7 countries / 17 Companies
Exploring the Hard business of software
You’re in Ops. You’ve spent years as a founder, as a partner, a change agent, a heavy lifter, an executor, and a mentor. You have your hands in everything and you carry the weight of your organization. But you don’t have to do it alone. You're invited to be part of a small, hand selected group of individuals to join our global retreat and create something big.
Build Connections
You are concerned about recruiting, about staffing, and utilization and forecasting. You want to grow your people and execute for your clients. You keep the lights on and make the whole organization hum. Yet, it’s funny that the role that is so integral to the organization’s success rarely gets the opportunity to pair and collaborate with their peers, the way developers do. The Ops Conf Retreat will help build connections, share insights, and provide a support network for those who share similar goals, have similar values, and tackle the same tough obstacles in our industry.
Explore challenging topics
We will facilitate the Ops Conf retreat as an “unconference”, allowing you flexibility to explore topics of interest, whether they be sales, staffing, organizational growth, adaptive leadership, career development, or whatever else you may bring to the table.
See the proposed schedule for the 2018 retreat below.
Get Inspired with new ideas
In addition to the unconference, we will facilitate a few key sessions to harness the creativity of this group. We’ll discuss better ways to manage stress and become more adaptive problem solvers; capable of creating, innovating, and working quickly under conditions of great uncertainty.
2020 Retreat
Aug 26 - Aug 30 // Lake Tahoe
Wednesday
Fly in and drive to Lake Tahoe. Arrive and unpack in time for our welcome dinner. We'll be unpacking and relaxing in our private house rental the first night.
Thursday
Day One: Welcome to Ops-Conf!
We'll spend the morning in facilitation getting to know the various members in the community. Reconnect with old friends and meet new ones before we head out in the afternoon to explore the unique mountain and lake views..
Focus: Biggest Mistake and Professional Failures since last year. As is our tradition, we always share the bad ideas before we get to the good ones. And in keeping with the Walkshop, we will arrange for a hike to stretch our legs and explore the new environment together while we unpack these failures. After a successful day on the trail, we will return to the house and cook a big meal together.
Friday
Day Two: Unconference Day 1
We will get together to explore various topics affecting our industry in an unconference facilitation style. People can nominate topics for discussion and break into small groups. At dinner time, we will cook together and make an amazing meal as a team.
Saturday
Day Three: Unconference Day 2
Our last day, we will explore topics and discussions in a “show and tell” format where people can share their new ideas, latest innovations, and really anything that others might benefit and learn from.
Saturday night, we'll conclude with our traditional "formal dinner" - a chance to get dressed up and enjoy a stunning meal together in a truly unique setting.
Sunday
Travel day. Go home loaded with new ideas and new connections!
Impact on our Industry
The Ops Conf community has served as both support and inspiration for some of the best leaders in the software industry. Together, we have collaborated on new innovations, supported each other through role transitions, and provided advice as companies have grown, changed, and turned over.
Ingrid AloNGi, Co-Founder Of Quickleft
"I really appreciate a conference that centers around the consulting industry, which is not the general focus at tech conferences. I was able to collaborate and compare notes with other people in this sector and have been keeping in touch with other attendees ever since. I'm excited to go back for this year!"
Dewayne Greenwood, Co-Founder of Gaslight
"It is an amazing experience to meet with other like minded people working to solve similar problems. I learned so much from each person and laid the foundation for lasting friendships. It was very well done. I look forward to going again."
Marian Phelan, CEO of Hashrocket
"OpsConf was a wonderful opportunity to brainstorm with leaders of like minded consultancies, work through business challenges together, and forge bonds that will lead to future collaboration."
Mike Jansen, VP of Operations of 8th Light
"The best part of any conference is the chance to forge strong connections with the people that have walked a similar path to your own. You're lucky to make one of those at any given conference. At OpsConf, I walked away with at least five of them, plus a network of people that I've kept in touch with to talk about successes, challenges, and failures throughout the year."
Food + Lodging
A Private compound to call our own
We will be taking over an enormous mountain home where we can have some solitude. We will be near Lake Tahoe and near many hiking trails. Our unique accommodations and private dining experiences have all been chosen to encourage quiet spaces, a contemplative environment, and a free flowing exchange of ideas.
Interact.
The private setting has been chosen for its ability to foster collaborative interactions during the retreat. Use this time to break away from your normal setting and interact with others in this group.
Come Hungry.
As is our tradition with Ops-Conf, we will arrange for private dining experiences, incredible meals made by local chefs. Come hungry for good food and new ideas.