In the heart of Madison Wisconsin, from August 23-25th, you’ll find something different.  A chance to connect with old friends, make new ones, and build the test experience you really need.  It’s not a conference ... it is a test retreat.

Overview

First we create a one-day open spaces event on August 24th, beginning at 9:00AM and running to 5:00PM.  We place the event at the Fluno Center, in Madison Wisconsin.  We bring together the best and brightest minds in Software Testing; perhaps a few from the overall process of software (and value!) delivery.  On top of that we have an optional Friday dinner, with no content on Sunday. Take the day to relax, move projects forward (more about that later), build relationships, take a leisurely trip home -- or stick around for other events in the area the following week.

Before the Conference

Every attendee will sign up on the conference wiki, and list what they want to talk about -- their own professional development plan, along with ideas on how we can influence the state of testing as it is practiced.   Each attendee should expect to offer at least one session to host.  Hosts can lead discussion, present, or facilitate.  

The Open Space Format 

Saturday’s “Main Event” will be a full-day open space conference, with a short theme of “Deliberate Practice.”  The longer theme is “Advancing And Influencing the Craft while growing personally and professionally.”  After gathering a list of proposals, the group will conduct a rapid vote, called a dotting exercise, then create the schedule based on interest.

In other words, the attendees will build the schedule they want, in real time, based on our interests.   

The conference center will provide a continental breakfast and snacks throughout the day.  We’ll break for lunch, then regroup and open space for two more hours.  In the last afternoon may break into groups by project, to plan what we will actually do.

The evening is open to teams to go plan and execute on projects.

The event is also the 2013 gathering for the MiagiDo School of Software Testing, but any serious student of test and quality is welcome to apply.

Why Attend?

• We put the best people in the field in one room – people doing software testing, test coaching, and helping others do it
• That group of people will decide on a small handful of things we could do to impact the software community in a wildly positive way
• The format combines a workshop with Just Enough Structure with plenty of unstructured, informal time.  Or bring your own ideas for what to do Sunday! 
• We will share our stories, approaches, and ideas about testing
• We will invent and experiment with new testing and coaching practices
• It may involve discussing new, fundamental roles for testers and leaders of testers
• We will discuss, document, and create new ways to influence the state of the practice, as well as projects to move things forward
• How often do you get a chance to sit back and envision your next few years, surrounded by colleagues that can encourage you and offer realistic feedback?

Goal of this meeting

The goal of this meeting is to impact the practice of testing while growing professionally.  We expect to leave with a half-dozen projects.  No just "project ideas", but projects, actively underway, with the opportunity to impact the test community in a widly postive way.

What kinds of plans and projects?

Here’s a few of the projects Excelon is interested in collaboration on.  Imagine if everyone brought a list like this and we joined forces!

• Testers At Work, a book project that is a collection of interviews with software test practitioners
• The Best Writing In Software Testing, a book project that collects essays in order to create a broad introduction covering key issues in the topic
• One-to-three day peer conferences in Mobile Testing and Test Leadership, probably in the Midwest, in 2013-2014, possibly with a leading one-day tutorial.
• A Possible Software Testing Resource Website
• Project Team Performance, a possible book or collection of essays, about how to improve the velocity of software projects by focusing on test and quality.

Costs and Fees

This event is run by Excelon Development; attendance is limited and time-competitive.  The first registrations will be the first served.  The conference includes the conference facility fee, snacks and breakfast on the 24th.  Lunch, dinner, and hotel rooms are not included.  You can stay at the Fluno Center or anywhere in Madison.

Hotel and Transportation 

Guest rooms are available at the Fluno Center for $149/night.  The conference center is directly downtown from the Madison Airport and available by cab.  Please indicate on your application if you will need transportation, We will make reasonable attempts to encourage rideshares, to help people attend religious services, etc.