Thoughts on DocTrain  Clip to Evernote

by Scott Nesbitt

Yesterday, Scott Abel posted that PubsNet (the company behind the DocTrain conference series) was closing up shop and that DocTrain was no more. Let’s just say that this was a bit of a surprise, and it really saddened me. Sure, it’s a sign of the current economic times but that doesn’t make it any easier.

If you’ve been reading this space for any length of time, you know that over the last few years Aaron and I have been fairly regular participants at DocTrain. We’ve spoken together at DocTrain West twice, participated in a panel another time, and I presented solo at DocTrain East last year. DocTrain was good to us while it lasted.

A piece of our (professional) puzzle

Attending DocTrain definitely contributed the our development as professionals. Not only did attending DocTrain UX 2007 give us our start as speakers, but we definitely learned a lot from the various sessions we attended. On top of that, we learned quite a bit about the importance of marketing and networking.

Speaking of networking, Aaron and I are grateful for the opportunity to meet various people face to face. And not just folks we know from the tech comm blogosphere. The list is long, and I don’t want to embarass anyone by mentioning their name here. There were other folks with whom we chatted, had meals with, interviewed for out podcast, and generally hung around. Their thoughts, their ideas, and their company were refreshing and intriguing.

Something that attending DocTrain did for me was to force me to be a little more … well, social. Anyone who knows me probably realizes that I’m not the most extroverted person around. I really have to make an effort to interact with people; it isn’t easy. But when mingling and talking with people, I found that I could be friendly, affable, marginally interesting, and occasionally charming. OK, maybe not charming … At least I know that I can do it.

A note of thanks

First off, to Scott Abel. I remember when he contacted Aaron and I about speaking at DocTrain UX 2007. Scott didn’t put a lot of pressure on us, and gave us a lot of pointers about developing our talk. Over time, we both grew to like and respect Scott. So much so that both Aaron and I were a tad paranoid about letting Scott down.

What we’ve always liked about Scott it that he has a wicked sense of humour and always has great stories to tell. More to the point, Scott has a lot of great ideas.

The person from PubsNet with whom I had the most interaction was Eileen Savary. While Scott seemed to guide each conference in unique direction, Eileen was always there helping keep things on an even keel. She constantly provided information, pointed us in the right direction, and generally made sure everything was OK. Heck, Eileen even managed to straighten out a problem we were having with a projector! Eileen was always good to me; probably better than I deserved at times.

Looking to the future

As Scott Abel mentioned in his blog post, there are openings for new opportunities. The Content Wrangler Summer School program sounds like it’s going to be interesting; online, too, so you don’t have to worry about travel or hotels.

I’m looking forward to seeing what Scott Abel and others come up with. It should be interesting. Will Aaron and I be a part of it? I hope so …

  • http://thecontentwrangler.ning.com/profile/KaiWeber Kai

    Thanks for your reflections. I had a feeling of paradise lost when I read the news yesterday.

    This year’s DocTrain West was – thanks to you – my first U.S. conference. It was like coming home in a lot of ways: Meeting a lot of the people I’d come to know from online communities. Discussing what works and what doesn’t at the cutting edge of TW. Exploring professional challenges and opportunities, whether they lurk in tools, processes, events or jobs.

    I welcome and embrace Scott’s optimism that new opportunities will arise. But now that DocTrain is no longer, I cherish my four days in Palm Springs even more. Thanks to Scott, Eileen and you guys for a great ride!

  • http://www.vanarsdall-infodesign.com Eddie VanArsdall

    Reading this thread is like a reunion. I met both you (Kai) and you (Scott) at DocTrain West 09. I share your fond memories and your sadness about the demise of what I thought was one of the more innovative conference series. I believe that Scott Abel’s direction really raised the bar.

    As you know, I was a volunteer staffer at the conference. I served in that role for the 2007 and 2008 East conferences and the 2009 West conference. I’m grateful that I gave the time, because I got so much in return.

    While in Palm Springs, Scott A talked with me about some presentation ideas for DocTrain East 2009. I hope that we can still develop those ideas and that they will grow and flourish.

    Meanwhile, thanks to both of you for the camaraderie and conversation in Palm Springs. It was a highlight of my time there. I know that our paths will cross again.

  • Pingback: Goodbye to DocTrain | Simplifying Complexity

  • http://www.dmncommunications.com Scott

    @Eddie

    It was great talking to you (however briefly) at what turned out to be the last DocTrain. I wish I could have spent a little more time chatting and wish I could have taken part in the Book Sprint. But, there’s always next time. And there will be a next time. Somewhere, somewhen. Soon, I expect.

    @Kai

    What I just wrote goes for you too. It was refreshing to meet someone who is genuinely enthusiastic about tech comm, and it was unfortunate that I couldn’t get to know you better in the real world. Still, another time and another conference. Somehow, I get the feeling that our paths will cross at an event in Asia — half way for both of us, no? :-)