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With Startup Weekend Edmonton coming up in just a few days time, as an organizing committee, we’ve been discussing why different types of people might participate. Many people who participate in Startup Weekends around the globe are developers, but really, since a Startup Weekend is about learning, there is not only room for participants building a concept, but people testing, writing, designing, planning, discussing and brainstorming — many roles which could be filled by someone who doesn’t necessarily bring software development skills to the table.

Traditionally, I don’t bring a lot of deep technical value to the table; in fact, I would need much more than 54 short hours to write any code, regardless of the complexity (and we’re definitely not counting HTML here). My reasons are much like anyone else, but I thought I would list a few here to help people who might not think they

Every Weekend needs to start with an idea.

Come to Startup Weekend ready to share and collaborate on a new ideas. Or an old one. Next weekend will bring 75+ people together to turn a nebulous idea into something somewhat workable — maybe that idea could be yours.

Speaking of HTML, learn a technical skillset.

There are lots of gaps in terms of skills for any team pulled together at Startup Weekend. Learning is a critical component to the weekend, and don’t just talk startup, do startup. There’s really nothing to lose by taking on something outside your comfort zone.

Think, design, write, test.

At the last Startup Weekend Edmonton, I was part of a team building a social gaming experience centered on environmental factors. While several people were focused on creating the framework, the Sunday night demo wouldn’t have been very compelling without a brand, user interface, content or strategy.

Startup Weekend is not the place to write your business plan, but you can definitely use the opportunity to think about your business model, how the product is going to be used in market and how people will interact with it. These questions form the basis of any good decisions around user experience — regardless if you’re at Startup Weekend or not.

Testing is a critical component which goes hand-in-hand with planning and content development, and avoids disappointment on Sunday night (and we all know that developers don’t test their own code very well anyways).

Start building your network.

It doesn’t matter if your weekend creates a successful launch, Startup Weekend here in Edmonton is a critical component to our Startup Edmonton annual cycle. Use the opportunity to meet other people in the community, including entrepreneurs, technologists, thought leaders and mentors.

Have fun.

When I describe the Startup Weekend experience to new attendees, I liken it to a weekend at summer camp as a child. You get to meet new people, try new things and maybe work a little outside your comfort zone. Unfortunately, there aren’t any campfires or acoustic guitars, but you can still have fun and make some new friends.

Be a part of something bigger than yourself.

With Startup Weekends happening all around the world (and our second one happening here in town), you have the opportunity to be a part of a global movement. And, who knows, maybe a new opportunity will be waiting for you come Monday. That is, if you make it through the 54 hours.