I want to share the process we are using to build out sessions and labs for MAX 2009. We established a new content creation process for MAX 2008 with the goals of getting more people involved in MAX content creation and improving the session quality. As a result of the process change, we saw MAX session survey results year over year jump 30% in quality. This year we are refining the process a bit and making our process public. We want everyone to know how MAX is built and how much work goes into making MAX sessions and labs great. Onward!

Tracks and Track Managers

MAX has 3 tracks managed by 3 track managers. For MAX 2009 the track managers are Ben Forta (DEVELOP), Doug Winnie (DESIGN), and HB.Mok (ENVISION). These three have the final say on track related issues and both select and manage Camps and Camp Managers.

Camps and Camp Managers? huh?

Camps are where sessions are selected, managed, and delivered in partnership with speakers. Camps are essentially a biased interest group focused on a particular technology, market, or product. As a biased interest group they are centered on making sure the sessions they own are the best ones for the interests of the Camp. To make a Camp great we select a technical expert who best knows the Camp's market and needs, this is the Camp Manager. Camp Managers are accountable for the speaker and session quality at MAX and have direct authority over the Camp itself. As a technical expert, they are best suited to select session and lab content and often know who would be the best speaker on a particular subject. Camps are typically small and consist of 3-4 sessions so as to best provide speakers the support they need during content creation. Becoming a Camp Manager is a big deal and requires time to dedicate over 3-4 months to make session content great. Contrary to popular belief not all Camp Managers work for Adobe. Last year both O'Reilly Media and several 3rd party conference organizers got involved in the camp management process with great results. The Camp and Camp Manager process supports making content king and allows many people to get involved in MAX content creation. Over time we would like to see more Camps managed by the community and the plan is to have the MAXOWG lead this effort for MAX 2010 but to open the process for feedback and comment this year.

Right now we are selecting Camps and Camp Managers for MAX 2009. As we head towards the completion of the MAX Call for Sessions and Labs on April 15, we will then focus on selecting sessions and speakers to be completed between May 15-June 1. 

Our team would love to better understand what camps the MAXOWG wants to see at MAX. We will make sure the suggestions posted in the comments here are posted into our weekly meeting for review with track managers. After we get your feedback we will post our initial list of Camps for review and comment. 

It is great to finally share how we build the content for MAX. I look forward to sharing more details as our progress continues and getting the community more involved in MAX management and planning. Making MAX a more open and community driven event is one of our key goals within Adobe and we look forward to making this happen in partnership with the MAX Open Working Group.

I will be posting updates more regularly as MAX content development is fully underway.

See you at MAX 2009!

Cheers,

Ted :)