Wikimedia Blog/Drafts/WikiConference USA

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WikiConference USA 2014 Logo
WikiConference USA 2014 Logo


Register for the WikiConference USA 2014
Visit our Conference Website: http://wikiconferenceusa.org


Over the last several months, a dedicated group of Wikimedians have been meeting regularly to plan something special for Wikimedians from all over the United States. Thanks to a generous grant from the Wikimedia Foundation, Wikimedia District of Columbia and Wikimedia New York City are excited to announce the inaugural WikiConference USA, the first national Wikimedia conference in the United States.

WikiConference USA 2014 will be held on May 30 – June 1, 2014 at New York Law School, located in the Tribeca district of New York City.

The conference will focus on the grassroots efforts of the Wikipedia and Wikimedia movement in the United States, the GLAM movement, Education Program, open access and free knowledge, and related topics under free culture and digital rights.

The first two days of the conference will feature an array of keynotes, workshops, panels, and presentations. Much of the workshops, panels, and presentations will be curated through our call for submissions where attendees have the opportunity to develop a session according to their expertise, area of study, or passion. We've developed a series of general themes, questions, and topic suggestions to help guide your proposal. The third day of the conference will be our dedicated day of “unconference,” where the agenda will be set by the attendees at the beginning of the day, and space will be provided for anyone who wants to initiate a discussion on a particular topic or organize an impromptu edit-a-thon or hack-a-thon!

December meeting of NYC Wikipedians at NYLS building, 185 West Broadway, southwest conference room, 9th floor. Includes seven members of the official organizing team!

WikiConference USA is open to all participants, regardless of previous level of involvement with Wikipedia or the Wikimedia projects. This conference is about bringing together and strengthening the collective Wikipedia, Wikimedia and affiliate communities and alliances within the United States, but more importantly, it is about celebrating our love and passion for Wikipedia and Wikimedia. To do this, the conference is looking to bring in representatives from all US Wikimedia chapters so that we may meet, reconnect, mingle, and engage with each other. A twin mission of this conference is to bring in users, editors, and interested persons from areas of the country that have not yet connected in person with other Wikimedians, whether it be because of geographic constraints or lack of opportunity to do so. We welcome the curious, the skeptical, and others wishing to engage in meaningful conversation about the Wikimedia movement in the United States, free culture and digital rights, advocacy and outreach, community building, and technology.

To accomplish this mission, WikiConference USA will be providing travel scholarships for individuals who are in need of financial assistance. The scholarship will cover the cost of travel and stay in New York City. We are currently accepting scholarship applications. Visit our scholarship page to apply. Applications are due by February 28, 2014.

Last but not least, we’re always looking for people to volunteer or contribute to the planning of the conference. If you’re interested in volunteering or contributing, email wikicon@wikimedianyc.org.

We hope to see you at WikiConference USA 2014 in May!