Open Space Have you noticed, that often, the best parts of a conference are coffee and meal breaks and times in the bar. This is when people with an interest and a passion for a topic tend to self-organise into animated groups that share and learn together. What if you could create that energy for all of the conference? Open Space meetings are an alternative to traditional conferences and start from the assumption that the experts are in the room and only need to be helped to self-organise into interest or topic groups for their passion and commitment to be released. We use Open Space to improve the effectiveness and output of large groups. Participants create and manage their own programmes around a central theme with the aims of sharing knowledge and best practice, learning from one another and developing plans for creative and collaborative action. This process is also best suited to resolving complex or conflict-ridden issues in a short period of time particularly when innovation and ownership are the desired outcomes. Groups can be of any size from 10 to 500+ and the meetings can last from 3 hours to 3 days. Case Histories Recyclables, Renewables, Reusables Conference for the RSA "I felt the format of the conference was dynamic and cooperative - democratic in the widest sense of the word. And I felt empowered without the necessarily having to speak. I was enabled to listen more effectively than I had been 'talked at' or 'talked to'. "I had a sense that ordinary people (ie the non-expert) with the will can effect change, possibly with much more impact that when we are driven by outside agency or force. I find it interesting that at the end of the day I feel as, if not more, energised, than when I arrived, and I am a morning rather than an afternoon person. "I know I am going to act on an initiative and I am interested in waiting to see how many people from this conference will eventually be involved. This is exciting." More... Margaret Davidson Department of Performing Arts and Venues, Glasgow "This one day conference in association with Nap Associates, brought together 120 members of the arts community including practitioners, producers, promoters and the press to look into the question 'What next?' "The breathtaking aspect of this Open Space Forum was the shift towards action and self-help. I can't remember being at a similar forum which, in the end, produced so many concrete possibilities. Time and again, as the same faces have come together, we have rehearsed the same grievances. After a morning spent raising the all to familiar issues of concern, the afternoon was given over to planning. Different groups thrashed out viable ways to keep Glasgow in touch with its people. Each group came up with recommendations and a vote was taken, by the whole assembly, on what plans offered positive ways forward." Mary Brennan, Journalist,The Glasgow Herald Energis Squared plc As part of a company reorganisation that required greater cross-functional working and creativity, over 30 managers came together in a circular conference space at the Earth Center near Doncaster, England.  After completing a Wisdom Council that explored what was needed for innovation, our associate Martin Leith led an Open Space session to focus on what they needed to do in their organisation to create a more innovative culture. They identified and held workshops on over 20 related topics before narrowing this down to 7 projects that actions plans were developed for. Top © The Wisdom Meme 2008