Eco-TAV BlogSaving the planet... one napkin at a time

I have been hearing about podcamps/ barcamps/ democamps  for a couple of years now I guess, and while I have yet to attend one, there is certainly a buzz about them.

But what are they? I hear that they are not limited to “social media” types nor just “techy” fests. If so, are regular folk attending?

I guess maybe Ottawa’s Cupcake Camp last year was a “pod camp” of sorts, but really it was not what I think most of them consist of – but it was fun! Just FYI, I believe another will be coming up soon…

So, I am asking for help in alleviating my ignorance…

If you can explain to me – and anyone who happens to stumble across this post – what a podcamp/ barcamp/ democamp is to you, endlessly karmic gratitude will flow into your life – I swear!

And even better, if you have already posted on your own blog information about podcamps - or any similar open concept gatherings, PLEASE post the link in the comments so that I can take some time to check out everyone’s information and have it handy in one place for reference!

Your time is much appreciated and your help is invaluable!  I am seeking knowledge so that I can look into setting up a potential event for one of my own niche interest groups.

Also post any info about any upcoming events that might be a good way for me, and anyone for that matter, to check things out in person to get a well rounded, in person idea of what these events are like.  My schedule is pretty full, but if I can make it – I’ll be there!
Thanks in advance,
Tracey

A bit behind the times – it is already January 10th – but welcome to 2010!

Looking back at 2009, our inaugural year, there was a lot of continued developement, research, learning, growing and playing.  A lot of hard work, and more to come, but all for the greater good!

Eco-TAV is looking forward to some great green shows this year – the two big ones here in Ottawa that we are booked to participate in are:

March 20/21, 2010: Go Green Expo at Lansdowne Park

and

April 24, 2010: Ottawa Eco-Fair at thr R.A. Centre on Riverside Drive

Another smaller event will be the Ottawa Dancers’ Bazaar on March 6th at the Knight’s of Columbus Hall on McArthur Avenue.

And life goes on!

I am looking into creating more designs for the Artisan line and launching those over the next few months, making them available via the Eco-TAV Artfire site and at the Trade shows of course.

For those unfamiliar with Artfire, it is a similar concept as Etsy, AND they plant trees and are really interactive with their clients!  They are constantly developing new contests, awareness campaigns and more – I like em!

I have also established an Eco-TAV Giving Page through CanadaHelps.org and hope you will take a moment to check it out.  I think they are a simple and easy way to make donations to my favorite mainly local charities ! Make a small donation and help some great folks do their good!

I have loads of work ahead of me this year, but I am looking forward to sharing the ride with you!

Happy 2010!

Tracey

Thank you muchly for the two folks who took time out of their busy lives to submit their own stories of Eco-TAV.

So who will be the big winner?  I know they are both winners { literally as they are both getting prizes!], but I need your help to choose!

So, please check out both videos and let me know which you prefer in the comment section below!

The Lunch Bag by Bonnie Jean et al

M2 Review of Mouse pouch

So either leave your comment on the youtube pages or here and I’ll tabulate and calculate and award these hard working Green Folk by the end of this week!

The Eco-TAV Video Submission Contest has been a bit of a journey! A journey of learning for everyone who has been a part of it!  And it is not over yet!  You’ve still got time to get your video submissions in – message me if you have one in the works and need to figure out how to upload it!

Thanks to the two fabulous people who have entered their video submissions so far!  And mega thanks to the efforts on one lovely lady in Montreal who is spreading the Eco-TAV word by gifting her friends and colleagues with products and tried so hard to create a video for this contest – but technology got the best of her!  Maybe over the holidays, Jenn!

Since there are only two in so far – I know we have at least two winners already, but I’ll need help deciding who is the “BIG” winner!  That means I need your help!  Starting MONDAY, DECEMBER 14th,  I’ll be asking you to vote on your favorite by making comments on the Eco-TAV YouTube PAGE Where the videos are awaiting your comments as video responses!

You’ve got til Sunday December 13th at MIDNIGHT to get your videos in – email me { info@eco-tav.com}  if you have questions!!

Nothing like the trepidation of sending products that you think are great, off to be tested and reviewed by a total stranger. But that’s what I need – some fresh eyes to give me some feedback and let folks know how they find the Napkins and Pouches are to work with.

Thanks to Carrie Anne at EverythingMom for taking the time to post a review about my Eco-TAV goodies!
You can check it out here:

and then follow them on twitter:
@everythingmom and @cbadov

Let’s have some fun this fall and yes, you can win a prize!

PRIZES:
The top 4 videos will each be awarded a fun prize as a thank you for your creative efforts!
The top prize will be a choice of one of two options:
1 – $50 value of Eco-TAV products, gift wrapped and mailed to an address of your choice for the upcoming holiday season.
or
2- $50 gift certificate to any restaurant of your choice within the Ottawa area.

The three other prizes will be valued at $20 each and your choice between

1 – $20 value of Eco-TAV products, gift wrapped and mailed to an address of your choice for the upcoming holiday season.
or
2- $20 gift certificate to any restaurant of your choice within the Ottawa area.

DETAILS:
Why:
I am seeking different ways to:
a. generate interest in the Eco-TAV line…
b. get folks thinking and acting a bit more ‘green’, one step at a time…
c. encourage that community feeling…
..and I thought maybe this could be a fun adventure for those interested in coming on it!

What:
The adventure is to create a video up to 2 minutes – or whatever!- in length that shows how you and yours are using the Eco-TAV line to enhance your lives. It should feature at least one of the Eco-TAV products, but I totally welcome the inclusion of other green/eco-friendly/healthy lifestyle products too!

Where:
Submit your video to the Eco-TAV Youtube Channel and let everyone see it and vote on it.  While I don’t like the idea of “competition”, I do want to award those creative sparks and encourage some funky thinking!

When:
Submit your video [s] until December 12th. Judging will be on going with the standard YouTube rating system already in place, and comments will be open so that folks can really let us know what they think!
Judging will end December 15th so that the Prizes can be awarded in time for Holiday enjoyment!

Who:
Well, everyone who has been touched or will be touched by Eco-TAV, of course! If you know someone who is a creative soul and would love to play with this, send them to Eco-TAV.com so that they can find out where to get their own Eco-fabulous piece of the action!

Rules of engagement:
1 – Copyright issues:
You must have copyrights to everything used in the video. If you are going to talk about someone else’s products and can get permission to do so, that would be ideal.

Any music/ logos/ etc. must be original content created by the creators of the video, or you get written permission to use that music.

Use of the Eco-TAV logo in the video will be permitted. You can contact me for a good quality image!

Once you submit your video, you are giving permission to Eco-TAV/ TAV Creations to use the video, completely or in part, for promotional purposes.  Credit will be given to you in every way possible, though no compensation, financial or in trade, other than indicated in the original contest can or will ever be granted.  But the Fame!  and the Glory!

2. Video submissions should be family friendly.
That’s the way I roll – it can be funny, serious, kooky, dark and even mind numbing – as long as it is safe for work and safe for the kids to walk past while it is on screen!

So, I hope you see this as a fun way to get creative and share you own love of the planet.  Remember to tell your friends to go and vote too!