Session: Conference 101

Overview

Getting started organizing a conference.

First things

• Know why - Why are you doing this? What do you want to happen?
• Get help - Find people who share your vision. You can’t do this solo.
• Set the tone - What kind of community do you want? What behavior fits?

Basics that work

• Unconference style - Structure should help people participate, not stop them.
• Reach everyone - Actively invite people from different places and backgrounds.
• Breaks matter - People learn from talking to each other as much as from talks.
• Short talks - Boring talks kill the vibe.
• Plan but stay flexible - Have a schedule but leave room for stuff to happen.

Big decisions

• Where - Pick a place where people can hang out. Where they can explore a bit.
• How long - 1 day? 2 days? Extra time with no scheduled talks helps mingling.
• Free or pay - Free is easier for people to come to. Costs more on your side.
• Language - English-only or multiple languages? Affects who can come and how much work.
• Who’s it for - Experienced people? Newcomers? Mix?

Do

• Plan ahead
• Write down what you learn
• Think about what went wrong, but after the event
• Ask for help
• Start simple

Don’t

• Over-plan. Leave room for people to make things happen.
• Assume people won’t help. They usually will.
• Make food crappy. People remember food.
• Try to do this alone.
• Wait until the last minute to figure out speakers.