Open Content
What Is Open Content?
Open Content Sessions are a way of presenting at C++Online that is open to anyone in the C++ community, even if you have are not registered at the conference.
Open Content Sessions can be 30, 60 or 90 minutes and appear in the conference program, just like our regular sessions.
These sessions are non-prime time, but can be on ANY SUBJECT you’d like to discuss (subject to approval by the conference) including topics that are non-C++ related or C++ adjacent
Types of open content can include but is not limited to:
- Presenting a lecture
- Presenting a demo/workshop
- Hosting a panel
- Hosting a meetup for a group
- Hosting a “birds of a feather.”/Special Interest Group (SIG)
In addition, open content can also be for social events/games with previous examples including:
- Core C++ Meetup: Core C++ arranged one of their meetups to take place at C++Online. If you would like to try this out for your meetup, then we would be happy to have you!
- Online Tetris Tournament: Dutch C++ ran a competitive and fun tetris tournament to unwind after the first day of the conference.
- C++ Pub Quiz: CppIndia ran a lively and interactive pub quiz to start the final day of the event.
These are just some suggestions and we are happy to consider ANY format of session if you believe that it will work for an online only audience.
[New for 2026: We are looking to schedule more interactive content this year, so applications for social events, quizzes, tournaments and other interactive forms of content have a higher likelihood of success if there is a lot of interest. However that doesnt mean you cant submit and talk (and we still very much encourage you to do so). This year we also plan for all standard talk style open content sessions to take place in Zoom, where they can then be recorded for on-demand access by attendees at any point after the session has concluded. In addition, at both the discretion of the conference and the speaker, the recorded open content talks may be processed and released to the C++Online YouTube channel
In addition, we are broadening the subject criteria for open content and will be accepting submissions on any subject, even if its not directly C++ related. C++ and 'C++ adjacent' content are still very much welcomed, but we are happy to take submissions on broader subjects around programming, or even something completely different like a film discussion group or a stand up comedy routine.]
When Can I Present Open Content?
We have up to 60 minute slots at 12:00 UTC on Thursday and Friday and up to 75 minute slots on Wednesday Thursday and Friday at 20:45 UTC.
Depending on what you are presenting, we may also be able to put you into a lunch or break period if necessary.
How Do I Present Open Content?
Talks/Lectures
Any talks will be presented in Zoom Webinar which for a simpler talk provides the best viewing experience for attendees.
Demos, Workshops, Panels, Meetups & Other Interactive Formats
These type of sessions will be presented in our Gather Town Virtual Venue.
Gather Town is a fully interactive virtual interaction platform, in the style of a retro video game. Users can explore an interactive 2d world through a digital avatar. Users view the space as a 2d top-down map where they can move their character around using keyboard controls. Users can interact with each other through proximity-based video and audio chat, as well as interact with various objects and features within the virtual world.
The Venue is split into a number of 'rooms' which are linked together by doorways, staircases, and other 'entrances'. These include:
- Presentation Rooms - Designed for giving Presentations/Talks to an audience either on your own or with another speaker
- Meeting Rooms - Designed for hosting panels/meetups or anything where you want to have more of an interactive discussion with attendees.
If your application is accepted, you will be assigned a time and a room to present your Open Content.
How Will My Session Work On The Day?
Talk/Lecture
If your application is accepted, then you will be asked to join a technician on Zoom 30 minutes before the start of your session where you will be given a quick tech check.
Then at the start time, you will just need to turn your webcam, microphone and screenshare on and start presenting.
Once your presentation has finished, you will then be removed from the virtual stage.
Demos, Workshops, Panels & Meetups
If your application is accepted, then you will be asked to join a technician in your assigned room 30 minutes before the start of your session where you and any other speakers will be given a quick tech check.
Then in terms of how the session itself will work, there are many different options:
- If you just want to give a workshop or demo with slides/code, then you can stream your video and screenshare to all of the attendees in the room by walking into special "spotlight" tiles.
- If you are wanting to run a panel or a session with multiple speakers, then each speaker can have their own "spotlight" tile they can use.
- You can also have a "spotlight" tile that attendees can use to ask questions in Q&A.
- If you are hosting a meetup or a session where you want more discussion between attendees, then you can either:
- Split attendees into discussion groups
- Or just have one large open discussion space
Or you can do a combination of the two (so present some material that the attendees can then discuss between themselves in groups).
Other Interactive Formats
The flexibility of Gather Town means that it can facilitate all manners of different formats. So if you do have an idea for a session that more unique or complex which requires it's own specific setup (such as a quiz, tournament, game etc), then we will be very happy to discuss your idea with you and work out how to make your idea a reality within the Gather Town venue.
What To Do Next?
If you would be interested in presenting Open Content, then please fill out our online application form which will ask you for information regarding what you want to present as Open Content.
Please provide as much information as you can as this will help us when working out what room to assign you and how your room should be configured.
If accepted, you will be given free access to C++Online and you will be sent further information regarding how to present your open content at C++Online
However, please note that all applications are processed on a first come first serve basis and there are limited slots available so apply as soon as you can to avoid disappointment