FutureCampOrganizer’s Guide 1.0

May 2016FutureCamp

Hello!

Thank you for downloading this Organizer’s Guide for FUTURE CAMP. I have applied the format used by unconferences, and combined it with conference-style sessions on subjects that concern the future to create the concept of FUTURE CAMP.

I invite you to run a FUTURE CAMP in your town or city.

Let’s create a global movement of futurists and open-minded people that think about the future.

Nikolas Badminton Futurist & FUTURE CAMP Founder www.nikolasbadminton.com

Image courtesy of Jordan Matthew Yerman, 2016

FutureCamp

FUTURE CAMP is an unconference that brings together the keenest minds in your city, town, or community to discuss and debate where the future is taking us. An unconference is a loosely structured conference emphasizing the informal exchange of information and ideas between participants, rather than following a conventionally structured program of events (source: wikipedia). Attendees create the conference together at the beginning of the day to look at subjects including, but are not limited to: Technology and Humanity, Transhumanism, Cyborgs, Big Data, Wearables, Internet of Things, Medicine, Transport, Finance, Agriculture, Cities, Government, Education, Ethics, Virtual and Augmented Reality, The App Economy, Humanity, Love, Sex and intimacy, Mindfulness, Military, Psychedelics, Work, Security, Privacy, Music, Media, Advertising, Finance, Manufacturing, Fashion, Transport and Automotive, Industries, Creativity, and other areas of interest that affect the world today and how society, and communities operate.

What is FUTURE CAMP?

There are a number of different session types that can be suggested at FUTURE CAMP: •Presentations - 15 to 20 mins with visual aids followed by Q & A. •Discussions - Smaller groups discuss specific areas in a round table format. •Debates - Two people present arguments for and against specific subjects. •Show & Tell - Do you have some future idea or technology or an invention to show? If so,

then showcase it. •Writing Groups - Smaller groups get together to write short fiction stories - typically 1

page in length - that illustrate future scenarios. Each story can then be shared and discussed.

FUTURE CAMP Session Types

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FutureCampLicensing & Principles

FutureCamp

FUTURE CAMP is available via Creative Commons under an ‘Attribution’ license, please read the legal code - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon this work, even commercially, as long as you credit ‘Nikolas Badminton, Futurist’ for the original creation and inform him during the initial planning stage of your event.

We want FUTURE CAMP to go global so take the step forward, download this guide, and contact Nikolas Badminton (nik@nikolasbadminton.com) to start planning.

You, the Organizer, will be liable for any costs, remunerations, legal costs, etc., when running your own FUTURE CAMP.

FUTURE CAMP CC Licensing

FutureCamp

The following principle must be followed when planning, and running, a FUTURE CAMP event:

1. Any proceeds made from the event must go towards providing refreshments and snacks alongside remunerating any event space rental, and staff required to run the event.

2. Sessions must not promote a product, or company, exclusively. 3. Attendees will treat each other with respect, and on an equal basis. 4. Event photography, video, or other content must attribute the creator(s) when shared

publicly, either on social media platforms, in media, or via other electronic means. 5. Have fun, make friends, open your minds.

FUTURE CAMP Principles

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FutureCamp

Planning the Event

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1. Finding a venue 2. Finding sponsors 3. Creating a core event team 4. Setting up ticket sales 5. The day before 6. The morning of 7. Running the event 8.Ending the event

Planning the event

FutureCamp

FutureCamp

The ideal way to host FUTURE CAMP is to have access to a venue with 2 areas for presentations and debates that can seat up to 50 people, and 2 or 3 areas for discussions, show and tells, and writing groups to congregate. Do ensure that the venue is accessible to all, provides washroom facilities, and is well lit. Co-working spaces, colleges/universities, and large company presentation facilities typically work the best.

Involve the Venue Manager in the planning from the beginning and make sure that there is a good line of communication. Also, ensure that there is an adequate level of liability coverage for the venue and for the event. Please consult with the Venue Manager on what is provided and what is needed.

1. Finding a venue

FutureCamp

There are two kinds of sponsorships that can be considered. Sponsorship-in-kind, and Sponsorship in dollars.

•Sponsorship-in-kind - This is the best sort. The venue, local company, or contributor that can provide services, snacks, refreshments , etc., for free.

•Paid Sponsorship - If you absolutely need to raise some funds to pay for the venue, or anything else, then do so. But, do not promise to give the sponsor the email list of attendees, the ability to over-brand the event, or to take over the running of the event.

Both helps keep the ticket price down to the minimum of what is needed, which is very important to get a good group of diverse people together.

2. Finding sponsors

FutureCamp

There are 4 key roles that need to be undertaken. Some can be combined. Remember not to overburden any person with too much work or responsibility. Do share the responsibilities amongst several people.

•Organizer - This is the person that takes executive responsibility of the event and arranges all logistics and agreements regarding the venue, and any monetary duties (collecting monies, and paying suppliers/volunteers)

•MC & Host - Typically this is the Organizer as well (for <100-person events) •Door Person - One or two people to check ticket holders and guests into the event

space. •Session Moderators - One to three people that help the event sessions run on time and

ensure that the subject matter stays on track.

3. Creating a core event team

FutureCamp

If the Venue Manager has a preferred platform then seek to set up the event there. Do keep any extraneous charges to a minimum - no-one loves mysterious ‘Booking Fees’ or ‘Event Fees’. If the venue is forcing you to use an antiquated, or overly fees-based system, then consider switching venues.

If there is no preferred platform, please use an available online platform like Eventbrite, Picatic, EventGrid, or similar platform.

4. Setting up ticket sales

FutureCamp

Email attendees in the morning with an overview, and run of the day. Reiterate the location of the venue as well, and what kind of refreshments and facilities are available.

Speak with the team, and the Venue Manager, on logistics, and any changes that may have occurred.

Buy anything required for the event (you should do this a few days ahead for non-perishable items).

Get a good night’s sleep. You’ll need it.

5. The day before

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Have the responsible venue person in attendance 1 hour before the event.

Have the attendee list (paid and guests) available for the check-in. Also, have a float of cash for people paying at the door (if that is allowed by the venue).

Lay out drinks, snacks, and other refreshments.

Place a whiteboard or area for the agenda to be created in a prominent place. Have sticky notes, pens and voting stickers on a table next to the agenda area.

6. The morning of

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Welcome people as they arrive. This is an accessible event and everyone is on the same level and will work together to actively build connections.

Always have a ‘Welcome’ kick-off session at the beginning where the MC & Host introduces the day, how the unconference works, and any speakers that will present to help get things going.

Have the team ensure that timing is working but do be flexible. Timing will change throughout the day. There is plenty of time for everything however do not let sessions get out of synchronization with each other.

Call people into a central meeting place at the beginning of the day, after breaks, and at the end of the day.

7. Running the event

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09:00: Welcome 09:15: Featured Speakers 10:15: Break for ideation, session postings, and voting. 11:00: Structure of the day 11:15: Unconference Sessions 11:45: Unconference Sessions 12:15: Break for lunch 1:15: Unconference Sessions 2:00: Break 2:15: Unconference Sessions 2:45: Break 3:00: Unconference Sessions 4:00: Decompression

Sample AgendaNote:

Write the agenda up on a whiteboard, or on a wall using sticky notes, so that it is easy to adjust.

It is highly likely that the timings will change as the day progresses so communicate clearly when it does.

FutureCamp

Before the event, set up a Google Form (or similar) asking for session submissions with full name, email address, session format, and session title.

At the event, write out the prior submissions onto sticky notes with the information and place them in suggested timings.

Then have sticky notes and pens available for the attendees that want to do sessions to write their session idea with their full name, session format, session title, time, and ideal room.

Then have the attendees take stickers (dots, stars, smiley faces etc.) and mark the sessions they want to attend.

Session Posting & Voting

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Here is an example agenda.

The Organizer and the MC & Host can look through and adjust in collaboration with the posters to ensure a good agenda with no conflicts or duplication.

Some attendees that suggest sessions may also choose to join forces if their sessions are similar.

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Let each person who wants to host the session introduce and run it.

Have Session Moderators attend and/or check it to keep the flow going and to give 5 minute, 2 minute, and session wrap up warnings.

After each session have people head to new sessions or scheduled breaks.

If sessions are running long with great discourse, invite those interested in continuing the discussion outside of the space so as to not interrupt the next session.

Running the sessions

FutureCamp

Set up a hashtag for the event, typically #FutureCamp<location> e.g. #FutureCampYVR, #FutureCampYYC, #FutureCampLAX, #FutureCampNYC, #FutureCampBoston, #FutureCampTokyo, #FutureCampLondon, #FutureCampBerlin, #FutureCampParis etc.

Tell the attendees what the hashtag is and display it prominently at the event.

Invite people to take pictures and share on social. Ask if it’s OK to take pictures of sessions, and get permission from the attendees. If some attendees do not want to have their pictures taken then have them say at the beginning of each session, and refrain from taking pictures.

Have the Organizer collect pictures after the event for sharing with all attendees via a social or image-sharing platform of choice.

Photography & sharing

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Welcome people back to the main meeting area.

Summarize the day and thank everyone for an amazing day in creating an amazing FUTURE CAMP.

If people are interested, then invite people to congregate in a local bar, coffeehouse, or wherever to celebrate the day.

Congratulations! You’ve just made the world a better place by running FUTURE CAMP.

8. Ending the event

FutureCamp Image courtesy of Jordan Matthew Yerman, 2016

FutureCamp Image courtesy of Jordan Matthew Yerman, 2016

FutureCamp Image courtesy of Jordan Matthew Yerman, 2016

FutureCamp Image courtesy of Jordan Matthew Yerman, 2016

FutureCamp Image courtesy of Jordan Matthew Yerman, 2016

FutureCamp Image courtesy of Nikolas Badminton, 2016

FutureCampCreative Resources

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FutureCamp

The FUTURE CAMP logo is made using KiloGram. You can download that here - http://www.fontspace.com/kallegraphics/kilogram. We ask that you use this logo on all materials to keep things consistent.

Font

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Creative flair

Feel free to create posters, banners, produce videos, or whatever. Just attribute any shared image, video, and text media by adding the logo and the CC Attribution Agreement symbol (see the bottom left of this page as an example).

Always credit the photographers and videographers when sharing their work and do ask for permission.

Also let us know when you do this as we love to see what is done. Just email Nikolas at nik@nikolasbadminton.com.

FutureCampThe people that count.

FutureCamp

FutureCamp

The FUTURE CAMP format was first used in Vancouver, BC, Canada on April 30th, 2016.

The success of the event came down to the hard work of a team of people that have been putting together great events with me since 2013 - Cyborg Camp YVR, From Now, Dark Futures, and PRODUCT.

Thanks, in no particular order, for involvement, innovation, and encouragement goes to Evelyn Wong, Meena Sandhu, Kharis O’Connell, Boris Mann, Nick Black, Amber Case, Sarah Tesla and the MAKE team, Kyle and the Brainstation team, Creative Mornings Vancouver, Velour Productions, Makerlabs Vancouver, Vancouver Futurists Meetup, any sponsor that stood up and believed in us, and all of the presenters and attendees that have come to the events and made them wildly successful. And, YOU! For reading this and taking up the mantle to run your own FUTURE CAMP.

Here’s to the future…

FutureCampOrganizers Guide 1.0

May 2016FutureCamp