Independent podcasters from across the District will set up their microphones and laptops during the city’s first-ever “DC Podfest” conference at the Wonderbread Factory (641 S Street NW) in Shaw next weekend.

Co-organizer Jennifer Crawford said her aim is to bring passionate podcasters together to share insights, swap tips, talk shop and of course, record a few shows.

“A year ago, I started looking for something like this locally,” Crawford said. “I was looking for people that could geek out with me a little about podcasting, and I was surprised to find there really wasn’t anything like that in the area.”

So Crawford decided to blaze a trail. Together with podcaster Alex Vidales, she constructed an “ambitious” local conference piece-by-piece.

The end product was a way for local podcasters to “learn how to make their shows better … and really drive home that message that it is a powerful platform,” Crawford added.

During the show, podcasters will be able to buy equipment, meet potential guests or advertisers and mingle with their peers. But the show isn’t just for pod people, Crawford said.

“If you’re not a podcaster, you can benefit by being a guest on a podcast,” she said. “For potential guests and businesses who might want to advertise on a podcast, we’re going to let them talk with one another, speed-dating style.”

Additionally, attendees can buy tickets to watch as local podcasts such as Women of Uncertain Age and the Carolyn and Joe Show are recorded live.

And if you’re interested in starting your own podcast, Crawford said, vendors will be on site selling the tools you’ll need to start casting.

“We will have affordable podcasting setups for sale,” said Crawford. “They’ll walk out able to get their podcast off the ground.”

Tickets for individual podcast recording sessions cost $11.34, and an all-access conference pass costs $93.11.

 Photo via Facebook.com/dcpodfest