Playing with new event formats: Mobile Meshwalk

Shannon Clark, networker extraordinaire and organizer of MeshForum, among other claims to fame, is organizing a neat event with a very innovative format. The Mobile Meshwalk will be held on March 20 from 9am to 9pm. The morning is a “Design Crawl”, where participants visit a number of design companies in San Francisco’s South Park area. In the afternoon a “Walking Camp” small groups will drift, take photos, and brainstorm about mobile advertising based on what they’re seeing on their stroll. Drinks at the end of the day will accompany sharing findings, general discussion, and much jollity. The whole thing is free, enabled by sponsorship by Orange.

The closest thing to this I’m aware of is the “learning journeys” organized by Global Business Network, where participants visit organizations, events, and sites to learn through direct experience of innovation. The concept has been copied and adapted by a range of organizations to help senior executives grapple with emerging ideas and business models. This is a nice variation on the theme – I won’t be able to make it but look forward to hearing back from participants.