We’re bringing FFS Conf to Australia!

FFS Conf is a conference that started in London as a “jokey early morning tweet exchange” and became a one-day single-track conference. The original FFS Conf legends are a group of tech professionals who were a little bit done with the typical conference format. In their own words:

“We’ve been dismayed by many recent conferences which seem monopolised by well-meaning and erudite speakers giving convincing presentations on non-controversial subjects, based on opinion rather than experience, delivered to what is effectively an echo chamber of fellow professional presenters and an audience so bamboozled by the intricately constructed arguments that they’re not sure whether or how to challenge what is said.”

They created a conference where participants could engage in structured rants about their frustration with some of the unnecessary complexity and willful stupidity in software delivery, and where the audience could engage in discussion afterwards. It’s somewhere between an unconf and public forum debate.

We were inspired by this concept and watched intently the twitter action from afar. We decided to bring the concept to Australia, and thus, FFS Conf Down Under was born.

Ethos

At its core FFS Tech Conf is a grassroots movement. While presenting a chance for participants to experience catharsis, it is mostly an opportunity to get to the heart of a matter with people who care and have something to contribute.

We’re hoping as much as possible to replicate the experience of the London conference, which attracted a diverse set of voices, who normally would not attend conferences, and were energised by the concept of participating FFS Tech Conf.

Additionally, like the London conference, we will be running this as a not-for-profit initiative because we see the need and the demand for it rather than for financial reward. We’re looking to run a quality event that supports speakers and audience alike, promoting diversity, inclusion and accessibility.