Attending unconference and networking events is a great way to meet and talk with other bloggers, designers, writers, and lovers of all things technology. BarCamp (mainly web focused) and PodCamp (web and podcast focused) events (or WordCamp, MashupCamp, BlogCamp etc.) embrace the open and friendly unconference approach when the speakers are made up of those attending, you’re free to walk between talks and demos and you don’t need to pay a stiff fee to get in the door.

I’ve been directly involved in the planning and running of a number of these events and they’re the perfect way to meet like-minded people, learn and share ideas and experiences under the one roof, all without blowing a hole in your precious budget.

With that in mind, here’s a number of upcoming BarCamp and PodCamp

Upcoming BarCamps

*note: Dates are in DD/MM/YY format

• 03/05/08 - BarCamp Jacksonville
• 03/05/08 - BarCamp San Diego
• 03/05/08 - WordCamp, Paris France - Should be great for Wordpress users and bloggers professional and hobby alike.
• 09/05/08 - BarCampKC, Kansas City
• 10/05/08 - BarCamp Helsinki (Helsinki, Finland)
• 13/05/08 - DemoCamp Calgary

Upcoming PodCamps

If you’re a podcaster or have any interest in learning about social networking, social and new media then these are some events to check out.

• 25/04/08 - PodCamp NYC, New York
• 03/05/08 - PodCamp San Antonio
• 06/06/08 - PodCamp Chicago
• 20/06/08 - PodCamp Austin
• 28/06/08 - PodCamp Ohio

If you’re looking for networking opportunities then don’t underestimate the power of connections that can be made at these type of events. Anyone and everyone can and does attend, from people with a passing interest in design and technology to company CEOs, web startups, angel investors, VCs, bloggers, developers and more.

Have you been successful in gaining any work, as a freelancer, by attending any BarCamp or PodCamp type events?

Don’t forget your business cards!

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