Hundreds flock to camp for social networking in government

By Gautham Nagesh 03/30/2009

More than 300 social media enthusiasts nationwide met in Washington on March 26 to discuss and present ways to encourage the use of interactive online applications to increase engagement with the public.

The Government 2.0 camp attracted federal and local government officials, contractors and bloggers who discussed the role of social media in government. Mark Drapeau, a research fellow at the National Defense University who organized the event, called it an “unconference,” because unlike traditional conferences, where speakers are booked and agendas set months in advance, the camp began with an hourlong introduction period. Attendees interested in leading panel discussions suggested topics and volunteered to give presentations. Anyone interested in a particular topic was assured of the opportunity to have a discussion.

The reaction from the decidedly social networking partisans was unbridled enthusiasm. “I love it. It’s of the people, for the people,” said Tamie Santiago, acting director of emerging technologies at the Office of the Chief Information Officer at the Defense Department. “We decided the agenda and it’s led to a passionate discussion, which is where we wanted to be.”

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