How to start a virtual conference with Dr. Camille Jones
My interview guest this week is my good friend Dr. Camille Jones, LMSW. Dr. Jones is a multi-disciplinary private practitioner who specializes in wellness and behavioral health care.
She is also the Founder and President of ClinicianFest, a two-day virtual experience for mental health and wellness practitioners to collaborate, share knowledge, and advance the field.
I’ve had the honor of being a panelist at ClinicianFest the last two years and it’s a super fun and engaging virtual event.
I spoke to Dr. Jones about why she started ClinicianFest, her vision for the future of the conference, and what she’s learned along the way. Enjoy!
Where did you get the idea for ClinicianFest?
It started because of peanut butter and jelly. Seriously.
I have a son with a peanut allergy so I make him a spread from marshmallows. I had this realization that I found a way to include my son with everyone else, but I couldn’t figure out how to do that in my own field. So ClinicianFest was born.
I’m a big proponent of don’t just complain. Get out and build. If what you need doesn’t exist, get out and make it. Partner with voices who will help amplify it.
I’m an outlier when it comes to being a clinician. I don’t have the traditional approaches. I meet the client where they are. I know I’m not the only therapist out there who doesn’t own a collection of cardigans.
How do you even start putting on a virtual conference?
The first thing is selecting an online platform. I did my due diligence and found LiveWebinar, which I prefer to Zoom. It needed to be able to support individuals from all walks of life without selling their information. Security was super important to me.
Next is content. Our first year we had 30 presenters. The second year we had 60 folks. This year, we had over 225 people apply to present.
Then you need credibility. I went to every national organization and everyone said no. I went to NAMI, NASW, APA. Everyone told me to come back when we were bigger. So I went to universities and they took a chance on me.
Today, we partner with over 216 vendors, agencies, private practitioners, and community support programs to support aid in communities with scarce mental healthcare access and resources. We have assisted over 1,100 clients in getting the care and aid they need on their journey.
How is ClinicianFest different?
I didn’t want us to just educate clinicians. Those conferences already exist. What else does this industry need?
There are so many people who work in mental health who are not your typical therapists. Who else is out there using marshmallows with jelly and calling it PB&J?
We want to bring them together to share knowledge, engage with, and educate each other to heighten our capabilities as practitioners and better care for our populations.
How much does it cost to put on?
We have an $8,500 budget. That pays for the online platform and small honorarium for speakers. We pay our legal team. Protect yourself. Secure your brand. Having a lawyer is a great investment.
We also have a small group of designers, marketers, and content creators that manage our social media and email.
Did you form a separate LLC?
Yes, separate the money. We have our own business entity, bank accounts, board of directors, everything. We even went out and trademarked ClinicianFest.
What’s your vision for the future of ClinicianFest?
In 2025, we plan on being boots on the ground in New Orleans. I don’t think we’ll ever move away from virtual as an option because we want to make it accessible to as many people as possible.
There’s nothing wrong with profiting. I want the mental health community to know that. Make your money, grab your bag, get your coins. At the same time, do so without excluding a whole population who needs what you’re trying to build.
Any final takeaways for therapists interested in starting a virtual conference?
Be brave. Somebody has to lead from the front of the line. Why not you?
Everyone is fighting for a seat at the table. Get out and build your own.
Thank you Dr. Jones for sharing with us!
ClinicainFest is offering Therapy Marketer readers an exclusive discount for this year’s conference taking place virtually on May 4-5, 2023.
Use code THERAPYMARKETER to save $20 when you register today.