34th Annual FIRST Conference | Neart Le Chéile - Strength Together

Attendee Communications

Overview

For those of you who are new to FIRST events, FIRST sends periodic communications that specifically relate to the event you are registered for. Information will include general reminders, mobile app information (when applicable), tips/suggestions for planning your trip, limited time opportunities, event-related social activities, and messaging from key sponsors and supporters.

Below is a record of messages that have already been sent to FIRSTCON22 delegates to ensure you don't miss out!


July 1, 2022 Thank You for Attending

Dear [Attendees],

Thank you for attending the 34th Annual FIRST Conference: Neart Le Chéile - Strength Together!

Whether you attended in-person or online, we hope you were able to make the most of this week. Just a couple of quick reminders and advise as you all make your way home…

Surveys
Please complete your surveys within the conference app. The session surveys are located within each session. The overall evaluation can be found in the menu under Surveys. Your opinions are important. A reminder that we do share the session surveys with our presenters; please be kind with your words.

Please complete your surveys no later than next Friday, July 8.

Where to Watch Recordings
All recorded TLP:WHITE sessions will be available through the conference app until we are able to complete the move of recordings to the FIRST YouTube channel—we are tentatively aiming for late August. We will provide an email and an announcement on our social channels when the videos are up.

Where to Access Presentation Materials
Final approved presentation materials are being made available at the conference website > https://www.first.org/conference/2022/program and under the specified session. We hope to have all materials uploaded by July 15.

Letters of Attendance/CPE Information
We will be issuing a letter of attendance in email format next week to those that attended in-person and virtually.

Printed Program Book with Attendee List in App
We will be revising the copy that is currently accessible and downloadable in the app with all final changes and a final opt-in attendee list next week for anyone that needs a physical copy. We will indicate “Final” once it is ready in the app menu.

Post-conference Wrap-up Activities Ahead
Keep an eye out for our post-conference wrap-up activities that will be hitting the website and our social media including new FIRST Impressions podcast episodes recorded live from the conference and guest blog spots authored by our sponsors.

Travel Advisement – Travel Out of Dublin Airport
Direct from the Dublin Airport Head of Communications, “All departing passengers are advised to arrive at the airport 2.5 hours before a short-haul flight and 3.5 hours prior to a long-haul flight, with an additional one hour advised if checking in a bag. Opening times for check in and bag drop cart are by airline but can be checked on www.dublinairport.com or directly with the airline. The Dublin Airport team in a variety of hi viz vests are on hand should any passenger require help or advice while at the airport.”

“No passenger who has heeded our travel advice has missed a flight due to queues at security in recent weeks. Indeed, through the month of June so far, 93% of passengers have got through security in less than 45 minutes, with 77% getting through in less than 30 minutes.”

The Dublin Airport Twitter account gives regular advice and updates @DublinAirport and security queues are updated every 15 minutes on the website also www.dublinairport.com.

We can’t believe how fast the week went!
We truly appreciate everyone’s cooperation this week—you have all made the return to in-person events a smooth one. Please be responsible upon your return home and take the necessary precautions as needed. We want to see you all at the next FIRST event!

2023 Save the Date: June 4-9, 2023 in Montreal, Canada at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel

Be sure to follow the event calendar at https://www.first.org/events/calendar/.

Until the next time…

Sincerely,
FIRST Events Office


June 23, 2022 Updates

Dear [Attendee],

And just like that… The 34th Annual FIRST Conference: Neart Le Chéile - Strength Together, is finally here! We look forward to seeing everyone next week. This will be our last pre-conference communication and the lengthiest one 😊. Please flag and review this message when you have some time to focus.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our team via email at events@first.org. We will do our best to respond in a timely manner, but please bear with us as our teams are on-site getting things ready.

In this comms…

  • Capture the Flag Team Registration is Open
  • Last Call to Reg for Sunday Pre-con Training Opportunities!
  • Conference Workshops: Pre-reqs for Two Workshop Sessions…Please Read!
  • Dress Code and Packing Recommendations
  • COVID Safety Reminders
  • Check-in Procedure and On-site Expectations
  • How to Access the Conference & Desktop Versions of the App

Capture the Flag Registration is Open!
INFORMATION ONLY FOR REGISTERED DELEGATES. REDACTED FOR WEBSITE.

Last Call to Reg for Sunday Pre-con Training Opportunities!
There are still seats available for Sunday pre-conference training opportunities. To register, please review your options on the program agenda and visit the registration page https://portal.first.org/registration/firstcon22-sunday-training.

Conference Workshops: Pre-reqs for Two Workshop Sessions…Please Read!
A couple of our conference workshops have provided some pre-requisites for those planning to attend their sessions. Please click through to their abstracts below for details.

Thursday, June 30 | Forensics and Malware Analysis in Linux Environments
https://www.first.org/conference/2022/program#pForensics-and-Malware-Analysis-in-Linux-Environments – PDF download for a pre-lab that must be completed prior to the workshop on Thursday.

Friday, July 1 | ELF Malware Analysis
https://www.first.org/conference/2022/program#pELF-Malware-Analysis-101 – setup and install instructions for laptops/devices that you plan to use during the workshop.

Dress Code and Packing Recommendations
The default dress code is “business casual.” Dress comfortably and be prepared for some rain showers throughout the week. We recommend bringing a light coat and umbrella with you. We suggest packing a few light layers to wear in the conference rooms in case you should feel cold. Coat check is available on-site. There is no special dress code for the FIRST social events.

COVID Safety Reminders
As mentioned in a previous attendee comms, please be sure you have read through our COVID safety reminders available at: https://www.first.org/conference/2022/covid-safety.

FIRST is committed to hosting a safe and enjoyable conference and is complying with the safety protocols consistent with the Irish Government. The FIRST Board of Directors and FIRST staff will continue to work closely with the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) to make certain your health, safety, and comfort are first and foremost.

A kind reminder that we will have enough face masks (3-ply medical grade) available for one per attendee per day. If you are planning to mask up throughout the event, we encourage you to please bring your own supply so that we have enough reserve for anyone who might need a replacement for a broken strap, etc. For those that also requested wristbands (indicating social distancing preference) in their online registration form, you will be able to pick those up with your badge at check-in.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation to embrace the conference theme–“strength together”!

Check-in Procedure and General On-site Expectations
As we return to in-person events, we have updated a few badging procedures. Please be mindful of the following:

Check-in Procedure

Badge Pick-up
Upon arrival at the CCD, please have an ID ready OR a copy of your registration confirmation in-hand OR have a copy of your confirmation ready on your mobile device. Registration desks are located on the entrance level and lines are sorted by the LAST NAME you entered during your online registration. Please be patient, be kind, and allow for some distance between you and the next individual if lines get long. We expect Sunday and Monday to be the busiest for check-in. Check-in will be available all week.

*Once you check-in and receive your badge, you are all set. You do not need to check-in daily.

Registration staff are temp staff and may require time to locate your badge. We have an amazingly international delegation; some names/spellings may not be familiar to the staff, and they may need some guidance. For example, if you have multiple LAST/FAMILY names, your badge will be sorted by the 1st LAST/FAMILY name entered during registration as we sort in alphabetical order. Having an ID or a copy of your registration would be helpful. FIRST event staff will be available in the registration area to assist issues that need escalation and aid in questions relating to the overall conference and program.

If you need a badge reprint, we ask for your cooperation in waiting until Tuesday afternoon before making the request. No exceptions. We would like to get everyone checked in with the least amount of queue crowding as possible.

Swag Bag Station
After you receive your badge, you will be instructed to submit the ticket attached to your badge to the swag table staff. This is the information you indicated during online registration including shirt size preference. We will not permit size exchanges until Thursday morning to ensure all delegates receive their selections fairly. As a reminder, if you registered after June 3rd you are not guaranteed an attendee swag bag.

On-site Expectations
You are required to wear your name badge while in the convention center. Please make your best effort not to forget your badge. If you forget your badge, please report to the registration desks to receive a generic badge to wear for the day. This badge must be returned to the desk once you are able to retrieve your forgotten badge.

We ask that you please be diligent and not lose your badge. If you do lose your badge, please report to the registration desk for a new one.

A friendly reminder that the FIRST Code of Conduct is in full effect during the conference. All delegates agreed to respect the Code of Conduct during the online registration process. For a refresher, please visit: https://www.first.org/about/policies/code-of-conduct.

Please be kind and respect your peers…it’s been an extraordinary couple of years for all.

How to Access the Conference App & Desktop Site
INFORMATION ONLY FOR REGISTERED DELEGATES. REDACTED FOR WEBSITE.

Thank you all again for your time and consideration these last few months. We wish everyone safe travels and look forward to seeing everyone next week.

Sincerely, FIRST Events Office


June 16, 2022 Updates

Dear [Attendee],

Attendee comms email number two coming at you this week! Quite a bit of detail below; if you are busy right now, we would suggest flagging and reading this email when you have some quiet time.

In this comms…

  • About the “Welcome to FIRST Newbie Session”
  • Social Events on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday
  • PGP Key Signing
  • Virtual Participation
  • About Next Week’s Communication

About the “Welcome to FIRST Newbie Session”
Is this your 1st FIRST conference? Join us on Sunday, June 26 at 17:30 local time in Liffey A on Level 1 for a quick and fun informational session. Regardless of your membership status, this session will provide FIRST-timers with all the basic knowledge needed to navigate the conference week. Immediately following the session is the conference kick-off welcome reception on Level 3. We can’t wait!

Social Events at the Convention Center Dublin!
The following activities are hosted by FIRST and are open to all registered delegates of the annual conference.

  • Sunday, June 26 from 18:00-20:00 on Level 3 – Welcome Reception
    Join us for our annual opening reception on Sunday! Registration will be open throughout the reception so swing in, grab your badge, and head up to the reception for some good old-fashioned IN-PERSON networking. We will also feature several meet and greet tables. Those tables include representatives from the Academic Security, Malware Analysis, Women of FIRST, Automation, Ethics, Read Team, ICS, and CTI SIGs. CERT/CC will also host a meet & greet table. And of course, be on the lookout for FIRST Membership Committee members--they are the keepers of the coveted badge flair! Appetizers and beverages will be provided.

  • Monday, June 27 from 17:15-19:15 on the Entrance Level – Sponsor Showcase Reception
    First day of sessions done! Swing by the Forum on the entrance level for some focused time with our exhibiting sponsors and your fellow attendees. Grab your Passport to Prizes card and make your way through the floor for a chance to win some stellar prizes during the Friday Closing Remarks. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.

  • Wednesday, June 29 from 18:30-22:00 on the Entrance Level – Conference Social Event
    This is the BIG one! Join us for our annual celebration. We have lots of awesome activities, entertainment, and maybe even some dancing planned for you. Buffet dinner and beverages will be provided. *Do you prefer a quieter spot to sit and network? We will have several “chill” zones designated for those who prefer a less crowded atmosphere.

PGP Key Signing @ FIRSTCON22
Build your web-of-trust and meet others in PGP key signing opportunities throughout the week. Send your PGP public key to John Kristoff jtk@dataplane.org with "Subject: FIRSTCON22 PGP public key". See https://www.first.org/pgp/ for additional details.

Virtual Participation
We are excited to be able to offer this year’s conference in a hybrid format! We appreciate the patience and the questions we have received. A couple of quick virtual Q&A items to spotlight…

  • What sessions will be streamed? TLP:WHITE sessions will be streamed live and available on-demand via the conference mobile app (also available for desktops). Workshops will NOT be streamed. We do plan to have the edited content posted to YouTube sometime towards the end of July.

  • If I am registered for an in-person ticket, do I also get access to the streams? Yes – you do! The mobile app + streams are inclusive to all registration types.

  • Can virtual attendees be part of the CTF challenge? Yes – you can! You do need to have at least one team member that will be attending the conference in-person. CTF registration will be shared in next week’s communication.

About Next Week’s Comms: Final Things to Know Before You Go!
Can you believe it…one more week to go?! Please be on the lookout for next Thursday’s email. We will be releasing the mobile app along with some additional local travel information that you might find handy; we will provide the SecLounge CTF registration URL; and we’ll run through final reminders and highlight what you should have ready for on-site check-in.

Important Note Regarding FIRST Staff Availability Next Week: Please excuse any delay in response times as FIRST staff will be traveling to Dublin throughout the week. The Events Office will be offline for a decent portion of time on Monday, June 20th. We will be back in full force by Tuesday, June 21st. Remaining executive FIRST staff (Secretariat Services and Infrastructure) will be travelling on Thursday and Friday.

And of course, please feel free to email us any other questions that pop up: events@first.org.

Sincerely,
FIRST Events Office


June 14, 2022 Updates

Dear [Attendee],

Two. More. Weeks!

As promised, we have two attendee comms scheduled for you this week. Today’s messaging features brief welcome messages from our Diamond Sponsors: Amazon Web Services, SentinelOne, and Uptycs. We appreciate your time in taking these next few minutes of acknowledgment. Our sponsors are fierce supporters of the IR community. Please be sure to visit their sponsor booths during conference week and give thanks!

Amazon Web Services

Hi FIRST Attendees! What unites all Amazonians (across teams and geographies) is that we are all striving to delight our customers and make their lives easier—whoever that customer may be (e.g., consumers, business owners, content creators, sellers, vendors, candidates, or employees). In pursuit of delighting customers, Amazonians have developed many products and services that have transformed the way our customers live their lives and run their businesses. Together we are building the future, one innovative product, service, and idea at a time. Visit our Amazon booth to chat with our teams.

SentinelOne

Cybersecurity sometimes feels like a game of cat and mouse. As solutions get better at stopping attacks, adversaries have already developed and started using new tactics and techniques. Advanced threats can lurk in your environment undetected while they stealthily look for valuable information to steal or data to compromise. If you wait until these threats become visible or an alert is generated by traditional SOC monitoring tools, it can be too late.

Don’t wait. Stop by our booth and learn about SentinelOne.

SentinelOne is pioneering the future with autonomous, distributed endpoint intelligence aimed at simplifying the security stack without forgoing enterprise capabilities. Our technology is designed to scale people with automation and frictionless threat resolution. Are you ready?

Uptycs

Greetings to the FIRST Universe!

Many of you have graced Uptycs with your participation in one of our FIRST engagements that go back all the way to a FIRST 2018 osquery-based threat hunting and IR workshop in Kuala Lumpur.

We’re excited to be participating at FIRSTCON22 as a Diamond sponsor. During the week, attendees can learn about how the Uptycs Platform and the osquery ecosystem has extended its best-in-class CSIRT capabilities beyond traditional endpoints and servers, and into the cloud.

Stop by Uptycs’ Booth to discover the different ways that modern defenders are leveraging the Uptycs platform: • Smart, real-time YARA scanning at scale • Forensic investigations with a 90-day Flight Recorder of system activity • Live queries of running processes, file systems, and more

In advance of the show, attendees can schedule time for a demo and walk away with a Meta Quest 2 VR Bundle. Sign up here: https://www.uptycs.com/first-2022-meeting

In the next comms…
Our next communication will be scheduled for this Thursday, June 16. We plan to highlight all the FIRST-hosted social events taking place throughout the week and highlight a few additional reminders to help you prepare for your trip.

If you have any questions, please send them to our team at events@first.org.

Sincerely,
FIRST Events Office


June 9, 2022 Updates

Dear [Attendee],

Another week, another set of updates! We’ll keep it brief this week. Be sure to check out the communications next week as we have two emails scheduled – Diamond sponsor greetings and your regularly scheduled weekly attendee update.

In this comms:

  • Sunday Pre-conference Training Now Open to All Attendees
  • COVID Safety Reminders
  • Registration Closes Thursday, June 16

Sunday Pre-conference Training Now Open to All Attendees
Registration for the Sunday training opportunities is now open to all attendees. Sunday training is available at no additional cost. Registration is first-come, first-served and seating is limited. If you are placed on the waitlist, we will contact you the week of the 20th with a status update.

Please review the Sunday training options at: https://www.first.org/conference/2022/program#d20220626

Training registration is available at: https://portal.first.org/registration/firstcon22-sunday-training/

COVID Safety Reminders
FIRST is committed to hosting a safe and enjoyable conference and will comply with all safety protocols consistent with the Irish Government. The FIRST Board of Directors and FIRST staff will work closely with the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) to make certain your health, safety, and comfort are first and foremost.

Please be sure you are checking our COVID Safety page at: https://www.first.org/conference/2022/covid-safety.

We have a collated list of relevant links and contact information to local health and testing facilities.

Additional notes on safety precautions:

  • We will have disposable facemasks on-hand if you should like one. Please note, that we can supply one face mask per day per attendee. We do recommend that you please come with your own supply of PPE as well.
  • The CCD is fully equipped with hand sanitizing stations and has a rigorous cleaning protocol in place.
  • Wristbands will be available for attendees who wish to have one that indicate social interaction preferences. Signage will be displayed on each floor of the CCD that explain the wristband colors and preferences.

As the COVID-19 pandemic remains fluid, safety guidelines and protocols will be expected to change based on the prevailing health situation. We appreciate your cooperation and collaboration as we navigate the return to in-person events. Let’s work together!

Registration Closes Thursday, June 16
Finally, a friendly reminder that the online conference registration form will close next Thursday, June 16 at UTC 19:00. If you have colleagues who have yet to get their registrations submitted, please have them do so as soon as possible. If you have any last minute registration transfers or cancellations, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

Thank you again for skimming through this update. We appreciate your time! Until the next one…

Kind regards,
FIRST Events Office


June 2, 2022 Updates

Dear [Attendee],

We made it to JUNE! We hope you are just as excited as we are for the countdown to the 34th Annual FIRST Conference!

Four updates to share with you in this attendee comms:

  • Sunday Pre-conference Training Now Open to FIRST Members
  • Last Call for Session Chair Volunteers
  • Attendee Activity Highlight: Football Game & Networking
  • Tentative BoF Schedule Coming Soon

Sunday, June 26 Pre-conference Training Registration Now Open for Attending Members
Registration for the Sunday training opportunities is open to FIRST members now! Sunday training is at no additional cost and for those already registered to attend the conference. FIRST members will have priority access to sign-up through June 8. Registration is first-come, first-served and seating is limited. We will open the opportunity up to all attendees after the 8th.

Please review the Sunday training options at https://www.first.org/conference/2022/program#d20220626

Register via Portal at: https://portal.first.org/registration/firstcon22-sunday-training/

Last Call for Session Chair Volunteers!
We still need a few more helping hands during conference week! This is a conference alumni opportunity only—sorry newbies! You must have attended at least one in-person FIRST conference to volunteer.

Volunteering as a session chair is a fun way to actively participate at the conference while also brushing up on your public speaking skills. Please see the list of duties below. If you are interested, we ask that you please complete the questionnaire at the following URL: https://capsllc.wufoo.com/forms/firstcon22-call-for-session-chairs/.

Please submit your response no later than Tuesday, June 7.

Session Chair duties include:

  • Ensure session/track flows smoothly and stays on time
  • Introduction of speakers
  • Ensure AV and speakers are ready; check for slides
  • Run through event housekeeping notes (notes to be provided to you)
  • Moderate session Q&A at the end of the session (if needed)
  • Complete a room count sheet
  • Keep in touch with the event organizers if any issues arise

Session chair packets and your session chair ribbon will be provided to you on-site in Dublin. An optional session chair meeting will be held on Sunday, June 26 from 10:00-10:30 at the Convention Center Dublin where you can ask questions and pick up your packets in advance of registration.

Activity Highlight: Annual Attendee Football Match and Networking on Monday, June 27
If you are new to FIRST, this attendee hosted event is a great networking opportunity...

Michael Mortensen, from Risk Based Security (RBS) has made the following arrangements for those interested in playing or cheering:

The What, Where, & When:

  • What is it?: Join us for an evening of fun as we play indoor football / soccer at THE SOCCER DOME - DUBLIN'S ONLY PREMIER INDOOR FOOTBALL VENUE
  • Where is it?: The Soccer Dome https://www.dublinindoorfootball.ie
  • When is it?: Monday, June 27 from 19:30-22:00.
  • Will there be transportation?: A bus with capacity of 53 people will pick up from the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) at 19:30 and drop-off at 22:00. Bus seating is first-come, first-served!

*If you are planning to play, please be sure to wear comfortable clothing and have soft shoes.

To Register: Please send an email to michael@riskbasedsecurity.com

Thanks to Risk Based Security (A Flashpoint Company) for sponsoring this attendee event.

Tentative BoF (Birds of a Feather) Schedule Coming Soon
A tentative BoF schedule will be published to the conference website soon. Please be sure to check under the Program menu later today/tomorrow at https://conference.first.org.

Per usual, feel free to send our team questions at events@first.org. Thank you for your time and we are looking forward to your comms update next week!

Sincerely,
FIRST Events Office


May 25, 2022 Updates

Greetings FIRSTCON22 attendees,

Here are the latest updates and opportunities to share with you this week!

In this comms…

  • Call for Session Chairs
  • Prepare for the SecLounge CTF Challenge at FIRSTCON22
  • Reminder: BoF Submissions Close Tomorrow, May 26
  • Upcoming Update: Registration for Sunday Training Sessions
  • Social Activities
  • General Q&A

Call for Session Chairs!
This is a conference alumni opportunity only—sorry newbies! You must have attended at least one in-person FIRST conference to volunteer.

Volunteering as a session chair is a fun and awesome opportunity to take advantage of. Please see the list of duties below. If you are interested, we ask that you please complete the questionnaire at the following URL: https://capsllc.wufoo.com/forms/firstcon22-call-for-session-chairs/.

Please submit your response no later than Thursday, June 2, 2022.

Session Chair duties include:

  • Ensure session/track flows smoothly and stays on time
  • Introduction of speakers
  • Ensure AV and speakers are ready; check for slides
  • Run through event housekeeping notes (notes to be provided to you)
  • Moderate session Q&A at the end of the session (if needed)
  • Complete a room count sheet
  • Keep in touch with the event organizers if any issues arise

Session chair packets and your session chair ribbon will be provided to you on-site in Dublin. An optional session chair meeting will be held on Sunday, June 26 from 10:00-10:30 at the Convention Center Dublin where you can ask questions and pick up your packets in advance of registration.

SecLounge SIG’s CTF Challenge at FIRSTCON22
Start planning! The SecLounge SIG have come up with some cool new challenges for this year’s competition. If you haven’t already, please see the CTF overview page at: https://www.first.org/conference/2022/ctf. Now is a great time to start pulling your team members together. Team registration for the challenge will be available in our attendee comms the week of June 20th.

Reminder: Last Chance to Submit a Birds of Feather (BoF) Talk
The BoF submission form will close tomorrow, May 26 at 19:00 UTC. We will notify accepted BoFs at the end of next week.

BoF Submission Form Details: https://www.first.org/conference/2022/bof-submission

Upcoming Updates: Registration for Sunday Training Sessions
We will provide details next week on how to sign-up for the Sunday Training sessions listed on the program agenda at https://www.first.org/conference/2022/program. The Sunday Trainings are first-come, first-served opportunities with FIRST members receiving priority access.

Social Activities
Anyone who’s attended a FIRST conference in the past knows that there are LOTS of non-FIRST hosted social activities taking place throughout the conference week—from photo walks to meet-ups, and even soccer! We will do our best to try and share details on those activities in our upcoming email comms.

Many activities will be scheduled ad hoc throughout conference week, and you can find those updates on the conference bulletin board that will be in the registration area of the Convention Centre Dublin.

If you are a member of FIRST and haven’t done so already, be sure to hop into the FIRST Slack and join the #FIRSTCON22 channel.

General Q&A
We’ve had some great questions come through the events office – here are the top four. Have an additional question not addressed here? Send it our way!

  • Do I need to “pre-register” for the Monday-Friday sessions and activities? No! You do not need to pre-register for any of the main conference programming. Attendees are welcome to participate in any of the conference sessions and workshops taking place Monday through Friday. Please be advised that the workshops have limited seating, that is first-come, first-served. Attendees are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Sunday Welcome Reception, Monday Sponsor Showcase Reception, and the Wednesday Social Event.

  • What is the dress code for the conference? Our default is business/nice casual. Meeting rooms and halls might be on the cooler side, be prepared and pack some light layers. Be sure to check the Dublin weather reports before you pack as well. An umbrella might be handy!

  • I’m not sure I understand the TLP on the sessions? If you are unfamiliar with the Traffic Light Protocol ("TLP"), please visit https://www.first.org/tlp/ for details. In the use case for FIRSTCON22, TLP levels specifically indicate whether press, social media, and photography/videography is allowed. You do not need to be "invited" to attend a TLP:RED session as a confirmed, registered delegate.

  • How do I sign-up to give a Lightning Talk? Lightning Talk sign-up is analog; starting Sunday evening, a flip chart sign-up sheet will be available in the registration area. It’s another first-come, first-served opportunity and we’ll do our best to get through as many talks as possible during the designated talk times on Tuesday and Thursday. You are welcome to have slides with you. These talks will not be recorded or available via live stream.

  • Should I attend the Newbie Session on Sunday, 26 June? Regardless of your membership status, if this is your FIRST time attending FIRST, you are encouraged to join this session. The session is designed to give newbies a brief overview of the week, FIRST terminology, and details on the membership process. Immediately following the session is the conference welcome reception.

That is all for this communication. Again, please feel free to contact events@first.org at any time for further assistance.

One month to go!

Sincerely,
FIRST Events Office


May 12, 2022 Updates

Dear [Attendee],

We are excited to see you in Dublin!

For those of you who are new to FIRST events, you will receive periodic communications from our team that specifically relate to the event you are registered for. Information will include general reminders, mobile app information (when applicable), tips/suggestions for planning your trip, limited time opportunities, event-related social activities, and messaging from key sponsors and supporters.

If you are one of our VIRTUAL participants, please be sure to see the section on upcoming odds and ends as we will be launching the mobile app in June.

In this mailer:

  • Birds of a Feather (BoF) Meetings: Now Accepting Submissions
  • Purchasing Guest Tickets for Wednesday Social Event
  • Upcoming Odds and Ends: Virtual Participation + Mobile App Details & Sunday Workshops
  • Check Out the Exhibitor Listing and Plan Ahead

Birds of a Feather (BoF) Meetings: Open Submissions
We are now accepting submissions for BoF meetings at https://www.first.org/conference/2022/bof-submission. BoFs are informal meetings that take place during the annual conference and are based on the interest of attending participants. Non-members are welcome to submit.

BoFs are scheduled throughout the conference week at the discretion of FIRST organizers. BoF topics must be submitted for review and approval using the submission form. A BoF agenda will be posted to the conference website in early June.

Submissions must be received by May 26.

You must be a registered delegate to submit a BoF talk. The email used during your registration must match in order to receive an access code.

Purchasing Guest Tickets for Wednesday Social Event
We are very excited to announce that the Wednesday social event is once again open to guests. The social event takes place on Wednesday, June 29, 18:30-22:00. Guest tickets are $175 US and include dinner, drinks, and entertainment. To purchase your guest ticket, please use the link below to access your registration entry.

[Link to Guest Ticket Form]

Upcoming Odds and Ends: Virtual Participation + Mobile App Details & Sunday Workshops
We have several upcoming items to share with you over the next couple of weeks:

  • Virtual Participation + Mobile App Details: We will be presenting this year’s conference in a hybrid format through use of our TouchPoint mobile app (also available for desktops). Virtual participants will have the ability to chat live with other attendees—including in-person delegates. TLP:WHITE sessions will be streamed live from Dublin and made available on-demand immediately following within the app. A dedicated email about the mobile app will be coming in early June.
  • Sunday Trainings: Sunday trainings are open to all registered delegates of the FIRST conference. The current offerings are listed on https://www.first.org/conference/2022/program. We are still pending a few additional details from our trainers. We will send another dedicated email to our attendees with a first-come, first-served sign-up form later this month. All Sunday trainings will start at 09:30 on Sunday, June 26.

Check Out the Exhibitor Listing and Plan Ahead
The support we have received this year from our event sponsors has been overwhelming. We are grateful for our sponsors and we hope you are able to spend time with them during the conference week. Please be sure to review the Exhibitor Listing on our Sponsorship Team page at https://www.first.org/conference/2022/sponsorship-team.

Very special thanks to our Diamond Sponsors: AWS, SentinelOne, and Uptycs.

That is all for this update! We wanted to thank everyone for their patience this year as we make our return to in-person events. If you have any other questions about the conference and your participation, please do not hesitate to contact our team (events@first.org) for assistance.

Sincerely,

FIRST Events Office