Wikipedia describes an “unconference” (or BarCamp) as network of open, participatory workshop-events, whose content is provided by participants. So, it’s an event where the content is totally audience generated and the agenda is spontaneous, often not created until everyone arrives. This leads to quite a unique experience, both from an attendee and planning perspective. (This format was really a challenge for my organized and scheduled mind, but I saw real value in enabling audience members to address their specific interests at this precise moment in time. It’s a neat concept.)

The Program Grid

There were 45 sessions to choose from and a wide variety of topics: everything from how Frank Lloyd Wright’s “destroying the box” architecture influenced the user experience, creating unique Photoshop brushes, measuring UX, audience research methods, UX on mobile devices, to a demo of the new toys in the MIT Media Lab.

Rachel Pastirik - Listening to How an Unconference Works

Attendees were required to participate to some degree: either by leading a discussion, showing a demo, sharing information, or by creating another type of collaborative session. The conference was specifically for web designers, user experience practitioners and information architects.

As usual on awards night, the ballroom was packed with entrepreneurs, business representatives, local officials, and guests for this annual event. Here are the video and pics from the night. (Click to play or enlarge.)

Sheri, Rachel and Barbara	Rachel Pastirik at the Netdrafter Table
Sharon (Flintstone) and Rachel	Beverly (Your Newsy Notes) and Rachel
Rachel and Zach	Netdrafter’s Collection of Finalist Plaques

The Loudoun Chamber of commerce has announced the finalists for the annual Small Business of the Year Awards and Netdrafter is a finalist in the Technology category again! We were a finalist in 2007 and also in 2006. We are hoping that this is the year we win, but regardless, it is an honor to be recognized again as one of the finest technology firms in Loudoun.

Netdrafter was originally nominated for the award by one of our clients. Then, we were chosen as a finalist, from over 200 nominated businesses, by a panel of business leaders and industry experts. We’re one of 32 finalist companies with three other businesses in the Technology category. Winners will be announced at the Small Business Awards Gala dinner on November 5, 2009 at Lansdowne Resort. This “Academy Award” style night is a signature Chamber event where more than 500 top business and community leaders gather to salute the best of Loudoun’s small businesses.

Awards Submission Materials Accompanying Web Site

As a change from previous years, the public is now able to vote online for the category winners. Voting is possible until Wednesday, October 7, 2009 and is open to anyone worldwide.

“To be chosen as a finalist for Loudoun County’s premier business award is a tremendous honor. The competition for the Small Business Awards is incredibly fierce, with the most dynamic, innovative and successful companies in the region striving to earn the most prestigious recognition for business excellence in Loudoun County,” said Chamber President Tony Howard.

Netdrafter is part of 9,000 Loudoun businesses, over 200 award nominees, and 32 award finalists.

Redesign & Development Video

Customer Comments:
“Thorough research was done on our company and about our industry. The project was well planned and laid out and a lot of work was accomplished in a reasonable amount of time. Result: a very nice, perfectly working end product to show for it.
Thanks!” – Chris Lutz, Owner

After a preliminary round, top scoring students and teams will submit business plans to be judged by prominent entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. The winners will be announced at the public finale event at Georgetown University on Saturday May 2, 2009. Winners will be awarded cash prizes and valuable in-kind donations of time and expertise by leading business consultants in a variety of fields.

As a young entrepreneur and Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia’s business plan contest winner, Rachel Pastirik, Netdrafter’s President is pleased to be a part of the event. “We need more events like this to encourage students to pursue technology careers and innovate in the field” says Pastirik.

This year’s focus is on “Building Business Together” in a challenging economic climate. The all-day event takes place at George Washington University, on March 10, 2009.

This is a pro-bono project for Netdrafter and just another example of our dedication to the Loudoun community.

We offer 8 regular workshops as well as custom sessions, like the one above, designed to meet the needs of your audience. For more information, please see our Speaking and Training page.

We delivered our “Truths and Myths of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” presentation and created the web site for the event. The 19 page informational and registration web site included advanced programming for: seminar and workshop selection, printable session tickets, dynamic sponsor and donor display, web-based sponsor/exhibitor/contributor registration, downloadable registration details for administrative use, and online advertisement.

The event was very well attended and Netdrafter was happy to be a part of its success!

Loudoun Technology Finalist Award Presentation Video

In the spring of 2007, Netdrafter acquired a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification – under the Commonwealth of Virginia’s SWAM (Small, Woman and Minority Business) program. With the WBE, SWMB certification, Netdrafter made itself known to public and private procurement agents.

The company trademark was finalized in March 2007, and the corporate web site experienced a major marketing overhaul to better reach its target customer.

Reaching the 100th customer mark spawned to need for corporate expansion and development as Netdrafter moved its corporate location to a commercial space located in Sterling, Virginia.

Netdrafter Welcomes New Partners and Customers

In 2007, we had the privilege of welcoming the following companies to the Netdrafter family:

• All About Languages
• Berkeley Data Systems
• Broad Run High School Alumni Association
• DCMeeker Associates
• Fairfax Community Business Partnership
• Friends of Loudoun Mental Health
• GigaMedia Access Corporation
• Homestretch Incorporated
• Innerworks, LLC
• National Association of Women Business Owners – Nation’s Capital Chapter
• Pamela Jones, Inc. – Long and Foster
• PTI Communications
• Sagetopia, LLC
• Skating is My Life
• Your Busy Life

Thanks to the following consulting firms for helping us out this year:

• Beacon Accounting Group (Accounting)
• Exposure Media Consulting, LLC (Business Planning)
• Hamam Design (Graphic Design)
• Savar & Associates (Sales Training)
• Stokefire Consulting Group (Branding)
• The Essential Agreement, LLC (Contracts and Business Documents)
• The Executive Suites at CountrySide, Inc. (Office Space)

90% of all new projects come from customer referrals. Thanks to our current customers for keeping our business running strong and continuing to bring us additional projects as your online business needs grow.

Netdrafter in the Community

At Netdrafter, we believe in integrity – words and actions in sync. We don’t just say we are involved in the community; we are involved in the community. This is not a duty of the corporation but rather a sincere and earnest desire to be a part of our community. We value people. Our 2007 involvement included:

• Sponsoring web services for the Autism Help Network, Friends of Loudoun Mental Health, the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, Loudoun LeadShare, the Loudoun Small Business Development Center, the Broad Run High School Alumni Association, the National Association of Women Business Owners – Nation’s Capital Chapter, and the Virginia Association of Non-profit Organizations.

• Speaking for Radford University, the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia, the Loudoun Small Business Development Center, the Loudoun Home Based Business Council, and at the annual Women Entrepreneurs’ Expo.

• Donating time and services to The Arthritis Foundation, Soldiers’ Angels, and the Heritage High School Athletic program.

Thanks to everyone for another great year!
Rachel and the Netdrafter Team