All this week was the NAMIC-NCIGT 2009 Summer Working Session, or something. I can never remember its name. It was, in a way, one of the best conferences I’ve ever attended. It was held at MIT, which is much closer to my apartment than my usual office, and well within walking distance. That was especially convenient given my present lack of a working bicycle.
The conference was essentially just one big room at MIT, full of tables, chairs, and power strips. Over 120 people came from across the country (and a few other countries), all funded by one of the NAMIC or NCIGT grants. The plan was simple: take out your laptop and get to work. If you have a question, chances are that the person who knows the answer is in the room. Go find her and ask.
The purpose of the conference was just work, and so there were essentially no talks, apart from the first day when people stated what they intended to work on, and the last day when they reported their progress. There were optional tutorial sessions on technical questions, but most people just kept on working, breaking only for the gourmet catering, serving breakfast, lunch, and and afternoon snack.
I learned a lot by talking to the experts in the room, and got a fair bit accomplished with their help. It was unquestionably productive.