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Conferences can be great places to share ideas, learn new things and connect with other people in your industry. But if you’ve ever found that these moments tend to occur on the fringes of the main event, over snatched coffees between sessions or dinner at the end of the day, you should consider attending an ‘unconference’.
In this article, unconference expert Julie Drybrough offers advice for those thinking of attending an unconference for the first time, and tips for anyone planning their own event.
What Exactly is An Unconference?
‘Unconference’ means an event with no speakers, a loose structure, no fixed agenda, no selling or promotional activity.
We set aside space to learn, experiment, network and reflect. The basic premise is that the intelligence and answers you need are in the room – you just have to go and find them.
The ‘loose structure’ is important. When people arrive, there isn’t a set schedule to follow. Instead, participants might receive a note before the event outlining the main topics of discussion. There has to be some semblance of a core purpose to the event.
The agenda for the day is formed by participants, which leads to an overall structure for the time you have together. Agenda-forming tends to happen right at the start of the day, through an ‘Open Space’ process, which is actually quite rigorous. You need that rigor to help the system self-organize faster.
What Does an Unconference Offer That a Traditional Conference Doesn’t?
An unconference is a non-passive experience. Conferences tend to involve a lot of sitting whilst someone with great knowledge or authority bestows their wisdom upon you. The audience is constantly on receiving mode.
Unconferences require people to show up, participate and exchange opinions as well as listen. The standard anecdote is that, at conferences, the best conversations you have take place over coffee in the breaks between sessions. An unconference is an extended, excellent coffee break.
It is much more equitable, much more learner-led. There is a structure and a framing but, within that, there is greater freedom for participants to glean what they need, rather than what the keynote speaker decides is useful.
Do You Have any Tips for First-Time Attendees?
If you want to get the most out of the experience, I’d do some research in advance. You need to bring your brain and, the first time you arrive, it can feel a little overwhelming. Especially if you are a structure-junkie.
If you have an issue, spend some time thinking about what, really, you would like to get out of the conversation. Mostly, I tell people to relax, enjoy the experience and not try too hard.
Unconference.net has a great, concise guide for first-time attendees.
What Advice Would You Give Someone Who's Thinking of Organizing an Unconference?
A good unconference requires a good facilitation team. It needs care on the run-in; talking to participants through email or social platforms (like Slack or Viva Engage) allows them to introduce themselves and discover common interests. It helps settle the nerves a little.
It needs a clear steer at the beginning of the day so everyone understands what’s happening. It needs food and drink to sustain the participants It needs physical space so people can move about easily – and quiet spaces so you can drop out for a bit. It needs a lot of Post-it notes and paper.
A good unconference looks friendly, connected, dynamic. It’s a creative process, so there tends to be a lot of writing and drawing and people showing each other stuff. It has a buzz.
What I love about unconferences is the instant feedback. You can prep and ‘plant’ a session, but if there’s no interest, the discussion is dull or people leave before the end, that instantly tells you what you need to change. You host them because people get a different experience and many have profound lightbulb moments.
Are Conferences and Unconferences Mutually Exclusive?
I guess there is a hybrid in there if you needed there to be. The unconference format, in its purest sense, denies authority and elevated expertise. It states that everyone has a contribution to make. You can learn from everyone. The subtext of a conference is decidedly different.
The meeting place of the two is workshops at conferences, where participants are invited to contribute. It’s becoming more common as conference organizers realize they are essentially running expensive lectures. There is also a big difference when it comes to cost. I’ve never seen an expensive unconference. There’s no need for the high ticket prices you occasionally see with conferences: no speaker fees; no tech requirements. Just people in a room with good food and great conversation.
Where Can I Find Out About Unconferences in My Area?
If you’ve been inspired to attend an unconference, Twitter and Eventbrite are great places to look for events in your area. You can also find out more about organizing an unconference in this Eventbrite blog post.
Julie Drybrough is an organizational consultant, coach, facilitator and founder of Fuchsia Blue. With a wide client base, she works across the UK and Europe to unlock transformational change in people and systems.
