While I was getting ready to publish my own personal thoughts about Seattle Mind Camp and how I thought it went (I have just been way too busy traveling over the past week,) I was told to take a look at a wiki by Greg Tallent of BearStorm Media. As it turns out, this guy decided to take the Mind Camp name to organize something called “London Mind Camp.” Huh???

So after putting in countless hours of work to make Mind Camp a success, this guy jumps in and takes the name to apply it to his very different event? Mind Camp worked, and is now known for, because of how it was organized. The amount of time that the event lasted was a big factor in that, going just over 26 hours. The fact that the attendees didn’t have to pay for anything was another factor - we wanted to be sure anyone that wanted to come had no deterrent. BearStorm’s version of Mind Camp is nothing like the real thing.

I emailed Greg about it, as I have been in talked with people in London about bringing Mind Camp to their town, and didn’t want the market confusion. He flat out refuses to change the name, even though his event isn’t until the second quarter of 2006. I sent him three or four emails explaining the situation, along with my preference, but he doesn’t care. Funny though, I bet if me and the excellent team of guys and girls who helped me make Mind Camp the success that it was never put the time and energy into it, Greg Tallent and BearStorm would likely not be using our moniker for their event.

I told Greg that I was working on bringing Mind Camp to London, and asked if he was interested in holding his event off, or changing its name, and joining with the current committee of people I am working with. Of course, he would rather WE join HIM.

Anyone in London (or anywhere else for that matter), if you are interested in the Mind Camp experience that you have read about across the Internet, wait for the one that Gear Live Media presents. Greg Tallent and BearStorm are ripping off the name, and are frankly presenting a radically different product.

Anyone from the original Seattle Mind Camp who wants to let the world know about this situation, feel free to blog it.