[OSList] Holding Open Space for 2,000 attendees

Tue May 31 08:48:02 PDT 2016

Hi Meredith,

I did a 2-day Open Space for 2,100 in 2004. We had 1,800 street kids and 300 teachers, just outside Bogota, Colombia. Some pictures are here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78084501@N00/sets/72157624492066539/ <https://www.flickr.com/photos/78084501@N00/sets/72157624492066539/>

In one, you’ll see the four principles on the side of a building in huge letters. 

A story about it is here:
http://peggyholman.com/papers/articles/good-work-for-2100-colombian-street-kids/ <http://peggyholman.com/papers/articles/good-work-for-2100-colombian-street-kids/>

I had the benefit of working with a crew that was used to dealing with logistics for large groups. So registration and feeding everyone was just handled. In terms of the OS, as Lisa said, wall space is important. We made each side of the room a time period. 

Harrison and Michael M Pannwitz ran one for 2,108 earlier that year. One idea I picked up from them for larger Open Spaces is using balloons to mark breakout spaces in a large, open room. If you search the OSlist archives, you’ll find stories and pictures about it.

If you’ve got specific questions, just ask.

Peggy

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Peggy Holman
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> On May 31, 2016, at 7:30 AM, Lisa Heft - via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi, Meredith - 
> 
> I have done quite a few 2000 and also larger OS events. 
> The dynamics (interpersonal) and engagement are the same. 
> The timing is the same - though I am speaking before knowing your situation. I have a question about how much time you (your client?) has created for this
> 
> And because in every conversation about process, I always start with / ask someone about their analysis of why, for whom, to what end, what will be done with the information and relations generated, and so on. To ask if it indeed Open Space and why - I have found - is a very healthy way to begin a conversation. Even with myself ;o)  
>  
> Room set-up and signage are different, to help people navigate. 
> Also here I have questions - do you have a super-sized room for these people to ideally all meet in one place? Lots of wall space? 
> 
> So as usual for whenever I facilitate or consult on a facilitation, I have more questions to begin the conversation on facilitation form, design, pre-work and details.
> This is true for any form, including Open Space - before answers.  
> 
> Because otherwise, I am perhaps answering things you have not yet asked for - or answering without knowing some of your constraints and the other details that inform design.
> 
> So: Tell us more. 
> 
> I look forward to hearing about it all,
> 
> Lisa
> 
> Lisa Heft
> Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
> Opening Space
> 
> Workshops coming up: 
> Open Space Learning Workshop (June, Oakland California)
> The Power of Pre-Work (August, Oakland California)
> 
>> On May 31, 2016, at 6:44 AM, Meredith Woolard via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:
>> 
>> Has anyone had experience running an Open Space session for 2,000 attendees?  If so, I’d love to learn about the logistics and how you managed to make it work for such a large group. Thanks!
>>  
>> Meredith Woolard
>> Conference and Community Specialist
>> Tessitura Network, Inc
>> +1 888-643-5778 ext 480 
>> mwoolard at tessituranetwork.com <mailto:mwoolard at tessituranetwork.com>
>> Tessitura Learning & Community Conference
>> August 7-11, 2016
>> #TLCC2016
>>  
>>   
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