program Program WG

Last updated: August 22nd, 2019

Lightning Talk Manager

Role description

Before event:

  • Discuss with Program lead on the the procedure on conducting the lightning talks
  • Decide on the venue where the lightning talks will be held.
  • If signing up is held on the event date itself, prepare a board for signing up talks
  • Co-ordinate with speakers to ensure sound checks schedule is planned for in advance.
  • Inform the attendees on the existence of lightning talks. Include the details in the info for attendees.

During

  • Get a schedule online, and have it on the door the day of the talks. Otherwise no-one knows they're going to miss cool stuff.
  • Introduces the speakers on stage.
  • Track the timing. Will be cool to have a screen with live timing shown to speakers.

After

  • Thank the speakers

Guidelines

Lightning talks should normally be scheduled after lunch for best attendance.

Preparations

PyCon Thailand hold Lightning Talks for both days of the event. These are very short talks - five minutes maximum - scheduled in rapid succession, with as many as 10 talks in a 60 minute session. There is no approval process: speakers merely sign up at the door. Topics are often up-and-coming Python projects, less well-known Python projects, cool hacks, things you wish were different, recruitment for a new sprint based on an idea you just had, war stories, and amusing mistakes. If a topic is boring, or incomprehensible, don't worry, it will be over in five minutes!