Flip Flops at a Conference? Only at The People Report Summer Brand Camp

iPad. Check.
Cell phone charger. Check.
Business cards. Check.
Flip flops. Check.

Sounds like a modern vacation check list doesn’t it? Well, in a way it is. But this “vacation” isn’t really one at all. Its work but it’s done in such a way that you really LOVE your work. You really LOVE why you are in that space at that time.

Where are you?

The People Report Summer Brand Camp in Dallas for a 3 day think tank of social media, human recourse and marketing game changers that make a difference in this world. It’s not just a conference, it’s an event! And it’s not a stuffy button down atmosphere. It’s designed to allow us C-Suite types to let our hair down, wear our shorts, sandals, ball caps and be in a comfort zone that no other business conference can offer.This conference is for anyone who is focused on the intersection of consumers and employees in a digital world. HR, Operations & Marketing silos are out - collaboration is in!

This will be my 3rd pilgrimage to Summer Camp because I believe in it. I come back to the world of my desk, computer and files recharged, refueled and ready to take to the stars! You come back from this conference with such a plethora of knowledge and insight that your work and personal self are redefined.

But it’s not also just about the information you collect. It’s about the connections. The human contact and the friendships you leave there with. There is no “inner circle”. There are no “clicks” or secret societies of Mean Girls, Freak or Geeks it’s an open forum of respect, fun, interaction and dynamic personalities. There is no exclusivity to getting close to the energetic speakers after the day’s events like you find at some conferences. They are there. With you. Chatting and laughing and sharing a drink. They aren’t off to their helicopters and taking off to the next big thing.

You hear a lot about “tribe” and “community” now days in corporate and conference environments but this Summer Camp must have been the model for that. The contacts I have made are my mentors, peers and even friends. We care about each other.

That is the other aspect of this conference that makes it stand out. It cares. It gives back through a morning of volunteer work, this year at Brian’s House to benefit children with HIV and AIDS. But it doesn’t end there. The annual Talent Show (that I have the privilege of hosting with others) is also a fundraiser for ProStart that helps kids be the culinary leaders of tomorrow.

I can’t recommend attending this conference enough. If you think SXSW rocks then you will LOVE People Report Summer Camp. Walt Disney said it best: “Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends”. Well friends, I would love to see you in Dallas this June!

Here’s the link. Here’s the shameless video my co-host Bill Campion made with me to get people for the Talent Show. Oh, and did I mention if you sign up before March 30th you bring a friend for free?