UNCONFERENCE FAQs
What is an unconference?
An Unconference flips traditional conference structures on their head, instead providing a dynamic environment where attendees shape the content and direction in real-time.
Through open discussions, breakout sessions, and collaborative activities, participants will delve into topics that matter most to them, sparking innovative ideas, generating shared expertise, and building meaningful connections.
The Firebrand Unconference will confirm a clear collective understanding of what our local business owners and creators *actually* need and want as they (we!) build our businesses here, so that our collective community support network can be built out accordingly.
Who can / should attend the Unconference?
Founders, entrepreneurs and innovators in the Greater Kitsap region who:
- Are actively starting, building, running, or scaling a business
- Are actively tackling problems in innovative, out-of-the-box ways
- Want to connect with other local entrepreneurs and innovators
- Are hungry to learn, share, and do things in creative, future-forward new ways
Will the event be recorded?
Yes, some portions of the event will be recorded via video and/or still photography. If you would prefer not to appear in any media recordings, please let us know and we are happy to comply with your request.
Note that there will be no video recorded of the unconference interactive deep dive sessions, as they will be private discussions, available only to attendees. Unconference breakout sessions are open only to business owners: non-business sponsors and support orgs will be asked to step out of the room during those two sessions.
Can I bring a friend?
Yes! Good things happen when friends come together.
All attendees for both events must have a ticket. Both the Firebrand Unconference and After Party are expected to sell out. Don’t wait to grab yours!
What’s the ‘why’ behind the Firebrand Unconference?
As Kitsap’s leading entrepreneurs + innovators, we know what keeps us up at night. The Firebrand Unconference is our chance to come together and compare notes with people who can actually relate–all while discovering smart solutions, fresh inspiration, and useful new connections, too.
Our goals in holding the event are to:
- Build community
- Create a platform that gives explicit voice and agency to Kitsap’s entrepreneurs and innovators, and fosters an ever-increasing sense of community amongst them
- Identify ongoing gaps and support needs, resulting in a playbook for our community to build on what business owners, entrepreneurs and innovators truly need
- Position Kitsap to become the go-to place for innovators and entrepreneurs to successfully connect, grow, scale, thrive, and find meaningful, results-driven support
- Hone collaboration and coordination between key ecosystem stakeholders (e.g. private sector, government, technical service providers, academia, funders, support services and more)
AFTER PARTY FAQs
Is access to the After Party included with my Unconference ticket?
No. We hope you will choose to attend both, if you’ve been extended an invitation to the Unconference, but you will need to purchase both tickets separately.
A discount code makes the After Party tickets available to all Unconference attendees at a substantial discount. Look for the discount code in your Unconference invitation email.
Who can attend the After Party?
Everyone who is passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation!
As the capstone event to the daytime Unconference, the After Party is the place to continue the conversations from the day, and mix and mingle with founders, business owners, investors, creators, and champions in a relaxed, informal setting designed for building meaningful connections.
The After Party is a ticketed event that is open to everyone 21+ and intended to create space for informal relationship building. You do not need to be an attendee of the Unconference to attend the After Party.
GENERAL FAQs
I want to attend, but it’s beyond my budget right now. Are any scholarships available?
We are committed to making the Firebrand Unconference + After Party financially accessible for all. Limited sponsored tickets are available to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation. Please contact us at hello@matchsticklab.co to request a sponsored ticket.
I may require accommodations to participate in the Firebrand Unconference and/or After Party effectively. Can you assist?
Absolutely. We want all of our events to be accessible to everyone. Please email us at hello@matchsticklab.co to let us know how we can best support your experience.
Who is organizing this?
The Firebrand Unconference is presented by Matchstick Lab, in partnership with stakeholders from across the Peninsula who share our passion for the success of visionary, high impact business built and grown in Kitsap.
The idea was first introduced by Matchstick Lab parent brand, Vibe Coworks, and Kitsap’s official destination marketing organization, Visit Kitsap Peninsula, at a grassroots, monthly meeting of individuals and organizational representatives who are passionate about the “care and feeding of Kitsap’s entrepreneurial ecosystem”.
SPONSOR FAQs
How do I become a sponsor?
As an integral partner in fostering stronger community connections among innovators and entrepreneurs in the Greater Kitsap region, we invite you to join us in becoming a transformative sponsor of the inaugural 2024 Unconference. Details on sponsorship opportunities are available here.
Sponsorships can be made in one of two ways:
- A business-expensable sponsorship made through the Matchstick Lab parent brand, Vibe Coworks, or
- A tax-deductible 501c3 donation made to Matchstick Lab fund through the Kitsap Community Foundation
Please contact us at hello@matchsticklab.co to claim your sponsorship spot and/or to request additional details.
What are the benefits of becoming a Firebrand Unconference sponsor?
Please see our Sponsorship Opportunities listing for full details on the value of our 2024 sponsorship levels, all of which provide the following opportunities and benefits:
- Enhanced Brand Visibility: Showcase your brand throughout the Firebrand Unconference, including on promotional materials, event signage, and digital platforms, reaching a diverse audience of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startup enthusiasts.
- Access to Target Audience: Engage with our attendees offering opportunities for exposure and recognition, allowing you to connect with potential clients, partners, and collaborators.
- Demonstrate Leadership: Position your organization as a leader and innovator within the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting Firebrand and being a part of solutions to address challenges and opportunities in the community.
- Build Lasting Relationships: Forge meaningful connections with fellow sponsors, speakers, and community members, fostering long-term partnerships and opportunities for collaboration beyond the event.
- Contribute to Community Growth: By supporting the Firebrand Unconference, you play a vital role in strengthening the fabric of our community, empowering entrepreneurs and innovators to thrive and drive positive change in the region.
Do I get complimentary tickets if I’m a sponsor?
Please see our Sponsorship Opportunities for full details on the value of our 2024 sponsorship levels, all of which provide the following tickets or ticket options:
- Complimentary Unconference Tickets: We would love to have all sponsors be able to see the unconference in action, however, due to limited capacity, we are not able to provide complimentary tickets to all sponsors. Please see our Sponsorship Benefits for full details on what your sponsorship will provide you.
- Complimentary After Party Tickets: The early bird gets the worm here. The first sponsors will get complimentary tickets to the After Party, though limited due to capacity of the location of the After Party. Please see our Sponsorship Benefits for full details on what your sponsorship will provide you.
- Early Access to Purchase Additional After Party Tickets: The more the merrier is something we believe in, however, we are limited by venue capacity. If you weren’t able to get all the complimentary tickets your team would like, as a sponsor, you get first access to purchase additional tickets to the After Party on a first-come, first-served basis. Please see our Sponsorship Benefits for full details on what your sponsorship will provide you.
I’ve still got questions (or ideas!). Who should I contact?
We’d love to hear from you, and are happy to help. Please drop us an email at hello@matchsticklab.co.