Considered an “un-conference,” Gov 2.0 LA is the mind child of innovator and analyst Alan Silberberg that has been taking place every year since 2010. it brings together many people from around the world and from different fields to talk about Gov 2.0 and the technology surrounding it.
Gov 2.0 LA streams the videos online live, so that those who could not make it to the conference can still be connected to everyone there. Many leaders in media and foreign offices have gathered at these past few meetings, as well as huge corporations like Microsoft. They also look to the academic fields for attendance, as Pepperdine University had teamed up with Gov 2.0 LA to work on policy issues that were important to that year’s conference. The academic perspective was highly appreciated in the community.
It is an annual event in Los Angeles, where many of the leading Gov 2.0 entrepreneurs reside. Even through it is a conference concerning its members with government technology and innovation, Alan stated that he chose LA because of its “open shirt” feel. People can be more relaxed and comfortable while coming to this conference, and thus, have a better time. The conference itself has an itinerary that is loosely followed, although it is mostly debate, and from these conversations, new ideas can spring forward and be talked about. Since it seems to be a casual feel that he is looking for, Alan stated he does not like powerpoint presentations at these conferences.
Below is a video from 2011’s Gov 2.0 LA. One of the topics that comes up is the Egyptian Revolution. If more and more technology that helps people fix their government keeps getting spread out, the goal can become to make the public aware of more of the dictators and tyrants out there who are trying to quell these protests by censoring technology. If you cannot see the video, go here. You can also go here to learn more about the most recent meeting, that took place in April.
