by Emma Rodgers

It really is not long now. There’s only one week to go until commscamp. We can’t wait.

If you can’t come, don’t worry. Follow the #commscamp hashtag and look out for Facebook Live streams for the pitching at 10am and through the day via our group here.
Here’s a reminder if you are coming along on Friday July 14.

What to do now…

If you can’t come let us know. Not everyone can get away and that’s fine. But do let us know.

Facebook, Twitter debate and discuss. We have a Facebook group here where people kick around ideas for sessions and we’re on Twitter @commscamp. Hashtag is #commscamp There have even been memes by Winston Churchill – yes you did read that right.

If you are in two minds about pitching a session… DO! If you want to talk about it, if there’s a problem that needs solving or if you think you’ve got some answers do it. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll get from it. Everyone is welcome to pitch and you will get lots of support, whoops and cheers. So go on push yourself out of that comfort zone. But no powerpoint. Okay?
BRING OR BAKE! Bring along a homemade cake for our cake table so brilliantly put together by the fantastic Kate Bentham. Each slice bought gets a raffle ticket where incredible prizes can be won. Like the best of Cliff Richard LP. Or a cat ornament. Bring a prize if you can’t bring a cake or even better bring both. Pre-loved stuff is fine.

The night before social. There’s a pre-camp social the night before that involves drinks and curry. We’ll be at the Anchor, Bradford St, from 6pm and Manzils, Digbeth at 8pm. You can sign up for a ticket here

So you need a place to stay. There’s a list of hotels on our website just in case. Take a look at some helpful information. There’s also a map on how to get there.

On the day…

Yes, there will be a walking train from New St and Moor St Stations. It’ll leave Birmingham New Street at 9am and we’re asking people to meet at Boots in the main concourse. You’ll see volunteers with a red foam hand and a commscamp sign. It’ll then swing by Moor Street at 9.15am and be at the Bond Company venue at 9.30am. Sarah Yates, Kelly Quigley-Hicks and James Allen are your helpful peeps to look out for.

Yes, there will be ice cream. We’ve booked a VW Camper ice cream van for the afternoon so clearly, there will be sunny skies.

You’re bringing your car. There is parking at the venue ONLY for blue badge holders – book in advance by emailing info@thebondco.net – and limited street parking but there are pay and display car parks a short walk away. There is a Google map here with car parks marked.
Registration is from 9am on Friday 14 July at The Bond Company, Fazeley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham and the event starts at 10am. Please try and get there by 9.30am. There will be tea and coffee.

At the end of the day. We should be all done by around 5.30pm and we’ll head along to The Old Crown in Digbeth High Street for those who’d like a quick wind-down.
Any questions, just ask.

This couldn’t happen without our lovely volunteers. Thanks to everyone who’s mucking in to make commscamp a success.

Big shout to our lovely sponsors and supporters: GOLD: Granicus, Touch Design SILVER: Alive With Ideas, comms2point0, dxw, Digital Action Plan from Helpful Technology, UR Promotions. BRONZE: Council Advertising Network, MusterPoint, PSCSF, The Satori Lab.

SUPPORTERS: FirePRO, Government Communications Service, LGCommunications.

Creative commons credit: Paul Clarke / Flickr