FAQs

A. Open Source India is a two day event being held on 11^th and 12^th October, 2018 at the NIMHANS Convention Centre.

A. The timings for sessions are 9.30 to 6 pm. Registration starts at 8.30 am and entrance to the convention centre starts at 9 am.

A. Yes. NIMHANS Convention Centre is one of the few convention centres that have been designed keeping specially abled in mind. The main entrance as well as most halls have ramps to enable use of wheel chairs. The first floor is also accessible through an elevator.

A. Yes and no. There are parts of the event that are open to anyone* including the expo and the keynote sessions. At the same time, many conference tracks and workshops are accessible through different categories of paid passes. To know more about which pass provides access to which events at OSI—please refer here.

A. Open Source India has grown into one of Asia’s largest events on Open Source. It features the following activities:

• Keynotes: These are sessions by tech and industry luminaries—and are open to all to attend. We have industry keynotes and technology keynotes. These are typically 25 to 45 minute sessions (including Q&A).
• Tech Talks: These are different tracks (technical conference) on different subjects such as Open Source Databases or Cloud & Big Data, etc. Typical sessions range from 20 to 30 minutes.
• Workshops: These are focussed in-depth sessions ranging from 2 hours to 6 hours where experts train you on solving
• Expo: This is where you get the real ‘proof of concept’. You can experience first-hand—open source solutions, developer engagement initiatives, training providers, recruitment arms of major IT firms, and more. If you have any doubt about the Open Source eco-system, the expo floor will eliminate the same.
• Networking Lunch: This is where you see techies from all across the nation get to network with each other—including our speakers—over a spread out buffet lunch.
• Start-up Zone: A new feature introduced in 2018, this is where you will get to discover start-ups working in the field of Open Source.
• Penguin Party: Another new feature introduced in 2018. This party will happen on the evening of the 1^st day of the event. We will be providing transportation from the venue to the party-place, to all attendees of the party.
• Community Zone: Another feature added in 2018—here, you will get to interact with teams promoting different open source projects, and seeking volunteers to join them and contribute to the project.

A. Yes. Starting 2018, a facility to leave your baggage in the cloak room has been initiated. You may have to open the baggage and show to the security staff—before they accept it for storage. Charges, if any, will be nominal for this service.

A. Anyone whose profession or business is linked to development or deployment of technology—can attend this event. This event is open to students too. Having said that, the organisers retain the right to refuse entry to anyone whom they find unsuitable.

For more clarity, refer to our page titled ‘Who Should Attend & Why?’

A. Since this is a B2B technology event–anyone aged below 16 years of age is not allowed to attend the event without prior permission from a member of OSI’s advisory panel.

A. We have created a page to explain the same. Click here to view the same.

A. Open Stack India has been co-located with Open Source India since 2014. Starting 2018, a new event named SmartITIndia is also being co-located with Open Source India. Thus, an umbrella brand has been formed—India IT Week under which all three col-located events are being held.

A. There are passes that allow entry to all co-located events. To know more, refer to the page that explains all types of passes.

A. No. Wi-fi connectivity is provided only to speakers and workshop attendees. Everyone else should bring mobile devices to be used as hot-spots—if Internet is required by them.

A. Yes, you can. But, you might have to queue up for the same. Plus, your options with respect to conference tracks and especially workshops might get limited if they are sold-out due to reservations by others who registered earlier online. We strongly suggest that you pre-register on our website.

A. There are MANY advantages. Few of them include:

1. NO STANDING IN QUEUES: You will receive a self-printable badge via email, which you can print at your home or office, and simply walk into the venue. No need to stand in any queues. 63% of OSI visitors used this facility in 2017.
2. SAVE MONEY: Depending on when you register, you can get discount offers on Passes, Workshops, Networking Lunch, Evening Party, Memorabilia, etc.
3. BOOK YOUR SLOTS: Since our workshops sell out much in advance, if you register early—you will be able to choose from a larger set of workshops. As we near the event—your options will get limited.

A. Yes. We actually have a responsive website which provides all the information you need including map of the venue, conference schedule, what’s happening where, speaker profiles, LIVE updates & announcements, list of exhibitors, special offers, etc. Plus, it allows you to connect and network with speakers and other delegates attending OSI, or any of the co-located events.

A. We have May I Help You desk in the centre court of the convention centre. You can pick up your coupons from there—anytime after 11.30 am of the first day. You can pick up all your coupons at one go, but will need to take care that you don’t lose them. Once issued, we will not be able to issue a free replacement.

A. Yes, the convention centre does have a full-fledged parking facility for 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers. But, in case you are coming in late, you may encounter a full-house. In such a situation, you would be better off if you hailed a cab such as Ola or Uber.

A. Again, there are different passes associated with workshops. If you have the right pass, and have succeeded in booking your seat for the workshop of your choice—you will be able to attend the same.

A. Seats in workshops are limited. A typical workshop seats a maximum of 25 to 30 people. Hence, these limited seats get booked much before the event. If you like a workshop, book it—before it’s all sold out. (IMP: In 2017 edition, we could sell only 11 workshop passes even though 10 workshops were held across the 2 days! Most of them were sold out a month before the event).

A. Each workshop will share its own guidelines and pre-requisites. Please refer to the same to figure out—if you need to bring your laptop or not.

A. Please refers to our page titled  Wow Factors to know about initiatives being taken to create your visit to OSI into a memorable experience for you. Plus, you may refer to

A. Open Source thrives on user-generated content. We too, encourage experts to register their proposed talks. Once you submit your proposed talk(s), our panel reviews them for alignment with the goals of the selected conference track(s) or workshop(s). They typically inform the status of your proposal within 2-3 weeks of submission.

A. The answer is YES for questions. You can propose multiple talks, and multiple workshops.

A. To build transparency and trust, we follow these simple principles:

1. If you are speaking to your peers and sharing knowledge with them—you don’t have to pay a penny, if your talk gets approved. But, if you are pitching to your prospective customers (sales talk)—then you will need to come through our sales team.
2. We recommend to all speakers (even sponsors) to focus on what’s in it for the audience—rather than do a pure sales talk.
3. We try and maintain a 70:30 ratio between peer talks and sponsored talks.

A. Simply go here, and if we are still inviting speakers, simply register. You can also reach out to us as [email protected].

A. You can get all that information on our Conference At A Glance page. For any further queries, contact us.

A. While submitting your talk, you can indicate all possible track—your talk fits in, and our team will speak to you, and try and finalise the best fit.

A. Our key talks and workshops are finalised at least 2 months before the show. Sometimes earlier. But, there could be specific slots for which we may be seeking better talks or experts. Whenever in doubt, email us at [email protected].

A. Yes, the convention centre does have a full-fledged parking facility for 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers. But, in case your are coming in late, you may encounter a full-house. In such a situation, you would be better off, if you hailed a cab such as Ola or Uber.

A. You can use the same form (as tech talks) but mention that it’s proposed as a workshop.

A. First, please keep the number of our Speaker Management team stored on your phone. You will be provided a minimum of two numbers to call upon. Do let them know—the moment you arrive, or are about to arrive.

Once you reach the venue, please go to the Speakers’ Desk at the Registration Area. Representatives of our Speaker Management team will be there, who will personally escort you to our Speaker Lounge (aka VIP Lounge).

At the VIP Lounge, our central Speaker Management team will be there, and they will take care of the rest.

A. Yes. The Speaker Management team at the VIP Lounge will provide you with the same.

A. Of course—yes! Speakers have full access to all conference tracks at OSI. The only thing that’s off limits for them are (paid) workshops.

A. Unless there is a need for a specific feature-set of your laptop—you need not bring a laptop. We have dedicated laptops assigned for each conference hall.

A. We have tried to answer that question—in as unbiased a fashion as we could—on this page.

A. We have put the Post Show report for the 2017 edition—click here to view.

Plus, you can see details of 2016 and earlier shows by clicking here.

Last but not the least—the real proof lies in what our exhibitors had to say. You can watch them sharing there feedback by clicking here.

A.

To build transparency and trust, we follow these simple principles:

1. If you are speaking to your peers and sharing knowledge with them—you don’t have to pay a penny, if your talk gets approved. But, if you are pitching to your prospective customers (sales talk)—then you will need to come through our sales team.
2. We recommend to all speakers (even sponsors) to focus on what’s in it for the audience—rather than do a pure sales talk.
3. We try and maintain a 70:30 ratio between peer talks and sponsored talks.

A. We have put together a page that provides you details about Standard expo booths as well as special packages for specific categories of exhibitors including start-ups, those wanting to engage developers and those wanting to engage with the talent pool. Click here to view the same.

A. Thanks. Simply share your details here OR contact us at [email protected] OR +91-98111 55335.

A. Yes, exhibitors have access to all technical conferences but not to the paid workshops.

A. There are quite a few. While our sales team will be happy to share the complete list, here are a few that we can share immediately:

1. Free access to tech conferences
2. Access to VIP Lounge (2 members + 2 guests)
3. Access Coupons to Networking Lunch for 2 personnel (per 9 sqm of your booth)
4. Access to Penguin Party at 50% tariff
5. Network with members of audience through Mobile App
6. Promote special offers amongst audience through Mobile App

A. Yes! That’s the beauty of co-located events. They allow exhibitors to reach audiences of all shows happening at the venue.

A. Yes, the convention centre does have a full-fledged parking facility for 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers. But, in case you are coming in late, you may encounter a full-house. In such a situation, you would be better off if you hailed a cab such as Ola or Uber.