First experience at an Unconference
Play14, an unconference where no agenda is set and is the people that matters. Read on to know what happened.
I attended a conference event titled Play14 Kuala Lumpur, apparently a worldwide event that uses an unconference format to host their participants.
What is an unconference, you may ask? As their website describes it: "There's no fixed agenda and nobody pushing sessions at you. Each morning the room decides what happens: you pitch the games and conversations you want to run, and you join the ones that pull you in. Not feeling a session? The Law of Two Feet says get up and find a better one — no offence taken, ever. You're not in the audience here. You're co-writing the program."
You don't learn this stuff by being told. You learn it by doing it, with other people, in the room. Which brings us to the people.
And indeed it was as described. It was a two and a half day event, where people who are in it for the connections, the creativity, the joy, the generosity, the games and conversations gather in the same space and define our own experience. With the belief that learning is innate and adults can self-organise, the event was able to easily lower our inhibition and open up a safe space to play and fail too.
But really, what to actually expect?
Day 1 (half day: 7pm - 10pm)
We were "checked-in" and showered with merchandise, player tags, and got our pictures taken with a polaroid camera! The tag and polaroid was designed as part of the event culture and rapport-building game materials.
Some of the merch provided to us: From left: a teh tarik design pouch and a nasi lemak reusable bag, my player card lanyard, play14 keychain.
We were then served dinner while participants stream in at different time (it was a working Friday), and some from different countries!
After dinner, the hosting committee began warming us up to one another through different activities, including a "failed" dance, which could be intentional to immediately model to you it is okay to fail in this space. Everyone had a good laugh, vibes were welcoming, and everyone was friendly and energetic albeit it being the end of a Friday going into the weekend.
Next, they set and managed expectations by sharing a bit of history of the event, the objectives, code of conduct, and the format of the event for Day 2 and 3. Then, using the player cards provided, we were broken up into groups with one of the hosting committee as the group facilitator to engage us further and clarify any enquiries we may have of the event. My group faci was a funny one, so he broke the ice between the group members rather quickly.
And that was it, we ended the night for Day 1.
This is a non-profit event, we've been told. Says the same on their website for all global events of theirs too.
Day 2 (full day: 9am - 6pm)
Day 2 started with breakfast, then some energisers.
For the day's agenda, the hosting committee presented an empty schedule board, with only the x-axis displaying the timeslots in 1-hour chunks, and the y-axis showing the different spaces available for the sessions. Participants were then given opportunity to present and offer a session or more, if they'd like to. You are expected to write your session title, how long it'll take (usually in slots of 1 hour, so anything from 5min to 1hr is acceptable), how many participants you'd like to host this for, how much energy it will take (low to high, physical or mental energy), and your name as the host of the session. Pitches are done in quick lightning rounds of 30sec or so.
Participants can also choose to just listen and participate. Sessions ranges from full-fledged corporate training activities to a 10-min dance slot, to a 30min conversation, to a 15min kids game+15 min feedback sesh (mine). I plucked up my courage to pitched Gold Get It, a treasure hunt in a box game I designed for 9yo. My intention was to ask for a lil feedback and validation, albeit the fact that I have closed down this venture (for now). I asked for 3 to 5 players and promised a low energy game.
Once the agenda was up, the time slots began and everyone was free to choose whichever session they want to participate in, or to just sit and chat. And everyone will be accountable for following the agenda to avoid delays across the day. Nice and simple, and we were off!
Activities I went for, from top left: Tower of Chairs, Change Storm, Tactical Tic Tac Toe; Emotion Baby card, Transformation game card pieces, Herrman Diversity Game manual, Transformation game board.
It wasn't easy to choose which to miss for concurrent sessions running, all sessions could sound fantastic. the FOMO is real here! At the end of the day, any players can request for selected sessions to be repeated the next day. This will be placed in the Parking Lot. They also opened spaced for everyone to retrospect our day.
I was very honoured to have been put in the Parking Lot from Day 2. Apparently many players heard raving reviews about my game and wanted to experience it too. One kind player even openly pointed me out and complimented my game during the retrospection space! I was then prompted at the end of Day 2 to prepare, if there is a chance to slot me back in for Day 3, and they kindly asked for my consent to host as well. Some players even offered to help if I need any support to ensure I can host another game on Day 3! Such sweethearts! I was genuinely sooo touched.
Snippet from my GGI gameplay session.
Day 3 (full day)
After breakfast and some energisers, day 3 restarts with an empty schedule board. As mentioned, the difference today is that if there is any unfilled slots, Day 2's session can be repeated, with the agreement of the facilitator and requests from the players.
As the agenda was not fully filled, I was half-shy, half-proud to offer my session again. I assembled new Gold Get It (GGI) boxes the night before, with the expectations to give it all away anyway, regardless whether I get a slot again. I was floored by the reception on Day 2. Knowing a rough estimate of the number of participants at play 14, I believe I have spread the joy from GGI to about 30-40% of the participants.
From left: a polaroid of me hosting my session on Day 2; the Marketplace on Day 3; my slot was adjusted to share a space with Shireen (another host at 1615hr) so I can attend hers then she can attend mine, cos we were both taking only half hour each in a 1hr slot.
Day 3 had me hosted triple the number of players I had in Day 2.
By the end of the day, we not only did a retrospection like Day 2, but also ended on a high with all of us collecting our individual "pigeon hole" envelope, sharing our gratitude, exchanging contacts, and bidding our farewells with hugs and/or snapping of group pics! ❤
I sobbed alone reading the heartfelt messages of validation, encouragement, and support from the play14 community. They have given me a reminder of what I truly find joy from as well.
Post-it notes of the final day overall retrospection and feedback on the 3d2n play14 event.
Our pigeon holes were designed early on at the event and hung up across the days for anyone to drop messages in for each other.
Ending Reflection
This event reminded me a lot of the Fellowship programme at Teach For Malaysia, where I was a Fellow and now a staff. What it offered was a community of like-minded individuals, out only to spread joy, kindness, hope, and opportunities for one another. This is the space where ideas can come to life, where experiences can pave a better road for others, where connections and trust are built not on a one-off basis but for potentially your lifetime (or at least your career life), where validations built confidence, and silliness enriches the inner child of ours.
How much did I pay for it? RM550 for an early bird ticket.
Was it worth the price? ABSOLUTELY! When you optimise your time there and own your experience then, there is only value-add. Time enjoy wasting is not time wasted!
Wanna know more? Let's connect on LinkedIn!