A BarCamp and the Fear of Public Speaking

Have you ever heard of BarCamp?

BarCamp is an unconference, meaning a more relaxed and fun way of making a conference.

And why? Because it is participant-led, engaging, and open to anyone with an idea.

With no pre-planned agenda, BarCamp's content is driven by attendees. This means that people with proposals have 30 seconds to pitch their subject on stage and wait for participants to vote for the session they are most interested in.

Following this format, UX Camp Amsterdam happened for the seventh time last Saturday. UX Camp is a global movement where UX professionals gather annually to discuss anything tech-related, share experiences, talk about trending topics, or run workshops.

Those who have already attended the Camp know that everyone is encouraged to contribute and learn from one another, building meaningful connections throughout the day. This not only offers excellent networking opportunities, but it also fosters a collaborative and participatory environment.

This year was my second time at UX Camp Amsterdam; this time, I was also part of the event’s organization. On that same day, I faced my fear of public speaking.

It might not seem like it, but I’m naturally shy, dislike being the center of attention, and would do anything to avoid a microphone, but last Saturday, since I was on duty, I decided to go with the flow and be myself. And it worked!

During the presentation of the “Madness Session”, where participants pitch their ideas, I could see in the faces of fellow attendees that there was no need for self-doubt or shyness. The event’s open-minded atmosphere was inclusive and supportive, making it easy to overcome fears, and I can assure you that it is a shared feeling that speaks not only to me.

So if you have never been to UXCamp, this is your invitation. As a bonus, you can connect with extraordinary people.

Thank you, UXCampAMS2025. See you next year!

UXCampAMS2025