BIRDS OF A FEATHER

BIRDS OF A FEATHER GENERAL INFORMATION

New this year, we will have two types of BOF sessions:

BOF Discussions: Informal sessions where people gather to discuss similar interests and topics.

BOF Presentations: Non-commercial sessions with topics that start productive, engaging discussions.

To be considered, Birds of a Feather (BOF) sessions (BOF Discussions or BOF Presentations) must be:

• Related to computer graphics or interactive techniques
• Open to all registered SIGGRAPH 2020 attendees
• Non-commercial in nature (topics specific to one commercial product or company are not allowed)
• Free of recruitment, sales, product tutorials, or company promotion
• Free of charge (exception can be made for official reunions)

SIGGRAPH 2020 Birds of a Feather are non-juried, attendee-organized sessions. Content is subject to approval based on the criteria above.

Session Submissions

• Both BOF Discussion and BOF Presentation requests can be made through the SIGGRAPH 2020 website until 17 July 2020. Before submitting, ensure all the information in your submission is accurate and complete. Missing information may delay processing your request. After 17 July 2020, email bofs-s2020@siggraph.org for submission information.
• A BOF submission must be filled out for each event even if it is from the same submitter/organization.
• BOF sessions in the convention center can be no longer than three hours, including setup and teardown. There is no limit for hotels.
• BOF sessions cannot start prior to 8 am or end after 6 pm at the convention center. There are no time restrictions for BOFs assigned to hotels.

BOF Rooms

BOF rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served based on type of session, setup, and expected attendance. Organizations/individuals may not hold more than two BOF sessions in a convention center room on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the conference. Additional BOFs can be held on Sunday and/or Thursday. There is not a limit on the number of BOF sessions hosted by an organization/individual in a hotel room.

There are multiple BOF rooms in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Room setups range from 80-250 people. The permanently set rooms are:

1. Fishbowl (theater seats in rounds)
2. Rounds (rounds of 10 people per table)
3. Theater (designated for BOF Presentations, first-come, first-served)

Changes to these setups are not permitted. Attendance cannot exceed seats in any BOF rooms. Any BOF that exceeds seating capacity may be stopped by the Washington D.C. fire marshall.

The 90-seat ACM SIGGRAPH Theater in the convention center also is available for presentations with a strong national or international focus or presentations that are highly relevant to the ACM SIGGRAPH organization. Audio/video equipment is provided at no charge in this room. Presentations must be approved. If you are interested, check the appropriate box provided as you are filling out your BOF submission.

Any groups in need of a hotel can select their choice from the drop-down box of the BOF form. Any official SIGGRAPH 2020 hotel with space can host a BOF.

Do not contact the convention center or any hotels until you have received your confirmation from SIGGRAPH 2020 Conference Management. Venues cannot assign space or confirm details until this approval is received.

Costs

Space in the convention center is complimentary but limited.

There is not a charge for BOF rooms in most hotels, but setup fees or food and beverage purchase minimums may apply. SIGGRAPH 2020 Conference Management will let you know if there could be any fees/minimums prior to confirming your space request. For any excessive setup or teardown times a fee may also apply.

Payment for all services (food and beverage, audio/visual, etc.) in the convention center or a hotel is the responsibility of the BOF organizer.

Audio Visual

There will be one BOF room in the convention center for the BOF Presentation sessions set with a microphone, LCD, and screen at no cost to organizers. This room is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to use that room select it when submitting your BOF request.

For other convention center and hotel BOF rooms, organizers must provide their own AV set. Organizers may use their own or order through the contact provided in the BOF confirmation. Any charges are the responsibility of the organizer.

Confirmation

If your request is approved, you will receive an email acknowledgment within two weeks that includes all necessary contact information. BOFs located in hotels will receive a confirmed room assignment at that time. BOFs held in the convention center will receive a room assignment four weeks prior to the conference.

Event Publication

All BOF event information will be published on the SIGGRAPH 2020 website and the conference mobile app.

To be publicized, BOF events must be held in one of the official hotels or the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Events in other locations cannot be advertised in any SIGGRAPH 2020 conference materials.

ASCAP/BMI Fees

ASCAP and BMI are membership associations of U.S. composers, songwriters, and publishers of every kind of music. Whenever music (recorded or live) is played at an event, a license must be purchased from these associations. The license purchase is the responsibility of the organizer and not the venue where the event is to be held.

Exhibitor Space

Exhibitors are not approved to use BOF rooms. Exhibitors are required to complete an exhibitor space form provided by exhibition management. See your exhibitor information kit for a form.