Role: Co-Producer
Something big is happening.
Author and World Domination Summit host Chris Guillebeau approached me and a small team of people in 2013 with an idea for a sister event to WDS—an indie business conference that was focused on actionable steps instead of big-picture inspiration or motivation. Pioneer Nation was born out of that idea and debuted in March 2014.
Held at Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon, Pioneer Nation brought 300 independent entrepreneurs into a pioneer-themed space to hear main stage case studies and learn from their peers through dozens of action-oriented workshops across two focused days of content.
Our first pioneers found friends, collaborators, and clients by the time we were finished, but more importantly, they walked away with clear next steps for their business and renewed vigor for forging their own independent path as part of the DIY work revolution.
In addition to working with Jolby & Friends to develop the conference branding, I oversaw all of the technical production, was liaison to the venue, and collaborated with our lighting designer and sound engineer to create a designed environment that captured the pioneering theme.
The second iteration of Pioneer Nation took place in October 2015, and we really took things to the next level. Pioneer Nation 2015 was more of a retreat for your business, taking place at the Resort at the Mountain at the base of Mt. Hood (just outside of Portland, Oregon). This serene setting featured crisp mountain air, changing autumn leaves, and an environment that really allowed our 200 attendees to clear their heads, focus on what mattered most, and make lasting connections with their peers.
That year I took on the initial location scouting, comprehensive budget management, and worked closely with the venue to make sure our attendees were well-acommodated (nearly all of them stayed at the Resort during the conference) and attended to.
Our team delivered another fantastic main stage experience focused on case studies and lessons learned, and dozens more workshops across the property that dove into specific business-related topics with actionable outcomes.
Other highlights unique to this event included chartering coaches to transport attendees to the Resort, taking the pioneer theme to the next level in a few cheeky ways, and capping the weekend with a massive bonfire, food trucks, and an unforgettable line-dancing session.
Key responsibilities: art direction, asset management and preparation, main stage technical production, print production, vendor management, venue liaison, website content management, copy editing, comprehensive budget oversight
Photos by Armosa Studios