Lightning Demos
Lightning demos are an opportunity for Summiteers to share knowledge with other fellow Summiteers. Anyone can sign up for lightning demos, which are some of the most interesting, entertaining and dynamic presentations at the Summit. So what is a lightning demo?
A lightning demo is a 5-7 minute rapid-fire demo of something cool you’ve done, discovered, figured out, or are just proud of. It’s a FANTASTIC way to “break the ice” on public speaking, because you’re in front of the most supportive and enthusiastic crowd we’ve ever seen.
These demos are a mix of folks from product team members (both at Microsoft and elsewhere) and our own Summiteers. Unlike other scheduled demos, these are unscripted and without presentation materials. Lightning demos are when someone presents content directly from their laptop on stage. These unscripted demos are captivating and one-of-a-kind, showcasing the personalities of the volunteer presenters. The content you’ll see is unpredictable and always a Summit favorite!
If you think you have nothing worth showing off, odds are you’re wrong. We’re only talking about 10 minutes max, no one is expecting a new programming language. But if you have a script or a module or even just an idea that you think is really cool, chances are good that someone else there will as well. Worst-case scenario, you get a little experience presenting an idea and a round of applause. Best-case scenario, you find out that people are really interested and you end up presenting a full session next year. And if you’re still not sure about your idea, jump in Slack and ask some folks. You’ll find plenty of candid input and help with a topic. We’re all in this together, after all.
If you want to take part, the very first thing you need to do is sign up. The best part is you don’t even need to wait for Summit to start. You can sign up in advance by visiting http://tinyurl.com/summit-lightning-demos.
On demo day, you’ll need to bring your own laptop, and have your demo ready to go. Make sure it works when you’re not on your work network (OMG, where’d my shared folder go?!?!?), and make sure you can connect to a regular HDMI connector (BYO dongles). Know how to make your laptop USE that HDMI connector instantly, too. We’ll get you set up, slap a mic on you, and you’ll be ready to go.
We don’t record lightning demos, so any gaffes made at Summit will stay at Summit ;).
For information, or to just ask questions, drop into our Slack team and visit the #community-demos channel. Some of our best Summit speakers started out as lightning demo presenters, and you could be the next rising star!