Dial in the Details [Feb. 14, 2012, 8:45 a.m.]
You can run an event at home, at a restaurant, in a classroom. All you need is computers, an internet connection and an idea about what you want to hack on. The space for your event ideally offers both a large room where the group can meet as a whole, as well as “break-out” spaces, where smaller sets of participants can have discussions and collaborate.
In particular, an optimal venue for a participatory event has:
- Capacity to seat all participants in a circle in the main meeting area
- Ideally 1 breakout space/room per 15 participants
- Wireless internet, or an ethernet jack where a wireless router can be connected.
- No fixed-in-place furniture; collaborative events go better when participants face each other without any furniture between them
Other considerations include:
- Cost: If you're lucky, you can find a free or cheap place.
- Catering: All that cognitive collaborative work making will make people hungry! Just something to think about :)
- Confirm hours of access, and verify that you can be in 1 hour before the event start time and stay up to 1 hour after event closing time
- Ask about any potential conflicts within the space. If other people/orgs will be using space and overhearing proceedings, make sure to explore potential noise and resource conflicts (e.g. limited bathrooms or a slow internet connection for the facility)
Post a photo of your space and comment on at least one peers' post.