CloudCamp is an unconference

Unconference

An unconference is a participant-driven meeting. The term "unconference" has been applied, or self-applied, to a wide range of gatherings that try to avoid one or more aspects of a conventional conference, such as high fees, sponsored presentations, and top-down organization...

 for cloud computing

Cloud computing

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility over a network ....

 early adopters, held internationally on an ad-hoc basis.

History

CloudCamp was formed to provide a common ground for the introduction and advancement of cloud computing. The founders include Dave Nielsen, Reuven Cohen and Sam Charrington. The first CloudCamp was held June 24, 2008 in San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...

.

Format

CloudCamp is a participant-driven unconference

Unconference

An unconference is a participant-driven meeting. The term "unconference" has been applied, or self-applied, to a wide range of gatherings that try to avoid one or more aspects of a conventional conference, such as high fees, sponsored presentations, and top-down organization...

 that can run on its own or within a larger conference. At CloudCamp, the agenda is not completely set until the attendees arrive and set it. While CloudCamp has its roots in Cloud Computing, the format can be used for a wide range of topics. The format is loosely based on the Open Spaces Technology format which has been around since the early 80's.

A Typical CloudCamp is a combination of 5-Minute Lightning Talks as well as questions, answers and breakout sessions proposed by the attendees. Here is an example agenda:

5:30pm Food & Drinks

6:00pm Welcome & Introductions

6:15pm Lightning Talks (5 minutes each)

- Lightning Talk #1

- Lightning Talk #2

- Lightning Talk #3

- Lightning Talk #4

- Lightning Talk #5

7:00pm Unpanel - Questions & Panelists from attendees

7:45pm Unconference - Session Topics proposed by attendees

8:00pm Breakout Sessions - Round 1 (1 or more sessions)

8:45pm Breakout Sessions - Round 2 (1 or more sessions)

9:30pm Wrap-up

9:45pm End

Reach

As of June, 2011 230 events had been conducted. CloudCamps take place worldwide with events held in Africa, Australia, Asia, India, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.

CloudCamp has spawned other camps such as ScaleOutCamp & BigDataCamp

CloudCamp has attracted numerous sponsors with their meetings can be attached to mainstream conferences.