We've seen in the past year how unconferences, barcamps, and other grass roots conference structures have become powerful tools to develop community; virally market standards, tools, and ideas; and launch new companies and networks. The focus of the discussion will be how conferences that are organized—or at least, begin, on an ad hoc basis as unconferences and barcamps—can actually generate powerful momentum in pushing forward standards, networks, and community.

We'll discuss best practices, strategies for success, marketing tips, insider knowledge, and tales from the trenches with the organizers and founders of three very successful *unconferences:* Tara Hunt, co-founder of BarCamp and lead organizer for BarCampBlock; Elisa Camahort, co-founder of Blogher and lead for its conference series: and unconference expert Kaliya Hamlin, cofounder of She's Geeky, an unconference for women who identify as geeks.

Susan Mernit, Yahoo! senior director, board advisor to Blogher, and co-organizer for the recent She's Geeky and a long-time social media and community blogger, will moderate this panel.