I have been asked how remote participants will be participating in the event and this post is to provide more information about how I envision these remote participants group will be participating in the event.
Remote participants can be used in several ways. They can utilise their specific skillsets towards helping out a number of teams during the event and if they are overseas then it would be a true follow the sun model of working and collaborating.
They can be product feedback testers, becoming early market adopters and advocates, helping to create a community of users for your product.
The cycle for this innovation event is having an idea, validating the idea, turning the idea into a product/service, and re-validating the product/service.
I believe that remote participants are the key in helping execute an idea and to also validate the product/service.
All participants get a chance to vote for the product/service they like so it does become critical to manage remote participants.
I would advise that the team designate a member to act as a community manager to help gather and co-ordinate remote participants.
Lastly, I really want to know who will be the remotest participant that weekend.