The dates for Chris Guillebeau’s 2012 World Domination Summit have just been announced, along with a terrific trailer from the 2011 conference. Someone recently asked me what it meant to sign up for WDS – was it a motivational conference or a series of personal stories? My reply was that it was unquestionably inspirational, but that the draw was less about straight-up motivation and more about learning from (and feeling empowered by) everyone you met, by the challenges they’ve faced and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. As I said in my wrapup from WDS, I was bowled over by the energy and spirit from the weekend. As a result, I wanted to put up a post about the 2012 conference and share the wrapup video below.
Speaking at 2011's WDS; photo by Armosa Studios
Chris has reiterated that the 2012 WDS will remain non-commercial and non-profit, and with a similar set up as 2011 – keynote speeches interspersed with workshops and followed by a variety of different tours and meetups. Last year’s workshops were more about practical knowledge – think a mini SkillShare class. I held mine on travel to developing countries (which spawned the sprawling Resources Page you see on my site now) and on career breaks and career transitions. The post conference tours were pure fun – biking, beer tasting, crafts and more. I’m looking forward to seeing who Chris lines up for the keynotes for his second conference.
Here is the wrap-up from 2011, from the talented Armosa Studios, a husband-and-wife team who filmed and photographed the weekend’s many activities:
World Domination Summit 2011 from Chris Guillebeau on Vimeo.
I’m not sure of my plans for the bulk of 2012, but suspect I will be returning to Asia (I’ve got a date with steaming piles of rice noodles and sweet-sour soups from Vietnam, where I’ve yet to travel). However, do I plan returning to PDX for the 2012 summit, seemingly along with many of the people I met last year. For the first half of the 2011 conference, I spent my time trying to keep my nervousness at bay and cross my fingers that I wouldn’t fall off the main stage stage during my talk. For the coming year, I can just focus on the learning and meeting and inspiration.
Hope to see you there!
-Jodi
I am a former lawyer from Montreal currently eating my way around the world, one country at a time. Traveling since April 1, 2008. See the 
I love that video! I now definitely want to attend this conference too, fingers crossed I can get a ticket on Thursday! :) and then I can spend more time hanging out with you too!!! yay! hahaha
Yay! Everybody wins :)
“…a date with steaming piles of rice noodles and sweet-sour soups from Vietnam…”
I’m all over that myself Jodi – I’ll likewise be there in 2012 (moving there November 1). Possibly Saigon, but if I have anything to say about it – tucked into the cool highlands of Da Lat. Perhaps our paths will cross…
Have you ever considered visiting Korea? I just got back from teaching a year there and can speak wonders about how beautiful and wonderful it is. Right now is the best time to go before it gets too cold to be outside.
Also, as a fellow climber, I can tell you they have some of the most beautiful mountains to climb there. Some are a challenge while some others are a fun afternoon trip to go on. I still have vivid memories of some of the sunsets I witnessed on top of Mt. Soyosan.