Open Spaces - A Micro Conference on the Fly
Details
This month will be a new format - Open Spaces. Conversations with folks in the community make it clear there is a desire for more discussion. Open Spaces will facilitate that.
How Open Spaces Works:
The first 10-15 minutes will be folks lining up to propose topics for discussion. These will go on post-it notes. Let's say 10 topics are proposed.
Each person present will take three votes and distribute them to topics as they. The 8 biggest vote getters will be "programmed".
Now imagine 4 tables with seating for up to 10 people each. We will put a topic at each of these tables. Folks go to the table they have an interest in.
The person who propose the topic starts the conversation.
30 minutes later we wrap up take 5 minutes, then the next 4 topics go.
BOOM! Micro-conference.
About Topics & Discussion
Imagine a student proposing a topic about resume readiness. A group of pros and students land at the table and talk best practices for 30 minutes. Maybe a few decide to exchange and review each others resumes.
Imagine Neil suggesting he'd like to explain his latest hardware project to those interested in Analog to Digital Controllers. Folks sitting at this table would do that.
Imagine me asking folks to learn how to run a Lean Coffee style meeting for future formats like this and a few folks sitting down with me.
YOU NEED NOT BE ANY EXPERT, ONLY CURIOUS. Propose a topic you want to know more about. Or, share something you are excited about. Or ... What is clear to me is that we are composed of nearly 200 brilliant technologists with a penchant for sharing. So this is me getting out the way and facilitating what the group wants to share.
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This may sound whacky. However, I have facilitated this format in numerous settings and at sizes from our typical 20 - 30 attendees up to 750 conference goers. I've seen it employed successfully in the 1000's.
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Why?
We are a heterogeneous group. Webdev, software, security, devops, networking, product managers, UX ... We have shown a curiosity for our own domains and for those surrounding us.
This format lets multiple domains function at the same time and facilitates this cross pollination and strengthens us.
I hope you will join me in the experiment.