This answer originally appeared on the blog Think Small.

One of the most interesting learnings so far has been the fact that Vancouver has a very active unconference scene. In this part of the world, unconferences have grown to carry a fairly specific definition of what they are. In fact many may even be more unconferencey than what Interesting is aiming to be. With a generally very tech heavy theme local unconferences are great meeting places for ideas and solutions around various aspects of technology and day to day life. But not always.

Now, I’ve attended very few full blown unconference as I always seem to be out of town shooting something or at a bloated corporate conference and/or meetings. So I cannot astutely speak to exactly what they are. But in planning Interesting Vancouver we have collected a wide variety of reviews and opinions of what does and doesn’t work at them. James Sherrett and uber blogger Darren Barefoot in particular have been very insightful.

Barefoot really highlighted that around here there are many expectations of what an unconference is. Without getting into all the boring nitty gritty details here is a quote from an email I sent Darren on whether Interesting Vancouver is or isn’t an unconference:

Interesting year one will be very interesting no doubt. And part of its philosophy is figuring itself out as it goes and perpetually evolving. One thing that’s very interesting is this event started in London, where the understanding and definition of what an unconference is, is very different from Vancouver. I’ve discovered that Vancouver has a very defined iteration of what an unconference is along with many successful events. Not having attended the big ones it’s great to get learnings and suggestions from the likes of yourself. The vision for Interesting Vancouver is in the middle between a unconference as the local definition stands and a well curated big fancy corporate conference like a TED or Idea City that appeals to professionals of all disciplines.

So is Interesting Vancouver an unconference? Yes. Is it different from other unconferences in Vancovuer? Yes. The key to me is curation combined with spontaneity of the affair. So moving forward to keep it clear we’ll avoid using unconference when speaking of Interesting Vancouver, out of respect for the great local unconferences, and although we live in a world folks love to put labels on everything we’ll simply refer to Interesting Vancouver as a conference of interestingness. Until we find a better label that is…

This answer originally appeared on the blog Think Small.

A key learning on Vancouver’s unconferences is also the fact they are generally free. While there are costs involved to host any conference sponsors of unconferences pick up the tabs.

Interesting Vancouver will not have financial sponsors. This was a very deliberate choice. Once sponsors are involved it becomes a commercial affair. This is not a marketing conference and therefore there should be minimal marketing. It is simply about celebrating interestingness and as soon as sponsors write a cheque they rightfully expect something in return. Thus reducing the interestingness of Interesting. So, in return for covering the costs of the event, you are rewarded by not having to endure being sold anything or stare at banners every turn. There is no trade show, tote bags full of brochures or branded tchochkis you only take to avoid being rude. There will also not be any form of canvasing or requests for ‘donations’ at the event. It is truly fiscally obligation free the night of October 24.

As for ticket costs they were set at a rate to allow a first rate venue, good ambiance, and some surprises for you the attendee. Our plan is to not only put on a good show but also buy everyone their first round of drinks and put on some other surprises the night of the event.

Every dollar from your ticket goes into the event, and any left over funds will be donated to charity. How we choose that charity will be part of the event.

As for the ticket price itself it was set with two things in mind. Firstly, what it will cost to host the event without me personally incurring an intolerable financial risk. Secondly, based on the cost of Interesting’s around the world. Interesting London cost 20 pounds, so about $40 or so Canadian dollars, granted it was a 5 hour day time affair. Interesting Amsterdam was $20 Euros and Interesting New York is $35.

So, $25 seemed reasonable and in line and in fact cheaper than many events we attend in Vancouver. And we are confident it will prove to be well worth the value. And note that there are no freebie tickets, everyone including your’s truly and the speakers will pony up for their tickets.

This answer originally appeared on the blog Think Small.

Speakers are not compensated in any form other than goodwill. As with sponsors as soon as you start paying for speakers you change the dynamics of the event. Everyone at Interesting is at par and part of the experience/exchange. Some just happen to be speakers. Rusell Davies, the fellow who started Interesting in London puts it best:

Russell on Interesting from David Nottoli on Vimeo.

This answer originally appeared on the blog Think Small.

Most conferences attract a fairly narrow range of people. Even unconferences. But like TED, Interesting Vancouver has proven to strike a chord with folks from many backgrounds.

If you have to define it, Interesting Vancouver is for creative people. It is for people who may or may not work in a creative industry or a creative department. And who may or may not be interesting themselves. They simply are interested.

Interesting Vancouver is truly a multi-disciplinary conference. It seeks to impart new knowledge, things you’ve never known, or thought about. Open up parallel thinking ports. Activate parts of your brain that for even the brainiest person may have been neglected or unexplored. There will be a degree of spontaneity, unexpected moments, and learnings. This is what makes it exciting.

The audience is as interesting as the speakers. It will be a mix of artists, photographers, lawyers, librarians, social marketers, micro finance specialists, university professors, accountants, visual effects artists, journalists, marketing strategists, and more. The people sitting around you will be just as interesting as those on stage.

Often, the most interesting folks don’t think they are very interesting. They just know what they know, but that is often something very interesting. That said, there’s no pressure to perform, if you just want to soak up the experience and be on your way, that’s totally cool too. Life doesn’t always have to have an outcome. Though you will be guaranteed to learn something new, fill your head with new ideas, make new acquaintances, become acquainted in new ways with existing acquaintances, and be inspired.

Sounds pretty interesting eh?

This answer originally appeared on the blog Think Small.

This one is especially for those trying to figure out how to expense their ticket. Firstly, Interesting Vancouver is probably the cheapest curated conference you’ll even attend in Vancouver. Though that’s always debatable.

As noted earlier this weeky, there isn’t a specific outcome of the event, but we hope people leave inspired. Maybe a light bulb flickered about a problem they or the their company has been trying to solve for a while. Maybe you are an aspiring writer, CEO, photographer or lawyer. You’ll see some of the most creative and innovative such professions speak. Maybe you already are one and want to be better.

If you work in a corporate culture it could be a unique environment to take out a client or your peers. Nothing like new ideas to foster great working relationships. If you work in an independent culture or in the hard core technology or academic world it will be a great chance to meet more of you like and reach out to other circles.

In a nutshell you will walk away with new ideas, inspiration and hopefully a spring in your step to make your own life a little more interesting. It should be pretty easy to justify that cost.