Edit: Thank you all for boosting and answering.
I would love to make the Open Space format better known in the cybersecurity context. I think it is a valuable addition to existing formats such as traditional conferences or #BSides
If you would like to learn more about Open Space see my follow up posts
If you participated in Open Space events (in any domain) please share your experience.
Have you ever been at a conference with excellent presentations, knowledgeable and entertaining speakers BUT what benefited you most happend in the breaks, at the conference dinner, or in the hallways?
You had surprising conversation, learned new thing even about topics you are an expert on, learned about things you weren't aware of you now use daily, developed ideas which are still with you, networked and got to know new people?
If you had this experience, wouldn't it be great to have more of this? Maximize the serendipity and the pleasant surprises of hallway conversations?
Here is where the #OpenSpace conference format comes into play. It provides structure to have an event entirely consists of "hallway" conversations.
To accomplish this, you only need a few things. A theme, an interested and committed group, time and a place (and a guide).
This and following the 4 principles:
Whoever comes is the right people,
Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.
When it starts is the right time.
When it’s over it’s over.
and the Law of Movement
”If you find yourself in a situation where you are not contributing or learning, move somewhere where you can.”
Since I got to experience this format, I got to love it. Opposed to traditional events, were I often come home tired and exhausted, an Open Space #Unconference gets me energized and buzzing with new ideas.
@realn2s@ez Adding that the four principles became five several years back, with the HO-recommended addition of “Wherever it happens is the right place.” There’s a great story behind it too.
Introducing the event, clarifying organisational issues and explaining the Open Space format. The 4 principles and the law of movement are introduced, and you will learn about bees and butterflies.
(both describe participants, butterflies seem to just hang out, and don't appear to do a lot. Nevertheless, they might just be involved in the most important discussion.
The bees "fly" from discussion to discussion and cross-polinate ideas)
Marketplace
Participants prepare their session proposal on a big post-it with the title and their name or nick. They queue and if it their turn the quickly introduce themself and the topic and then select a room and a timeslot.
Topic can range from "I know a lot and would like to share" to "I don't know anything about the topic, can someone teach me?", it can be information sharing or asking for help and discussing situations sharing experience. If you need a long slot, you usually can combine slots. You are not restricted to the defined room, you usually can pick any location which suits your session (and other people can find it)
When there are no more session proposals, or the schedule is full the marketplace us closed.
Open Space (Sessions)
Time to work. As a proposing participant you should be at the location at the time you choose.
You might have a room full of people, but it's also possible that there are only a few people or even only you. Following the principle "whoever comes is the right people" everything is ok. If you are alone, you can either use the time to think or research your topic. Or you use the law of movement, and you join another session.
If you are a participant, you can leave a session anytime. Not only to join another session, but also to take care of yourself, take a break, take a nap, or have a drink.
Breaks
There will be scheduled breaks. Some short to switch rooms, some longer to have coffee and a snack, or to have lunch.
Evening News.
When the sessions for the days are over, the group comes together and whoever wants can share what they took away from the day. There might be some organisation announcements.
For multi day event there might be a mini marketplace for evening sessions, activities in the evening or in the morning.
Dinner
Evening activities and sessions
Sleep
Morning activities
Breakfast
Morning News
For a multiday event there will be a quick news cycle. Anyone who like can share anything that happend since the Evening News and organization issues can be discussed.
This will be followed by a
Marketplace
Open Space
Breaks
and so on.
On the last day there will be a
Closing Session
Anyone can share what they took with them from the whole conference. If it isn't a one-time event feedback gets collected for the follow up.
There even have been some #Cybersecurity Open Space events (at least one, the #SecCamp Cologne)
I really like the format and would like to see it more in #InfoSec es well.
If you would like to experience a security themed Open Space event you are in luck.
Following the saying "Be The Change You Want To See In The World" I present you the Open Security Conference #OSCo24 planned for fall of 2024.
If you like to learn more and would like to be informed on updates, please follow @OSCo
@realn2s Just learned of them and attended a few thanks to the "Software Crafters Unconference" and the folks who run it (a few of whom are coworkers).
We ran a product, engineering, and CX one at our last off-site and it was a blast.
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