For the past few weeks I’ve been loosely involved in organizing an event called BarCamp Vancouver. Roland, Darren, Andre, Zak and I met up to get things started. We sat in the Bryght offices and had beer, pretzels and Pringles. Since then some other great people have jumped on the wagon and we’ll have to remember to bring more beer to the next gathering. Everything is set to happen over a 24-hour period from 6 pm, Friday, August 25th to 6 pm the following day, Saturday, August 26th.

So what is BarCamp?

BarCamp is an ad-hoc un-conference born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos and interaction from attendees.

All attendees must give a demo, a session, or help with one. All presentions are scheduled the day they happen. Prepare in advance, but come early to get a slot on the wall.

Presenters are responsible for making sure that notes/slides/audio/video of their presentations are published on the web for the benefit of all and those who can’t be present.

Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join.

And here’s a short video from Tara Hunt’s Horse Pig Cow blog that explains it.

So the Vancouver version of BarCamp will start where other BarCamps have left off, but will also break new ground in a new city. How? You’ll have to attend to find out.

I’ve created a posting for BarCamp Vancouver on Upcoming.org, if you like to look at listings and manage some of your social life like I do. But make no mistake! The de facto source of information, and the place to sign up if you want to attend, is the BarCamp Vancouver wiki. Operators are standing by now.