BarCamp is an event of local proportions. Where it has gone, it has made a difference to the local community, and those stories should be told.

If you've been to a BarCamp and have noticed a significant change in your local community in the weeks, months and years following BarCamp, please document them here; if you want to describe your experience in more than a few lines, please considering blogging about it, linking to your post from here, and using the tag "barcampbeforeandafter".

Chris Messina, BarCamp Co-founder, BarCampPaloAlto2005

BarCamp in Silicon Valley was something of an awakening or rejuvenation of a spirit that had gone dormant since the bubble popped. What made the Valley so exciting and welcoming during the 60s and 70s seemed to fade to economic interests and mind-blowing valuations. Whether we intended it or not, opening up the FOO Camp model for our fledging community of entrepreneurs and geeks reawakened our promise and capacity to share, co-produce and to include one another in our respective passions.

 

I think that BarCamp is less an anamoly in the Valley, where it's taken for granted that anything is possible. I do think, however, that Web 2.0 found its footing in a group of passionate individuals and that that the spirit and ethos of that experience has radiated forth ever since.

Ian Muir, BarCampManchester

When we first started planning BarCampManchester, a lot of people didn't think it would work in a small city. Fortunately, we had a great response from the developer community and had almost immediate interest.

 

At the event, we had over 70 people and actually had to create extra time for sessions. Many of the people realized how much was going on in the area. Almost everybody had come to the event expecting it to be small and subdued, but it turned out to be a very exciting day. We're now planning not only a second BarCampManchester, but also geek dinners and other events. It's provided a really great opportunity for us here in New Hampshire and opened my eyes to some of the cool things that are happening in the area.

Riccardo Cambiassi, BzaarCamp (BarCamp Milan)

Italy met the BarCamp in September 2006, and it was love at first sight.

Organizing the first one, in Milan, has been a wonderful experience, as the more effort was pushed into the project, the more people came back to me offering help and sponsorship. In less than 3 weeks the BzaarCamp was ready to host its 70+ participants.

But the snowball was just starting: in a matter of three monthes two other BarCamps were held in Turin and Rome, and about ten BarCamps have been planned for the year 2007 so far (as of february).

Mainstream media are giving coverage to the events and even local governments are starting to look at this media as a good way to open a conversatio with the people.