SFSCON Speaker’s Guide

LAST UPDATE: 06.11.2024

 

This page explains how the conference works for a speaker.

This year the South Tyrol Free Software Conference (SFSCON 2024) will take place at NOI Techpark.

SFSCON 2024 aims to be a full networking event where people have the opportunity to get together and where the speakers can meet each other. We therefore ask if you foresee any problems in participating to let us know as soon as possible.

Each presentation will be recorded and made available online at the end of the conference.

 

INFO ABOUT SFSCON

The SFSCON 2024 programme is online. You can find it at the following link: www.sfscon.it/programs/2024

Please note that the programme is subject to change and will be continuously updated until the conference opens. All times are expressed in Central European Time (CET) UTC+01:00.

 

1. SPEAKER’S DINNER

Traditionally, every year, the day before the start of the conference, we organise a dinner for our speakers in order to spend some time together, get to know each other and enjoy some South Tyrolean cuisine!

The appointment will be on Thursday, November 7th at 19.00H (CET) UTC+01:00 at Parkhotel Laurin, via Laurin/Laurinstraße 4, Bolzano/Bozen

→ https://osm.org/go/0IQGCzxoO

We ask you to confirm your presence as soon as possible, latest by Monday 14th  October. Please let us know if you have any food allergies, intolerances or special dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, etc.). We will gladly provide you with a suitable menu.

 

2. CHECK-IN

As a speaker, you are already registered for the conference. The check-in desk will be at the Seminar area (floor -1) of the Building A1 at NOI Techpark (via A. Volta-Str., 13/A – Bolzano/Bozen). You are welcome to check-in from 8.15 CET at a dedicated desk for Speakers and Supporters.

Opening Ceremony

For the opening of SFSCON on Friday, November 8th, at 9:00 CET, we are pleased to reserve front-row seating in Seminar Room 1 for both speakers and supporters. We warmly encourage you to take these seats and join us for the opening.

An Attendee Guide will be available at this link: https://www.sfscon.it/attendee-guide/
For a better conference experience, it will be available also the SFSCON App.

3. PRESENTATION TIME

Unless otherwise indicated to you personally, presentations are lightning talks of 15 minutes including Q&A.

There will be 5 minutes between each talk to allow time to change speakers. A bell will ring at the end of the 15 minutes. The bell will ring simultaneously in all the conference rooms.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] Please arrive at your presentation room at least 20 minutes before your presentation is scheduled to begin. Five minutes before your talk, please report to your stage moderator for final checks and a quick briefing.

4. PDF PRESENTATION

We kindly request that you submit your PDF presentation by 4th November. Please be aware that the submission deadline is mandatory. To ensure everything runs smoothly, we will conduct a pre-test to confirm its usability.

Once the conference begins, no further modifications will be possible and the PDF will be automatically uploaded to the talk page on our website after the conference.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] Your presentation PDF should be uploaded in the speaker’s reserved area. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for uploading your PDF to the website: https://cloud.opendatahub.com/index.php/s/p2WJ4DwgJmirL4E

The presentation will be pre-loaded and will be played live directly from the stage. On stage you can present using a pointer. It will not be possible to use your own laptop on stage!

[IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING VIDEOS] If your presentation includes a video, we kindly ask you to send it to us in advance, along with your PDF presentation. This will allow our video production team to have it readily available for playback during your presentation, ensuring a seamless experience for the audience.

If you have any other needs please let us know in advance, latest by 4th November.

PRESENTATION TIPS

  • Look in front of the audience (and not back at the screen). You are being video recorded and you have a screen with the presentation in front of you;
  • Stay in front of the stage podium and stay close to the microphone;
  • Present using a pointer;
  • Your presentation will be pre-loaded and made available online at the end of the conference;
  • The Q&A session must be kept within the 15-minute slot.

5. VIDEO INTERVIEW

During the two-day conference you may be asked to give a short video interview.

6. MEDIA KIT

Feel free to use the SFSCON Media Kit! Media contents and creative assets are made available to speakers, sponsors, participants, official partners and members of the press. The use of this media content indicates that you are a speaker, sponsor or participant in this event.

Support SFSCON by informing your contacts about your attendance and conference schedule!

[NEW!] Use the Sharepic Generator for participants, speakers and supporters: https://sharepic.fsfe.org/#sfscon provided by the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE)

7. CONFERENCE VENUE: NOI TECHPARK, BOLZANO/BOZEN

SFSCON will take place at NOI Techpark in Bolzano/Bozen (Italy).

→ https://osm.org/go/0IQB7LTiM–?way=540072752

REMIND TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN TIME!

Find info about the conference venue here:

→  https://www.sfscon.it/venue/

8. IMPORTANT TRANSPORT INFORMATION | TRANSPORT STRIKE 08/11/2024

We would like to inform you that a 24-hour national public transport strike has been announced for Friday, November 8, from 00:00 to 24:00. We’ve arranged exclusive free shuttle buses to make your travel hassle-free.

Speaker Shuttle Service Details

We will be offering FREE shuttle services

Morning Shuttle
From Bolzano centre to NOI Techpark
Pickup location: In front of Parkhotel Laurin (via Laurin 4, Bolzano)
Departure Times: 8:00, 8:15, 8:30, 8:45

Afternoon Return BUS
From NOI Techpark (Main Entrance) to Bolzano Train Station.
Pickup location: NOI Techpark (Main Entrance)
Departure Times: 18:00, 18:15, 18:30, 18:45

For detailed information on the transport strike and travel solutions to NOI Techpark, click here: ➡️ https://cloud.opendatahub.com/index.php/s/fTEftnbCfqtLwPW

9. WEBSITE & APP

The SFSCON website and SFSCON App will be your companions during the conference. More info will be available soon.

An Attendee Guide will be also available soon at this link: https://www.sfscon.it/attendee-guide/

10. JOB WALL OPPORTUNITY

SFSCON features a Job Wall where participants can connect with potential employers or share job opportunities:

  1. Companies: If you have Job Offers that you’d like to promote, bring them printed on an A4 sheet of paper. This is a fantastic opportunity to reach a pool of talented individuals actively seeking employment.
  2. Students: Are you searching for an internship opportunity? Print your CV on an A4 sheet and bring it to the event. You can announce your availability to companies and catch their attention.
  3. Job Seekers: Looking for your dream job? Print your CV on an A4 sheet and submit it at the JOB Wall. Let potential employers discover your skills and experience.

11. SIDE EVENTS

– PRE-EVENT  – WUD 2024 – World Usability Day | Design for better World – 7th November

World Usability Day is a worldwide annual event locally organised “across the globe for the common cause of making our world easy for all”.
NOI Techpark – Seminar 2

More information → https://wud-bz.it/

 

– HACKATHON SFSCON Edition – 8th & 9th November
2 days, 24 hours, different topics to work on, one jury and amazing prizes. Inventors and creative people: developers, designers, data experts, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts. We welcome different ideas, backgrounds and competencies.
NOI Techpark – NOISE

More information → https://hackathon.bz.it/


– SIDE EVENT – Crane Hall BOF meetings – 8th November

Crane Hall BOF (Birds of a Feather) meetings are informal gatherings where communities can come together to discuss any topic of interest. We will provide a dedicated space in the Crane Hall. Please note that there will be no audio/video equipment (no microphone or projector), but you will be able to use the space as you see fit. If you are interested in hosting a Crane Hall BOF Meeting, simply email info@sfscon.it with the session title and short description to reserve a 40-minute slot between 14:00 and 18:00 (CET) on Friday, November 8th.
NOI Techpark – Crane Hall

We kindly ask you to submit your BOF proposals no later than Thursday, October 24th → https://www.sfscon.it/tracks/crane-hall-bof-meetings-2024/

 

– SIDE EVENT – FSFE – ITALIAN COMMUNITY MEETING | Voices of Free Software: connect, learn, inspire! – 9th November

Join the event to connect with volunteers, supporters, and friends of Free Software. Share your experiences, discuss key Free Software topics, and collaborate on common initiatives to tackle future challenges together.
NOI Techpark – Seminar 3 – This is an hybrid event. The event will be held in Italian.

Registration needed at → https://pretix.eu/noi-digital/sfscon24/4259648/

 

– SIDE EVENT – Women* in tech workshop | Let’s spark more Adas in our tech world! – 9th November 

This workshop will focus on encouraging women* to code. This event aims to promote diversity and gender equity in free software. It will examine the challenges women face in these communities and how to make environments more inclusive. Supported by: FSFE – Free Software Foundation Europe & SheTech
NOI Techpark – Seminar 2

Registration needed at → https://pretix.eu/noi-digital/sfscon24/4260077/

 

– SIDE EVENT – Science Club MiniNOI x SFSCON | Scratch stories with Ada & Zangemann! – 9th November

Calling all kids aged 7 to 10! Coding and programming will be the focus of this special Science Club. A workshop on programming with very special people is waiting for you! The workshop will be held in Italian.
NOI Techpark – Seminar 4 – The event will be held in Italian.

Registration opens on the 23rd of October at → https://registration.noi.bz.it/event/speakers?id=MiniNOI_x_SFSCON1147463429

 

 

 

IN CASE OF NEED, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US: INFO@SFSCON.IT

FAQs

Will all the talks be streamed live?
No, not anymore. Each presentation will be recorded and made available online at the end of the conference. SFSCON aims to be a full networking event where people have the opportunity to get together and where the speakers can meet each other.

Will the talks be pre-recorded?
No, all speakers must be present to deliver their talk from the SFSCON stages.

What is the expected duration for the talks?
If not otherwise indicated to you personally, talks are lightning talks of 15 minutes including Q&A (as was defined in the Call4Speakers: https://www.sfscon.it/call-4-speakers/). Between the presentations, there will be 5 minutes for the change from one speaker to another. During this time, you can do a last-minute rehearsal with the assigned moderator.

What is the expected duration for Q&A?
You will have a 15-minute slot that you can manage as you wish. We suggest a 10-minute talk + 5 minutes of questions.

Will Q&A be during or after the talks?
The Q&A session must be in the 15-minute slot.

Do I have to upload the PDF slides in advance or just project them during my screen-sharing presentation?
Yes, it will be necessary to upload the pdf of the presentation in your speaker’s reserved area in advance (by 4th November). The pdf will be also automatically uploaded to the website at the end of the conference.

Is it possible to show a video during the presentation?
Yes, you can include a video in your presentation. However, we kindly request that you send us the video in advance by 4th November (together with the pdf of your presentation). This allows our video production team to have it readily available for playback during your presentation.

Is it possible to send the presentation in PowerPoint format instead of pdf to include a video inside?
We require presentations to be in PDF format. No other format can be uploaded to the website at the end of the conference. Additionally, in the spirit of the Free Software conference, PowerPoint (PPT) formats are not accepted.

In the time slot dedicated to discussion with the audience, is it possible to involve additional authors of the presentation to answer questions?
Of course! You have full flexibility in managing your 15-minute slot. You will also have an on-stage moderator at your disposal to help select and facilitate questions. If you plan to involve additional authors, please inform your assigned moderator.

Do I need to register for SFSCON, if I am a speaker?
As a speaker, you are already registered for the conference for both Friday and Saturday.

Is it possible to obtain reimbursement for travel or accommodation expenses?
Unfortunately, we are unable to cover travel or accommodation expenses for speakers. We sincerely hope you can find a way to participate!