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Barcamp: The Method for Your Events

Introduction

Barcamps are a moderation method for large groups and are suitable for around 30-300 people. In German, they are also known as "Unkonferenz" or "Ad-hoc-Nicht-Konferenz" and are open meetings with open workshops whose content and Ablauf are determined by the participants themselves.

What is a Barcamp?

Barcamps are an international network of user-generated conferences that primarily focus on technology and the web. They are open, participatory workshop events whose content is provided by the participants themselves.

At Barcamps, there are no fixed speakers or pre-planned topics. Instead, the participants themselves determine the content of the workshops and discussions.

This makes Barcamps a very open and flexible format that allows for a wide range of topics to be covered.

The Benefits of Barcamps

There are many benefits to hosting a Barcamp, including:

• Increased participation: Barcamps encourage participation from all attendees, as everyone is free to propose and lead sessions.
• Diverse perspectives: Barcamps bring together people from a variety of backgrounds and expertise, which can lead to new and innovative ideas.
• Community building: Barcamps help to build community among attendees, as they provide a space for people to connect and learn from each other.
• Low cost: Barcamps are typically free or low-cost to attend, making them accessible to a wide range of people.

How to Host a Barcamp

If you're interested in hosting a Barcamp, there are a few things you'll need to do:

• Choose a date and location: The date and location of your Barcamp will depend on your target audience and the availability of space.
• Promote your Barcamp: Once you've chosen a date and location, you'll need to promote your Barcamp to attract attendees.
• Set up the space: On the day of your Barcamp, you'll need to set up the space so that it's conducive to participation and collaboration.
• Facilitate the Barcamp: As the facilitator of your Barcamp, you'll be responsible for keeping the event on track and ensuring that everyone has a chance to participate.

Barcamps are a great way to bring people together to share ideas and learn from each other. If you're looking for a way to host an event that is both engaging and productive, a Barcamp is a great option.

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