Tonight the Moncton, New Brunswick Public Library hosted an "Ask an Expert"...uhhmmm...thingie.
I say "thingie" because I can empty the pockets of 21st century English and not find a word that accurately describes the format.
It wasn't a seminar or symposium because there were no presentations, either from the end of the table or behind a podium.
It wasn't a roundtable, though, because two of us were the designated "experts," and one the facilitator.
That being said, it wasn't strictly a Q&A session, though we went around the room introducing ourselves as context for our one or two most pressing questions. Plus, it doesn't count the cross-pollination of ideas/resources.
Except that's not quite a true statement, because there were two folks from the CBDC (Community Business Development Center) and one from Universite de Moncton. And they didn't have questions, actually.
You can't call it a "hackathon" because no one was expected to emerge with a fully-formed business plan inked in adrenaline and Red Bull.
And it certainly wasn't a "Shark Tank" VC beauty pageant. (Small mercies, yo.)
Thus, "thingie."
This was apparently the first time that the Library has done this. I don't think it should be the last. The balance of the low-key format with two veterans of business-building was about perfect. Particularly for folks who are still in the "What-if"? phase.
Thumbs up to the MPL for the idea/initiative. And certainly thanks to experts Natacha Dugas (STRATI App Labs) & Jon Chandler (Terra Verde), and a thank you for the generosity of their time and insights.
As for the terminology, I'm perfectly happy with "thingie." You can pretty much guarantee no one will turn that into the next SXSWi anytime soon.
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* Title is tongue-in cheek. Mainly because, to my thinking, the term "professional entrepreneur" is an oxymoron. Simply due to the sheer amount of they-don't-teach-this-at-MBA-school improvisation required. And the only "certification" is longevity.
