LAST Conference Melbourne 2022.

Submission guidelines.

 Submissions are closed.

24 August update

We have filled and announced almost all of slots in the schedule.

See the accepted submissions

The submission process.

LAST Conference has always been opinionated in its ethos. We have a particular emphasis on encouraging engaging submissions for the event. We really want you to take in the information on this page, even if you have been a Session Leader at a previous LAST Conference.

 Here are the steps you will follow:

  1. Review the info below
  2. Watch the videos that explain our ethos, and what will give you the best chance of being accepted

    These 2 steps will require about 45 minutes of your time.

  3. Click through, and complete the form
  4. Check your email. You will receive a link to the submission system that we are using.
  5. Follow the instructions on the submission system to submit your proposal

Why is it so particular?

Ever since the first edition in 2012, we have made a point to help people who submit sessions put on the best, most engaging session that they can. We've run public speaking training, peer reviewed workshops, and information sessions. As you can get a sense of, from the highlight video, we did a pretty good job at having high quality content at LAST.

The break caused by COVID-19 for an in-person LAST with open submissions, means that we are even more mindful of helping submitters put in an idea, and iterate on it. If it gets a slot on the schedule, we want it to be the best that it can be for everyone who goes to the session, including you.

Watch these videos!

In 2018 we held an info session. There are some logistics that are different in 2022 e.g a different venue, a single day only, and fewer spaces and participants than ore-COVID. What still applies, are the principles around the content, and the thought process submitters are encouraged to take. Even though we are being thorough about passing on the principles we want you to work on, there is still flexibility for you, when you submit ideas.

You will be pointed to specific info in the the videos that you must understand before submitting session ideas to us.

Origins of LAST Conference

Relevant info is 2:00 to end of clip.

What content do we want. Part 1

Relevant info:

Please review the whole video.

  • What about Lean and Systems Thinking?
  • What is overdone?
  • Technical content

Note - Craig talks about 2 days and repeating sessions, this is not applicable in 2022.

What content do we want. Part 2.

Please review the whole video.

  • Contains a breakdown ofwho comes 

NB There are few slots available than Craig shows on his slides.

Slides, Case Studies, other formats, Games.

Important! This video talks about different formats for sessions. Presentations in front of slides have their place BUT they can also be like treacle. Craig talks about other formats that we really like to encourage. Please review the entire video.

Submission process

We have an iterative process. Craig outlines this. Also see the Key Dates, below.

June 2022 Update

We ran a session that emphasises the main points in the previous videos and any updates for Nov 2022.

 Code of conduct

Please review the Code of Conduct that we have in place.

Optional videos

How you can help out.

Optional. We do need some help on the day, Craig talks about this. He also talks about the Slack Channel and how it's used for comms. Finally he talks about who we get to help us select sessions.

Preparing a session

Optional. Some tips on how to structure and get your message across. Link to video Craig mentions.

On Diversity

We want diversity of presenters.

The Entire Session

This video is the entire info session which is 1 hour long.

Key dates

Dates are subject to change. Don't leave it to the last minute!

What's in it for me?

You may want to share what you know. You may want others to know that you know things e.g prospective employers. You may want to find a bunch of like-minded people. You may want to become a better at facilitating/presenting in public. You may want to have fun, meet people and learn some great stuff that you can take back to your day job.

People who are selected for the schedule will be given a complimentary registration. If you have already registered, we will refund you, or you can pass your registration on to someone else.

Interstate and Overseas speakers

Coming from out of town? Here is our policy about interstate and overseas speakers.

As each event is mainly focused on the community in each city, we don’t expect people to travel from interstate or overseas to participate, although you are welcome if you choose to come. As LAST is an event with low registration prices, we need to keep overheads low. Therefore, we generally do not reimburse travel and accommodation or pay a fee to session leaders/speakers.

See the submissions and schedule.

Go to ConfEngine and see what was submitted and what as accepted. When scheduled, the programme will be found here too.

Fo to ConfEngine