we know that people have more than one passion, so that’s why we only require presenters to take a one-event hiatus before submitting another presentation idea.
That covers pretty much everything, doesn’t it?
