Attending SoCraTes UK - SoCraTesUK/socrates-uk GitHub Wiki

Here's your guide to attending SoCraTes UK.

Step 1: Familiarise yourself with the rules

Code of Conduct

Refresh your mind about the Code of Conduct to help make life better for everyone at the conference.

Photography

We'd love to have many pictures of the event! To be able to do that and respect the wishes of folks who'd rather not be photographed, we have brought some yellow lanyards that they can wear to indicate this. We ask you to be aware of where you're pointing your camera and avoid taking shots that contain anyone wearing a yellow lanyard, even if you don't intend on sharing them.

Step 2: Get excited about the Open Space

SoCraTes is run as an Open Space. Our lovely team have prepared a message for you on how to prepare.

We'll be at the venue for three nights, and we want you all to enjoy yourselves and relax in the evenings so your minds are fresh for the daytime. Aside from hitting the bar, ask yourself: what would you like to do with a whole load of other software crafters? Are you a musician or a board game fanatic? Do you have a cool project you'd like to work on as a team? Shout about it on the Evening Events page.

Step 3: Notify us of any special requirements

If you have any serious allergies or other special requirements, please tell us your preferences as soon as possible so that we can ensure you get the best from the conference. Find our food menu here.

Step 4: Start Communicating

There are a number of channels where communication around SoCraTes UK takes place. These are:

  • Slack (channel #ev_socratesuk)

  • Wiki

  • Hashtag: #SoCraTesUK on mastodon, linked-in (you can check previous year's posts and type before:2023-08-31 after:2023-05-01 SoCraTesUK in the search box (still trying to find a way to embed these search terms in the URL, if anyone knows??), etc

We highly recommend that you get involved in all (if you haven’t already) as it is a great way to get into the spirit of the event and meet people on the journey to the event.

As a first step, why not introduce yourself on the whoami page.

Step 5: Figure out how you're going to get there

SoCraTes UK 2024 Open Space starts at 6.15pm on Thursday 19th September, so you should aim to get there with plenty of time to unpack and freshen up (ideally arrive by 5:45pm). Perhaps it's time to start booking train tickets. You're aiming for Didcot Parkway station. From there, it's recommended you share a taxi. Those can be found right outside the station. Find more details on how to get there on the website.

Note: Let us know if you arrive late so we can tell the hotel to keep reception open for you (flight numbers will help if applicable).

Wherever you are travelling from, it’s likely that some part of your journey will intersect with the journeys of other people who are attending (especially if you’re flying into the country or getting a taxi from one of the Didcot Parkway train stations).

Why wait until you get to the venue to start the conversation? By meeting up with people on the wait you can start inspiring discussions (ever tried mob programming on a code kata inside a taxi?) and save some money by splitting transport costs.

To share transport, conversation and cost, add your journey details to arrivals page and watch out for other people with similar routes.

Note: For all other forms of travel see the relevant travel information.

Step 6: Pack the things you need

There’s a Travel Checklist which contains the essentials that you need to bring. Of course, you may wish to bring other things as well (board games, musical instruments, etc.). Please note that the venue has a gym, a swimming pool with sauna, steam room and hot tub as well as a tennis court and delightful grounds to walk or run through.

Step 7: Checking in

There is no need for you to print your ticket for the event. The hotel will have your name at reception and you will be able to check-in as you would anywhere else. If you are sharing your room, you will have told us with whom.

Once checked in, you will be directed to your room. Rooms are through the other side of the bar/restaurant (when you start from reception, to the right). Once you have dropped your stuff off in the room and are ready to join the event, head down the corridor to the left of reception and find the main Wroughton FIXME room: walk back towards reception (past the bar and restaurant) but turn right towards the coffee corner and follow the corridor to the left, through the wooden doors.

Step 8: Familiarise yourself with the schedule

Thursday

The introduction session will start at 18:15. This will kick off the event, introduce the concepts and logistics of the conference, and give you a chance to meet the people you will be spending time with over the duration of the conference.

Dinner is also provided on Thursday from 7.20-9pm.

Friday/Saturday

These are the main event days. Both days follow the same format:

Time Activity
7:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:15-15:00 Marketplace
10:30-12:30 Morning Sessions
12:30-14:00 Lunch
14:00-18:00 Afternoon Sessions
18:15-19:15 Evening news & break
19:15-21:00 Dinner
Evening activities

The sessions and activities are open to all possibilities, if you want to do something then go ahead and propose it.

Sunday

Sunday is a time for reflection and conversation. There’s no planned activity on this day, however there’s usually a walk for anyone who wants to join. Apart from the walk, you are free to make any use of the space that you want. We do have the shared meeting spaces so feel free to organise further session. Breakfast is provided at the usual times.

Checkout out ends at 11am on Sunday. If you intend on going on the walk you should checkout early and leave your bags with reception. If you want to avoid the queues to checkout on Sunday then you can settle your bill the night before.

Step 9: Enjoy the conference

We can't wait to see you there.

Some things that we recommend everyone does while at SoCraTes UK:

  • Propose a session

  • Visit the sponsors corner

  • Eat with people you have not spoken to before

Step 10: Plan your journey home

You can leave at any time you wish on the Sunday, but most people will stay for lunch. Many people will be travelling to one of the train stations, so again, we recommend you share transport taxis with other people leaving at the same time.

To share transport, conversation and cost, add your journey details to the departures page and watch out for other people with similar routes.

Anything else?

If you need any other information or have questions, please do reach out to us.