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Here’s what we know about the next Conversation Among Masters (CAM) set for May 15-18, 2011—not a lot.
The event has not been marketed, no agenda’s been released (on the CAM website the “agenda” page reads “Coming Soon!”) and not one of CAM’s annual “conversation starters” has been announced (again—“Coming Soon!”).
Only about two things are clear about CAM ‘11: it’s going to happen at the Grove Park Inn and Resort in Asheville, North Carolina; and—it’s sold out. “Ten months in advance—is that cool or what,” reads an email announcing CAM ’11 will go to a waiting list before it ever makes a formal appeal for attendees. The email concludes with a simple “woo-hoo!”
Other coaching groups have—at times—struggled to reach goals for conference attendance.
In 2009, the ICF had just over 1,000 confirmed attendees for its annual conference just three weeks ahead of the event. Final attendance, according to the ICF’s 2009 annual report, was “over 1,200.”
The ICF has promised vendors an attendance of 1,300 for its upcoming 15th Anniversary annual conference in Fort Worth, Texas. The conference, which begins on October 27, has offered attendees various discounts, including an “early bird” rate ($175 off) by August 31, and an “alumni” rate for those who attended the 2009 event ($350 off, which ended May 31).
The ICF has not yet released specific registration figures—and in its 2009 annual report to members only reported a figure of “more than 1,200” for the ‘09 conference, while listing specifics such as “69 volunteers, 54 breakout sessions, 47 exhibitors, four networking events and three keynote (super) sessions.”
“At the moment, we’re slightly behind our usual trend, but are expecting the customary surge of registrations prior to the end of our early bird discount,” said Ann Jarvis, marketing manager for the ICF.
So why’s CAM breezed so easily—and so quickly—to a sellout?
For one thing, it’s a far smaller event—limited to a “by invitation only” total attendance of just 175 coaches “to maintain an intimate setting and foster dialogue among all participants.” The emphasis on smaller, richer groups of coaches engaging in thought-provoking discussions has not gone unnoticed by other groups, with the ICF itself highlighting format changes that promise “even more participant interaction and hands-on learning than in the past.”
No changes planned for the Conversation Among Masters—just more of the same. “Why is CAM successful when other conferences struggle to “fill their seats? CAM is Love,” said CAM co-founder and past ICF president Bobette Reeder. “Cam Members are Loved, Cared For, Respected, Pampered, Played with,Teased, Hugged, Surprised, Shocked, Moved, Touched. They experience Love, Warmth, Joy, Tears, Giggles, Rocking Chairs, Teddy Bears, Cherries Jubilee, Brilliance, Bedtime Stories with cookies and milk, Spas, Music, Love…etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.”
“I would love to offer an explanation as to WHY the early sellout,” said Reeder. “But all I could say is, ‘you would know if you had been there.’”
Reeder believes many more would like to have the CAM experience than are able to attend the annual event. Does the early sellout mean a bigger event for 2012? Reeder says no. “We had ALWAYS promised that CAM would not grow any larger than 175 Coaches,” she said. “We honor that commitment.”
What may happen, however, is an expansion into further CAM offerings that might give more coaches a taste of what it’s like to “be there.”
“We have considered several additional possibilities which are very creative (the mainstay characteristic of CAM), and would provide an opportunity for other qualified Coaches to experience CAM,” said Reeder, though CAM’s leaders have made no decisions yet.
Are you one of the 175 coaches headed to CAM next year? What made you rush to sign up early? Was it the fear of getting shut out—or excitement about joining the conversation (or both)?
What can CAM teach other coaching conferences about delivering value for the time and money coaches invest in these events—and what does CAM’s success say about the world of coaching conferences in general?
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There are 12 Responses so far...
Mark…I am so impressed with your honesty, fairness and integrity…qualities of a GREAT DAD! Bobette
Mark, Your writing resonates with me, as you look at different perspectives of a common theme.
CAM works for many reasons: the intimacy of a smaller group, the enormous talent that attend, the thought leaders who inspire us and make us think, and the pampering- of course, the pampering we receive! And don’t forget the chocolate.
Susan and Bobette, thanks so much for your kind comments! Bringing journalism to coaching has been a fantastic experience for me…meeting and exploring ideas with the kind of people that probably make CAM such an experience. And I can’t tell you how nice it is to be a Dad. Best job of my life.
Mark
One of the many reasons why CAM is sold out is because we talk with each other. It’s CONVERSATIONS among masters and not a venue where we’re talked at, not with. We percolate, connect, create collaborative conversations, catch up, think deeply, share laughter, ideas, experiences and knowledge.
At CAM we know we’ll be experiencing all that and more. Why in the world would we need an agenda? Thanks Mark for expressing this so wonderfully well.
Mark, what a great article and what a pleasure to know you are out there covering our news. This was ‘fair and balanced news’ and informative and fun to read. For transparency’s sake, I am the host (emcee) of CAM. I credit the brilliant and creative team that puts this conference together with their early sell out. They create a GREAT experience and they have not repeated anything twice except having me emcee. (not sure if that’s good or bad!)
Thanks again Mark and thank you to all the coaches out there doing great stuff.
I have not been to CAM, though I do know that I will be attracted to any event that works on the principles of ‘abundance mentality’, mutual respects, reciprocal sharing, and having the opportunity of an ‘immersion experience’.
How often do we experience all of these in our everyday conversations?
How often do we operate on the above principles when we deal with people formally and informally?
Incidently, I went for an exploration in an interview to be part of a ‘coach pool’ recently and found that none of the principles above were applied (even though the Organization that is setting up the ‘coach pool’ is working towards being a coaching-cultured Organization).
Billy C H Teoh
Malaysia.
CAM is amazing. It’s practical, it’s energizing, and it’s an exceptional way to network (and laugh) with the movers and shakers in our industry. May’s CAM was a life changer for me. I needed a boost both for my business and myself. I still feel great and it’s 2 months later. It’s the only conference I attend each year.
The brilliance of CAM lies in the basic fact that the founders and the planners truly understand what master coaches need and want in an in-person event, and they provide it with glee. You can get a taste of it here: http://www.suzipomerantz.com/cam10-summary-conversations-among-masters/
And yes, I signed up for the next one while still at the last one, it’s that good!
I had always debated and wound up at ICF. This year, when I knew it was getting close to sold out, I immediately registered. I feel as though I’ve gotten what I’ve needed from the ICF conference, and I have heard such fabulous reviews of CAM. I did not want to miss it again. I’m especially excited about the ‘creative’ piece and the chance to be in conversation with coaches on a deeper and more profound level. I also like the idea of a more intimate environment, and of course, the idea of being pampered!
CAM 2010 was my first event and I was hooked from the first few moments. The event, with its unique conversational setup and intimate feel, feeds the soul and offers a sense of community to what is mostly an individual profession.
More than that, the welcome and inclusiveness the CAM members offer to newcomers is amazing! I felt accepted, valued and very much a part of the event. What an awe-inspiring group of coaches!
Mark, thanks for your thoughtful perspective on CAM. I happily consider it the one “won’t miss” event of my year. CAM is intimate and provides lots of space for connecting and conversing with a truly extraordinary community of coaching leaders from around the world. I consider it a privilege to be part of the CAM invitee list, and am mindful of the responsibility each of the attendees bears to contribute to the experience. The thing that makes CAM truly different and special, in my view (in addition to the extraordinary venues, the food, the special guests, the creativity, the fun and the chocolate) is the fact that it is a co-created experience – it’s a conversation among leaders and thinkers and creators in the profession and we all take responsibility for helping make it a wonderful experience. And while I’m thrilled for Bobette, Guy and Donna that their idea has become a sold-out success, I am not sure that an expanded or extended CAM would hold as much allure. What I do hope is that the mainstream conferences watch and learn and adapt, so more coaches can enjoy more meaningful conference experiences.
I read the article with so many thoughts in mind. As someone who considered attending CAM 2010 and passed it by for financial and business-building reasons, I feel sad to have missed it. To know that 2011 is sold out DID have me feel a pang of regret that quickly dissipated. Choices are just that and different paths can lead to even better results.
It is fantastic to hear about this advance sell out phenomenon for the lessons it is teaching us all about attraction, interest, creativity, delivery and heart.
Congratulations to all who make it such an amazing experience. I am reminded to bring my mastery to the way I serve my target audience.
As for CAM, I trust I will be there one day and will be one of those curious to hear how/if the experience is expanded or offered for the “next” experience you create.