I also thought I would share here what the convention has meant to me.  I started as a Volunteer at the very first SLCC held in New York in 2005.   After meeting Residents of Second Life and being inspired by those Residents that formed the Convention I was hooked.  The next year I came on as an Organizer and became the point person and organizer of the Volunteers (a role I still hold today), and sponsorships as well as handled the catering for the event. It was at the end of that convention, while still in San Francisco that I officially came on board as a Lead Organizer. It was an honor then and still is today.

As I tell everyone I meet, Second Life Residents are the greatest people on the face of this earth.  When we meet in real life (RL), there are no awkward getting to know you moments.  Having known some people for years inside Second Life, I can tell you first hand the bonds made at SLCC each year are enduring.  We are bound by like interests, shared goals within the Community and a great respect and admiration of each other.

Our attendees are THE most important part of the convention, for without YOU the convention would cease to exist. It is your single contribution by attending that brings life to the Second Life Community Convention each year. If you have the desire this year, take the next step to register and be part of the SLCC10 Volunteers!

Thank you and looking forward to meeting YOU at SLCC10 in Boston!

Have a Happy July 4th!

Donna Meyer aka Misty Rhodes in SL
Vice President & Director of Human Resources
AvaCon, Inc.

In addition to these concerns, many of us were deeply troubled and saddened by the loss of good colleagues and friends on the Linden Lab team.  Indeed, one of our own here on the SLCC planning team was part of the downsizing and has been affected by these changes in a very personal way.  We share the sense of loss and worry that has rippled through our world in the past few days, and wanted to address how this affects the Second Life Community Convention, now only 60 days away.

First, rest assured that SLCC will take place as planned on August 13-15^th. There is perhaps no better time for the Residents of Second Life to come together to share, discuss, and plan for our future than now.  The convention has always been a forum for us to share our successes and lessons learned, but perhaps most importantly, a place for us to discuss our biggest challenges and develop strategies to overcome them.  SLCC allows us to have these conversations in the company of others who not only share our passion for the metaverse, but who understand at a deep level what it means to work, play, and live in a virtual world.

Second, know that we share in the sadness and concern for those who were affected by the downsizing. Many of the people at Linden Lab aren’t just our service providers; they are also our friends and colleagues.  Some began as Residents who went on to become employees of Linden Lab, others we’ve come to know through long associations that transcended mere “support” relationships.   We hope not to lose their voices from our community, and in recognition of their service and our gratitude, we are offering a limited number of special discounted registration tickets to former Linden Lab employees who were laid off last week.

We recognize, of course, that many in our community are suffering from financial hardship, and we have done our best to keep the convention affordable, to negotiate a good discount on hotel rooms and internet access (free this year), and to provide opportunities to share costs through finding a roommate or carpooling.  At the same time, we also wanted to recognize those who have supported our projects and communities at Linden Lab and honor their contributions to our world.  Former Linden Lab employees who qualify can email us at info@avacon.org for more information about how to receive the discount.

Finally, we have always believed that the Second Life Community Convention is less about the technology and the platform, and more about the people and experiences it enables. Though SLCC is sponsored by Linden Lab (for which we are grateful), the convention itself is run by and for the Residents of Second Life.  Whatever the future may hold, it is through our networks and communities, and our shared passion for creativity, innovation, and collaboration that will carry us through.

We hope you will join us in Boston this year, and we look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones as we face the future together.

Track leaders play a crucial role in helping plan, organize, and execute the Second Life Community Convention. In addition to assisting with overall planning and organizing, Track Leaders take responsibility for the programmatic content of the convention by soliciting and reviewing proposals submitted by members of the Second Life community. Track Leaders also work to do outreach and increase attendance at the convention, help find sponsors, and contact communities and groups in-world to encourage them to submit proposals or attend SLCC.

In appreciation for their contribution, time, and effort, Track Leaders receive a complimentary conference registration.

Don’t miss your chance to help make SLCC terrific, apply now!