The $100 Investment
First conceived of and essentially operating as a nonprofit event (although organizers have not filed for legal status), the World Domination Summit lost approximately $30,000 its first go-round. But with a marked increase in attendees and higher ticket prices this year, organizers found themselves with money left over after registration closed.
There was a debate over what to do with the funds. Save for next year? Donate to charity? Start a foundation? But when an anonymous donor came forward with a gift for a WDS-related project, the team realized it would have roughly $100,000 to work with — or about $100 per attendee. WDS distributed that amount to each person at WDS 2012, asking them only to “do something amazing” with the money.
“Already we’ve heard some great stories about how this money is being used,” WDS organizer J.D. Roth said. “We look forward to sharing some of these stories at WDS 2013.”
its content is anything but typical. As part of this year’s program, for example, Escape From Cubicle Nation blogger Pamela Slim demonstrated martial arts and “cubicle escape,” LaunchBooks Literary Agency founder David Fugate sought to demystify the publishing industry for potential authors, and The Fire Starter Sessions author Danielle LaPorte offered what her website calls “a modern-day pep talk and soul-centered Q&A for people ready to shine brighter than they ever have.” About six weeks before the event, attendees were able to sign up for scheduled workshops on a first-come, first-served basis. Other official activities, includ- ing yoga in the park and various afterparties, were open to everyone. Although participants listened to and learned
from scheduled speakers, they were strongly encouraged to tell their own stories and be inspired by one another. “Inspiration was at the heart of every story,” life coach and WDS 2012 attendee Farnoosh Brock wrote in a post recap- ping the event on her blog, at
prolificliving.com.
“Stories like overcoming breast cancer and living to play it in a humorous song on the guitar, or building a water charity that helps deliver clean water to the poorest villages of Africa. … Stories of waking up to a miserable career after 20 years of service to a company and turning things around because it’s never too late. Stories of not taking no for an answer and not playing by the conventional rules and systems; stories of finding solutions rather than playing a victim all your life.”
GROWING PAINS The summit’s location is a key aspect of that experience. Aside from the fact that both Roth and Guillebeau live in Portland, Roth explained that the city has the perfect character for the ideas that they want WDS to embody — it is filled with people living unconventionally and trying to break out of traditional molds. WDS’s website even jok- ingly boasts that “The city of Portland itself will be on full display, from food carts to craft stores. See hipsters and other people with no obvious means of employment in their native habitat.” In just its second iteration, WDS doubled in
size — from 500 attendees in 2011 to 1,000 this year — with tickets selling out five months in advance and a waiting list of more than 800 people. Two hundred people without tickets showed up just for the unofficial events associated with the conference. WDS has plans to expand again, care- fully, next year. Organizers are mindful of growing
116 PCMA CONVENE DECEMBER 2012 +
pains. “How do we keep a sense of community as the conference grows?” Roth said. “How do we make sure each attendee feels included and is able to share their unique skills and experiences?” Of course, there are also logistical issues —
including concerns this year about WDS being able to serve double the number of people as well as it had the previous year. Organizers found that the opening and closing parties — complete with blogger dunkings, a senior-citizen marching band, sumo suits, and, of course, Portland’s famous Voo- doo Donuts — were easier than they expected, but that coordinating workshops was more difficult.
“When you double your attendance, you’re not just doubling the work on workshops,” Roth said.
“You’re quadrupling it.” It’s not as though WDS’s organizers are meeting
professionals by trade. Ten planning-team mem- bers, who spend the entire year working together on a volunteer basis, come from various walks of life. The Portland-based members do have specific roles — Roth is the speaker liaison, for instance
— but everyone helps out where needed. Another team of volunteers also comes together as staff during the weekend of the event itself. While few details have been released about
WDS 2013, the conference’s website offers some clues. Attendees can expect that main-stage events will still be held at the Schnitz, but breakouts and smaller sessions will occur in nearby hotels. Per- haps thanks to Susan Cain’s influence, there will again be a Highly Sensitive Person Lounge, with soothing hammocks and green tea for introverts and other participants who need time to them- selves. And private, attendee-organized events will include yoga in the park, a 5k run, and “our attempt to set some kind of Guinness world record.” Although registration for WDS 2013 won’t open
until January, potential attendees are encouraged to put their names on a waiting list on the event’s website to get the first news about the on-sale date. It would be prudent to do so — WDS 2012 sold out in just 13 minutes, and organizers expect similar demand next year.
. Katie Kervin is an assistant editor of Convene.
› For more information about World Domination Summit, visit
worlddominationsummit.com.
ON THE WEB
› Watch a recap video of WDS 2012 at
convn.org/ wds-2012.
PCMA.ORG
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