6th Annual Spring Open Source Think Tank

April 7-9, 2011
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission In & Spa
Sonoma, CA

The Open Source Think Tank is the most unique invitation-only event of its kind, bringing together many of the world’s top thought leaders in a challenge to solve real world situations. The event is focused on the evolution and practical implications of open source and cloud computing. More...

Format

Real-world case studies and a brainstorming format bring together the perspectives and insights of the entire ecosystem - from senior IT executives of the Fortune 1000 to dozens of CEOs of the most successful open source companies. This creates an unparalleled opportunity to share significant insights while building substantive relationships.

The 2011 event will highlight the maturation of open source and its intersection with cloud computing and focus on the evolution of cloud and open source-related business models.

The Open Source Think Tank is structured as a “think tank”, not as a typical industry conference. The event has been specifically designed to facilitate thought provoking discussions, challenge the attendee‘s perceptions through interaction with all elements of the ecosystem and encourage contribution from every industry segment. This is accomplished through a mixed set of activities each day, consisting of Group Discussions, Brainstorming Sessions, CIO Panels and Organized Networking and Social Activities.

The purpose of the Think Tank is for all segments of the ecosystem to openly share their concerns, issues, experiences, and common problems, while collaboratively developing solutions.

Who is Invited?

This event is an invitation-only conference for CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, legal experts, investors and other senior executives. It is a working conference and all participants are expected to actively contribute. It is our commitment to all attendees that every participant is knowledgeable about the commercial aspects of open source and is in a leadership position in their organizations with regard to open source and cloud computing.

If you are interested and meet these conference qualifications, please request an invitation.

Group Sessions Format

All attendees meet together in the group sessions held twice per day. At the beginning of each group session a topic and/or case study is introduced for everyone to review and discuss before splitting up into smaller brainstorming teams. At the end of each brainstorm session, the full conference meets again to hear presentations from each brainstorming team, discuss findings and attempt to develop consensus (although success is not necessarily defined by achieving consensus). The larger group then attempts to consolidate industry observations and recommendations which will be documented in the final event whitepaper.

Brainstorming Sessions Format

Each brainstorm team will have participants representing every industry segment: open source vendors, large OEMs and ISVs, mid-market ISVs, industry analysts, end user CIOs and investors. A member from each group, selected prior to the event and fully prepared, leads the individual group discussions. At the end of the brainstorming sessions, each team presents its findings to the full group.

Two of the brainstorming sessions will be in the form of real-world business cases. The purpose of the business cases is to challenge attendees to discuss practical solutions to real situations, assess alternatives and share the reasoning behind choices, examine opportunity costs and provide a final recommendation. The business cases will be introduced by a handout distributed two weeks ahead of the event with a 15 minute overview presented by the Olliance Team and representatives from the entity behind the case study at the start of the session. The introduction will be followed by two one-hour team meetings and concluded with 45 minutes of group presentations and discussion.

Panel Discussions

The conference features several panel discussions. Leading CIOs will participate in a panel in order to provide the 'open source consumer' perspective. Executives from acquired open source companies will discuss lessons on exit strategies.

Think Tank Event Honor Code

For this event to be successful, we are asking participants to agree to a simple event honor code.

Attendees are welcome to write or blog about the event throughout except during brainstorm sessions. Additionally, participants shall not publicly share individual or specific remarks made by other attendees.

The intention behind brainstorming and think tank events are to generate interactive discussions which are honest and open. All participants agree to listen to the opinions of others with respect. Furthermore each participant will actively seek to make sure all attendees in their sessions are involved.