MeshForum's mission and vision, 2005

Conferences are an opportunity to step outside of our regular work environment, to meet new people, to hear ideas presented from alternative perspectives, to stretch ourselves.

MeshForum will bring together academics and business professionals across many fields and industries, bound together by a shared interest in Networks - in understanding, navigating, securing and working within and with them.

Speakers, panelists, and exhibited artists have been selected to provide a range of perspectives and experiences. Every attendee will, we hope, be challenged and inspired.

The format is designed to allow for highly interactive discussions and Q&A. Lunches and dinners will offer a chance to meet, break bread, and talk informally with attendees and speakers.

On Wednesday, May 4th, we will open up the conference and have a day of engaged conversation in Open Space. Lead by Michael Herman, one of the foremost practitioners, attendees will explore what they have learned from the Monday and Tuesday speakers and panels, and will work together on where to go next.

MeshForum's mission is to bring together and connect networks - around the subject of networks. Our conferences will offer an interdisciplinary forum for the cross-fertilization of ideas, expertise, and experiences. On the web we are working on pulling together resources - lists of experts and researches, biobliographies, organizations working in and researching Networks, events and more. We are exploring other options to further foster and support research across boundries into Networks - these may include in the future a peer reviewed journal, invited guest bloggers, podcasts of MeshForum 2005, and other means to share and spread information.

We invite you to join us, here in Chicago May 1-4, and on the web via comments and soon helping edit our wiki pages.