The Resource Pattern

Implementation

Electronic/Planning resources

Event Schedule

Ideally, an event should have all its activities available on its website, mobile app and kiosks. There should be kiosks near the entrances to each hall and throughout in obvious places. Push notifications should be enabled for events that are cancelled. Events should not be rescheduled, except in exceptional circumstances such as a speaker cancellation, Edward Snowden showing up, etc.

===Volunteer System=== A volunteer-driven event should have systems in place to allow anyone to volunteer. Public terminals to allow volunteers to sign up, register and change their shifts should be made available in the volunteer lounge (i.e. Heaven.)

Wiki/Self-Organizing: Systems to allow attendees to self-organize should be put into place and well documented. They should also be run on redundant hardware and locally mirrored.

Staff Communications

If the venue is too large for a single shout to be heard easily everywhere, then staff should have some kind of radios. Ideally, a phone system is in place, but this is usually impractical. If the staff is larger than 10 people, then the staff should have distinct channels for handling of radio traffic. The Info Desk should be monitoring all channels.

Physical Resources

Once located, none of these resources should move at all during the event.

Info Desk

The info desk should be centrally located. Ideally, it should be impossible to enter the event, change halls or leave without passing by the info desk. The Info Desk should be briefed hourly by the organizers and each department head so that they have an answer to "every question" from "where is Room 1?" to "who pulled the fire alarm at the party last night?".

Speaker Desk/Lounge

If necessary, the speaker desk/lounge should be centrally located to all the lecture halls, but equally situated so guests or speakers can be easily escorted there from the entrance. This area should be quiet and comfortable for speakers to prepare their talks.

Volunteer Lounge

Ideally, the volunteer lounge is tucked away deep in the event space, but still located close enough to all volunteer posts. The volunteer lounge should be one of the most comfortable and well-stocked areas of the entire event. It should be possible for volunteers to be fed well enough in the volunteer lounge that they need not seek food or beverages from the outside until the event is closed.