Blogin Cafe

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

Oakland County created and hosted the first-ever Blogin Café at the Chrysler Arts, Beats and Eats festival over Labor Day weekend in 2008. The County’s Information Technology Department conceived, designed, developed, implemented, supported, and staffed the four-day blogging technology showcase, handling all facets of the Blogin Café event. County eGovernment staff developed and coordinated event sponsor relationships, on-site event setup, and management, procurement of necessary equipment and technology, and the recruiting, training and management of event volunteers. More than 2,600 festival-goers visited the 10-foot by 30-foot blogging tent over 4 days, using 35 computers to write their opinions about everything from local government, the economy, environmental issues, and the festival itself. The Blogin Café event served the dual purpose of introducing citizens to blogging while soliciting and collecting valuable input, ideas, and suggestions from Oakland County residents and visitors.