IgnitePhilly organizers ask community to suggest presentations for third event

Have five minutes to spare on Saturday, May 2?
Consider stopping by Johnny Brenda’s in Fishtown that evening to catch just one presentation at the next planned IgnitePhilly speaking event. Or take those minutes and give a presentation of your own. The third in a series of Ignites was officially announced yesterday in a blog post written by Geoff DiMasi of P’unk Ave, who says that organizers are currently accepting recommendations from the community for potential speakers, 15 in all, before the May event.
“Are you working on a rad project, have something interesting to say or know someone that is?,” he asks in the post. “We are looking for inspiring speakers that are doing cool things in Philadelphia.”
Ignite gives presenters a chance to fire off the details of their ideas or projects in five minutes or less with 20 backing slides. No sales pitches or shameless self-promotion accepted. Still confused? Just watch the video presentations from the first and the second Ignites. It’ll take much less than five minutes to realize the potential to learn, share knowledge, and grab one of JB’s frosty, craft-brewed beers while you’re at it. Beer may seem like a side note, but its an integral point of contrast to the university lecture setting that the organizers are trying to steer clear of.
We called DiMasi to glean some additional details and found out why he thinks Ignite is 2009’s answer to Fugazi, after the jump:

Given the success of the first two events, which featured presentations about creative arts, media, startups, sustainability, tech, and more, one has to wonder why the organizers opted against upgrading to a larger venue. DiMasi tells us that they turned down offers for space from the Free Library and the idea of an outdoor event at a park in Northern Liberties, for the charged, excited atmosphere available at Johnny Brenda’s.
“It’s like the Fugazi or hardcore punk shows I remember going to. If you don’t make it in, it makes it that much more special for the people who did,” he said.
But don’t think that the organizers are leaving you high and dry. This time around, they’re planning on streaming video from the second floor balcony stage to an additional monitor upstairs, and hopefully, DiMasi says, to a monitor in the bar on the first floor as well.
It’s too early to tell who will be presenting, says DiMasi. The event’s organizers, which include representatives from P’unk Ave, The Hacktory, and Make:Philly, haven’t even officially met about the May event, yet. But DiMasi suggested that there’s a strong possibility of inviting several people already elected in his IgnitePhilly post. Brian McTear, executive director of Weathervane Music Organization, what say ye? Same to you, Habari developer Owen Winkler. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the competition (which DiMasi is quick to point out is no competition at all). Whoever it may be, DiMasi hopes that speakers are local to Philly, although he’s not opposed to innovators from other cities stopping by.
DiMasi hopes to wrap-up the engagement list by early April, so head on over to the comment section of the announcement and add your opinion. And if there’s no shame in your game, why not suggest yourself?