Unconferences Explained

What is an Unconference?

Unconference is a participant-driven meeting. Unlike traditional conferences, unconferences have more engaging and interactive format by allowing attendees to set agenda and host their own sessions. Goal is to prioritize conversation over presentation.

How does it work?

The topics and schedule are generated by the attendees on the spot. Participants can hold many types of sessions where topic could be just about anything – a discussion , a burning question, a lightning talk, a project demo, a rant, a pair-programming session, or whatever.

Usually the event starts out with a welcome session followed by the marketplace. The marketplace is where the agenda is scheduled. Participants who wants to hold a session announces their topics and picks a time slot and a room. Later on the participants join breakout sessions based on their interest and relevance. Finally everyone gathers in the main area again to share their experiences or what they learnt from the sessions. This completes the unconference.

Marketplace (Image from Agilecrete)

Why unconferences make sense?

Budd A, et al. explains that typically, the organizing committee decide on the main theme, announces Call for Papers to review potential topics and the selected speakers share their work through presentations in traditional conferences. However, they add that the real value comes from interactive discussions.

“The most stimulating discussions generally take place over coffee breaks when attendees can interact with each other and discuss various topics, including their own interests, in a more informal manner while expanding their own professional networks.”

Four principles and One Law [1], [2], [3]

Although the unconferences are quite flexible in format, there are simple rules to encourage participants to get the most out of it.

• Whoever comes is the right people: It’s not how many people come or even who comes that counts but quality of the interactions and conversations. It’s the passion and interest that people share about the topics that makes difference. [link]
• Whenever it starts is the right time: It reminds participants that “spirit and creativity do not run on the clock.”
• Whatever happens is the only thing that could have: It reminds participants that once something has happened, it’s done—and no amount of fretting, complaining or otherwise rehashing can change that. Move on. [link]
• When it’s over, it’s over: If the discussion feels complete before the session time, move away from it onto something else [link]

Law of Two Feet (The Law of Mobility)

If at any time during our time together you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet, go someplace else where you think you'll be more productive.