DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

[211374U]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

Official RFI for ALL DEF CON Contents and Events are forthcoming in the next 2 - 3 weeks. Anyone who wants to bring back an event or contest, and anyone interested in submitting a new contest or event idea will be REQUIRED to fill out forms!

To be clear: Even if you are a "staple" event and you choose not to fill out the forms, you will not be a part of DC 22! So keep a keen eye on these forums and your email boxes for updates as they occur!

The Contest & Events Team

LMG would like confirmation that the Security Network Forensics Puzzle Contest is a go for DEFCON 22. This will be our 5th year hosting the contest and we are really excited to be a part of this year's conference. We have already begun constructing the contest but before we get too invested in the project we would really appreciate confirmation that the contest is approved for this year's DEFCON.

[TheSiscoCoon]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

"Hacker War Games" will be back this year!

I will be giving away at least 1 FREE badge (maybe 2 FREE badges) this year to DefCon 22. Details will come later (maybe soon) so keep an eye out.

If you like shooting real guns or would like to try it for the first time then this contest is for you (ladies are very welcome). You WILL even get the chance to shoot a high power rifle for a long shot Sniper Shot.

[TheCotMan]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

Friday is the LAST day to submit an Event or Contest!

Make sure to go to http://defcne.net and get your submissions in!

Thanks!

Based on context, that would be this Friday, Friday, May 2, 2014 for DEF CON 22.

Feel free to post another reminder tomorrow, if you want.

[hackajar]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

Friday is the LAST day to submit an Event or Contest!

Make sure to go to http://defcne.net and get your submissions in!

[bombnav]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

Hardware Hacking Village submitted.

[hackajar]

Re: Android Netrunner Tournament

I was thinking about submitting a request to host a tournament of Android Netrunner LCG. Would like to see if anyone would be interested in this before I proceed. For those who do no know it is a card game based on hacking. I have posted a couple of links, one is from the company who makes it and the other is a video tutorial of how to play. I am looking for enough interest to officially submit an event at DEFCON. I am also looking for one or two gamemasters who are skilled in the game to help with the tournament.

DO IT!

more characters for filter here

[DarthPraetor]

Android Netrunner Tournament

I was thinking about submitting a request to host a tournament of Android Netrunner LCG. Would like to see if anyone would be interested in this before I proceed. For those who do no know it is a card game based on hacking. I have posted a couple of links, one is from the company who makes it and the other is a video tutorial of how to play. I am looking for enough interest to officially submit an event at DEFCON. I am also looking for one or two gamemasters who are skilled in the game to help with the tournament.

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ed...%20Card%20Game

http://youtu.be/VAslVfZ9p-Y

[hackajar]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

I'm assuming roamer doesn't have to submit the Goon Band, unless we wanted a blurb on the site or in the program, right? since the only shows this year are likely to be the 303 party and maybe one other performance (heh, EFF Summit? wink wink, nudge nudge) I don't know if we are listed among the other artists at the B&W ball.

If you would like a "freestanding" event - a show dedicated just to the band - I would recommend someone, probably you since you already have so much in the system, submit it as an "Event". Anything under B&W, 303, theSummit would be handled internally by those events directly.

Personally, I would think a freestanding event would be awesome sauce!

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

Lockpick Village, Black Bag contest, and DEFCON Shoot are all submitted. I hear that arose4beni submitted DEAF CON, as well.

I'm assuming roamer doesn't have to submit the Goon Band, unless we wanted a blurb on the site or in the program, right? since the only shows this year are likely to be the 303 party and maybe one other performance (heh, EFF Summit? wink wink, nudge nudge) I don't know if we are listed among the other artists at the B&W ball.

[eris]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

In case you missed it, we are now taking submission requests for DEF CON Events, Contests and Villages! If you have not already done so, please swing be http://defcne.net/ to get your submission in!

Submitted, thank you.

[hackajar]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

In case you missed it, we are now taking submission requests for DEF CON Events, Contests and Villages! If you have not already done so, please swing be http://defcne.net/ to get your submission in!

[hackajar]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

RFI for all DEF CON Contests and Events to drop within next 72 hours. Standby!

Also - All official confirmations of Contests and Events will be finalized by May 30th and announced here.

[hackajar]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

Again - Inline

I've waited until [the last minute || too long] to fill out my form, and Contest Goons are not giving me any answers within minutes of being asked. Are they ignoring me? What is the deal? Are they too busy making plans for DEF CON, and organizing contest space, and drafting map proposals for the fire marshal and getting content for the program plus their normal work and family life outside of DEF CON to immediately pay attention to me?
A: We have expanded the reach of who can respond and make some basic decisions. We hope that this will allow for faster turnaround and less bottlenecks. Remember, you now have three official Goons you can bug here and on twitter :D

What advantages exist in getting information about a contest/event to you early, instead of later?
A: Any details, especially for bigger events, can be baked in and issues resolved quicker. Translation: Your contest/event will probably look more like what you imaged than a contest/event that submits at last min.

Will there be any space [outside||near the pool] allocated for contests/events like they were at the Rio and Alexis Park?
A: Pool area may be requested, but in a very limited capacity. To use numbers, there is a 5% chance of request getting approved. This has more to do with hotel comfort than anything else. Also, that area is "public" during the day, so non-badged people will be in that area. Also, there are heat issues with outside contests/events during sunlight hours.

How do we get our contest information into the information I've seen data-projected in the contest room about contests and events?
A: So long as you filled out the form correctly, your information will be displayed everywhere we use (Monitors, projectors, Twitter, Tumblr, etc.). Also, "Live" data is 100% on you. If you did something cool during your contest and told no one, than it never really happened (see also: tree in the woods)

I want to run a contest, but have stuff I want to lock-up at night when we go home. Can I get my own room, and keyed access for just me and a second for my contest/event?
A: We have the contest "area" that is locked at night, with a full time security officer. We also have a private storage room for contest stuff that is SUPER sensitive. Only hotel and two DEF CON staffers have access to that at night.

NO DUMMIE! I meant I wanted a free hotel room!
A: Sorry, hotel rooms are not available for free to people who run contests.

One year, I saw they padlocked a room with locks and chains to prevent people from entering. [Black and White Ball room several years ago.] Is this something we can do on our own if we get our own room?
A: We will not be handing out custom secure area's just for individual contests or contests that have "caucused" to get a private secure room. Everyone will have an opportunity to store items in the community secured area, which will only have access from DEF CON and hotel staff (see above)

We are running a contest/event that includes booze. Are there any special considerations for this? Is this handled in a case-by-case basis (the answer depends on what, where, how and why)? Is this something we should absolutely include in the form we fill out as something we want to do?
A: You will need to contact us ASAP. There is enough red tape to out jog Forrest Gump in this space. Even before the official form drops, if you plan to have booze, ping us as soon as you read this!

I'd like to run a [poker||blackjack||gambling*] event at DEF CON for [money|prizes] and a cash fee to enter. Can I bring in my own [dealers|employees|volunteers]? Are there are issues with this idea and the hotel/casino that I need to be made aware of? (This idea seems to come up every other year, with the same questions and answers asked, and the planning and work required seems to prevent people from making it happen.)
A: No private gambling is permissible on the entire property (including hotel rooms). We do not govern what happens in hotel rooms, and we do not condone/support anything that happens there either. If you want to host a gambling based contest, we can request the hotel work with you to set this up.

Long Answer: World Poker Tour, WSOP and many other large events actually take place very frequently at Caesar Properties (they own rights to WSOP and it is hosted at Rio each year). Thus, the casino is "capable" of hosting a specialized gambling based event/contest. This does not mean that they will take any idea you submit. I can see something like "DEF CON Invitational Texas Hold'em" where you pair up with either established poker players, or eFamous hackers in some DEF CON only event in the casino. Just ask, and do it early!

I'm a jerk-wad, and am going to fill out a request for an event, claiming to be one thing, but then totally go bus route twenty-stupid, max-jerk-wad-special, and cause problems. Can you kick me out at DEF CON, or deny my event even after I was approved using [fraudulent||misleading||inaccurate||omitting] critical information?
A: This happens more often than you think. Last year, someone actually showed up 2 days late with a half baked contest, stood around for 3 hours, decided they were too cool for running a contest and literally walked out. All while leaving behind posters, items, instructions and rules for us to clean up. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Like in the past, we try to deal with this as diplomatically as possible, but make no mistake, anything that can harm human life, damage property, subject DEF CON to fines, criminal law and litigation will be quashed up quick and in a hurry.

How do I get people interested in my contest/event? Will you promote my contest/event for me?
A: To be frank, if your contest is weak sauce, than we can't "make" people sign-up. However, we will not be a barrier to people not knowing about your contest. We will leverage: DEF CON Forums, Twitter, Blog Posts, RT/HT/MT, InfoBooth, Data inside program handed to every attendee, monitors in hallways, overhead speakers, mentions of event before talks in the tracks (on select basis, bug us to do this for you).

[TheCotMan]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

Thanks for all the answers!

I've heard that sometimes, rarely, an event will be set as approved, then this status will be revoked, as more information is required. Has any contest or event ever re-gained status as approved after losing it, but providing the extra information that was requested?

[B]A: We will need full forms, with all details up front. It is possible that some Events & Contests simply cannot get these details. This will create a "case by case" condition, and will be handled as such. We cannot respond to more specific situations at this time.

Sorry about being so vague with that one; I did not want to call out any names of any past events. The purpose of this was to have people understand that if the status of an event goes from "Approved" to "not approved" or "waiting for more information" it does not mean, the event will never, ever be approved. Your answer is spot-on with respect to how it is resolved... each is addressed in a case-by-case basis.
I was hoping to decrease risk of drama by letting organizers know that, historically, sometimes being moved from "approved" to "more info needed" is a result of misleading information in the form, contradictory information from different sources claiming to be involved with planning, or any number of other things, and once these are resolved, it is possible that an event can return to approved. (I know of 2 or 3 events where this happened, and at least 2 provided new information to satisfy planning, and were given the green-light again, even though it sometimes took a while.)

Summary of advice from my PoV as someone that is NOT a contest goon, but has observed the process:
Sometimes a change of status is what it claims to be, and more information is needed. There is no need for contest/event leaders/organizers to assume there is a conspiracy, or the change in status absolutely means their event is a no-go. No need to throw-down flags, "escalate this to DT", or take complaints to social media. Discuss the issue with the DEF CON contest goons first, and be patient, because that has resolved issues in the past, much more quickly than any other route or choice. Also? Don't burn bridges. :-)

More questions:

I've waited until [the last minute || too long] to fill out my form, and Contest Goons are not giving me any answers within minutes of being asked. Are they ignoring me? What is the deal? Are they too busy making plans for DEF CON, and organizing contest space, and drafting map proposals for the fire marshal and getting content for the program plus their normal work and family life outside of DEF CON to immediately pay attention to me?

What advantages exist in getting information about a contest/event to you early, instead of later?

Will there be any space [outside||near the pool] allocated for contests/events like they were at the Rio and Alexis Park?

How do we get our contest information into the information I've seen data-projected in the contest room about contests and events?

I want to run a contest, but have stuff I want to lock-up at night when we go home. Can I get my own room, and keyed access for just me and a second for my contest/event?

One year, I saw they padlocked a room with locks and chains to prevent people from entering. [Black and White Ball room several years ago.] Is this something we can do on our own if we get our own room?

We are running a contest/event that includes booze. Are there any special considerations for this? Is this handled in a case-by-case basis (the answer depends on what, where, how and why)? Is this something we should absolutely include in the form we fill out as something we want to do?

I'd like to run a [poker||blackjack||gambling*] event at DEF CON for [money|prizes] and a cash fee to enter. Can I bring in my own [dealers|employees|volunteers]? Are there are issues with this idea and the hotel/casino that I need to be made aware of? (This idea seems to come up every other year, with the same questions and answers asked, and the planning and work required seems to prevent people from making it happen.)

I'm a jerk-wad, and am going to fill out a request for an event, claiming to be one thing, but then totally go bus route twenty-stupid, max-jerk-wad-special, and cause problems. Can you kick me out at DEF CON, or deny my event even after I was approved using [fraudulent||misleading||inaccurate||omitting] critical information?

How do I get people interested in my contest/event? Will you promote my contest/event for me?

Hope this helps!

-Cot

[hackajar]

Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014

suggestion: if at all possible, can the Contest/Event Submission System work in such a way that once someone goes through the whole official proposal, this data gets saved (or at least some of it gets saved... most importantly the contest description and photos or logos) so that future years the organizers need only re-submit the key details and not the long blocks of text?
.

Yes! The idea is that contests and events can re-up in future years. We started this process last year and, hopefully, will have it fully baked this year for next year!