Open Spaces

Open Spaces are **self-organizing one-hour meetup-like events** which happen in parallel with the main conference. They are held in meeting rooms within the PyCon convention center. There are actually more hours of Open Spaces than there are of talks! While most of the conference is planned months in advance, Open Spaces are created "just in time" by PyCon attendees during the conference. Open Spaces let you self-gather, self-define, and self-organize any way you like. One way to keep up-to-date on the latest Open Spaces schedule is to subscribe to the Twitter hashtag [`#PyConOpenSpaces`](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PyConOpenSpaces) or follow [`@openspacesbot`](https://twitter.com/openspacesbot). The 2018 PyCon Open Spaces are sponsored by Heroku, Vertical Knowledge, Progressive Insurance, and PythonTek. <div align="center" id="sponsor_logos"> <a href="https://www.heroku.com/home"> <img src="https://us.pycon.org/2018/site_media/media/sponsor_files/heroku-logotype-horizontal-purple_1_Vq0qxCK.png" alt="https://www.heroku.com/home" width="50%"></a> <a href="https://www.vertical-knowledge.com"> <img src="https://us.pycon.org/2018/site_media/media/sponsor_files/vk_logo_blue_2017.jpg" alt="https://www.vertical-knowledge.com" width="50%"></a> <a href="https://www.progressive.com/"> <img src="https://us.pycon.org/2018/site_media/media/sponsor_files/PGR_LOGO_c8fXWj2.png" alt="https://www.progressive.com/" width="50%"></a> <a href="https://pythontek.com/"> <img src="https://us.pycon.org/2018/site_media/media/sponsor_files/PythonTek_full.png" alt="https://pythontek.com/" width="50%"></a> We are very grateful to our sponsors for providing attendees with free WiFi and charging stations! </div> ## How do I participate in an Open Space? It's pretty easy: Just show up :) During PyCon, there will be Open Spaces boards somewhere near the registration desk. The boards act as a time table for all the Open Spaces, so you know where and when to go for the Open Spaces you're interested in. If a topic is not listed yet, find an open time slot and add it! Open Spaces topic cards are included in the goodie bag you receive at registration. ## What Open Spaces are there? There are Open Spaces on many subjects a bunch of PyCon attendees would like to discuss. Since the PyCon attendees are a diverse bunch, so are the Open Spaces. In past years, we've had a mani/pedi party, a feminist hacking space, an AcroYoga space, and a board games room. There's also plenty of the usual suspects of technical subjects, from computer security to your favorite Python project to professional occupations like DevOps. ## Where and when are the Open Spaces? The Open Spaces are in a set of of dedicated rooms during all three of the conference days (Friday 5/11, Saturday 5/12, Sunday 5/13). Some rooms may be needed for other events during portions of some days; please consult the Open Spaces boards for the final word on what's going on where.  ## How do I host an Open Space? For PyCon 2018, we will be using the Open Space cards that were re-introduced a few years back. These are small postcard sized cards with a short explanation of what Open Spaces are. The back side of that card is for hosting Open Spaces. Just fill in the name and a short description of your Open Space, and then pin your card on the Open Space board in the room and time slot you want. It’s also a great idea to add your Twitter handle to the card in case anyone interested in attending your Open Space has a question or would like to contact you about it. The cards will be made available in the goodie bag which you will receive at registration. Extra cards will be available at the Open Spaces boards. In order to promote your Open Space we encourage you to tweet about it and use the hashtag #PyConOpenSpace to make sure people see your tweets. ## Ideas for Open Spaces Here are a few ideas for potential Open Space topics and activities: * Hacker space (maker projects) that use Python (e.g. in Raspbery Pis, iOT, home automation, robots / drones / blimps autopiloted with Python) * Hacking/networking/devops * Data visualization/science * Natural language processing and generation (e.g. chatbots) * Quantified Self * Diversity initiatives, for example a feminist hackerspace * A space for organizers - of conferences, workshops, diversity initiatives (Django Girls, PyLadies, etc.) * Framework specific Open Spaces, for example, Django or Flask * How to contribute to open source - a help / mentoring group for beginners * Git * Support - how to avoid burnout * Recruitment workshops If there's a certain Open Space you'd love to see at PyCon but you don't want to host it yourself, please add it to our list and maybe someone else will take up the topic and host an Open Space about it. ## Planned Open Spaces If you have an idea for an Open Space, and a day and time when you want to meet, please [email us](mailto:pycon-openspaces@python.org) and we will list it here on this page. Please note that you will still have to add a card to the Open Spaces boards at PyCon to officially book a time slot for your Open Space. Planned Open Spaces so far: - Artificial intelligence and how it affects Africa and other developing worlds, Opetunde Adepoju, 2nd conference day - import antigravity (AcroYoga), Chelsea Emery - Python trainers, Reuven Lerner (likely mid-day Friday) - The Knitting & Fiber Arts Open Space is open to people who practice any fiber art (knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross stitch, embroidery. etc.), and is an opportunity to work on projects and socialize. Hosted by Laura Hampton. - Pipenv, Kenneth Reitz - Mental Health, Melanie Crutchfield & Anna Ossowski - Python Packaging: An open space to discuss the current and future landscape of packaging tools. Hosted by the Python Packaging Authority (coordinated by Paul Ganssle) - MoT Open Space, specifically for folks who keep kosher and are getting kosher meals at the conference. Especially as the conference happens over the Sabbath, it'd be useful to connect with others who'll be there so we might be able to share a meal, or discuss food options. Hosted by JP Bader, mid-day on Friday. - IoT in Production, hosted by Mohamad Zein & Tyler Wiersing - Next-Generation of Virtual Personal Assistants, hosted by Gamal Bohouta, on Friday - Formal methods, TLA+, PlusCal, Alloy, etc., hosted by Jay Parlar and Hillel Wayne