FOSDEM guide

Some tips for attendees to this amazing conference.

FOSDEM is nothing like an average business conference. You don't need to sign up or check in. Entrance if free but donations are welcomed.

Side events

There are a lot of related events in Brussels around the time of FOSDEM. Check the Fringe page to find some of them.

Many communities have informal events like dinners, breakfasts or scheduled meetups. Make sure to reach out ahead of time to the people you'd like to meet and plan. If you don't, you might totally miss each other.

Navigating

There are signs and maps so getting around should be easy enough. It helps to plan ahead.

A lot of information is available on the schedule. The schedule is available in many forms, including a printout and mobile apps.

If you want to attend a talk, be sure to be in the devroom ahead of time. Often rooms are crowded and you can only get in if spots open because others leave. Fire regulation forbids standing standing people.

Stands are spread around the buildings, grouped by category. A lot are located in the K-building. More details on a dedicated page.

Public transport

You can pay the tram, bus and metro using your bank card. Check in, no need to check out. Use the same card to have the benefit of not paying for subsequent rides. More details by STIB-MIVB.

Food

There are food trucks and there is the restaurant Chez Théo. At lunch time and dinner time both places are crowded with long waiting lines. I usually get some sandwiches in morning at the restaurant to keep in my backpack. This way I won't have to waste time in queues. In the restaurant you can also get a bottle of Club-Mate to fit right in.

Newcomer tip

Experience the scale of FOSDEM by starting in the large Jansons lecture hall. Here the conference starts with an introduction. The room is filled with quality keynotes that speak to a wide audience

Communication channels

FOSDEM is active on Matrix for chat. You can access it online via chat.fosdem.org. There are also multiple mailinglists active.

Volunteering and donating

Volunteers run FOSDEM and the communities present. I you can spend some time, please offer your service. The same goes for donations.