We have some important news to share with the Zeek community regarding this year’s ZeekWeek conference. After careful consideration and discussions with Corelight, the ZeekWeek sponsor, we have decided that ZeekWeek is going on a hiatus for 2023. However, we are excited to announce that instead of one large conference, we are piloting a new idea - smaller regional, free, community learning events in the United States and Europe. We believe this change will provide a unique opportunity for Zeek users worldwide to connect and learn in a more intimate setting.
Reasoning Behind the Decision:
We want to provide transparency regarding the factors that influenced our decision. As a community-driven project, we carefully consider roadmap priorities, available resources, and community feedback when making decisions of this nature. In evaluating the viability of ZeekWeek 2023, we took into account several factors, including:
- Attendance at past events: While ZeekWeek has been a valuable gathering in the past, we noticed a decline in attendance over the years. We wanted to ensure that our efforts aligned with the interests and needs of the community.
- Rising costs: The costs associated with hosting a large conference like ZeekWeek have steadily increased, including venue expenses, logistics, and travel arrangements. These rising costs put a strain on the project’s resources and budget.
- Travel restrictions and budget limitations: We recognize that many organizations and individuals face travel restrictions and tighter budgets, making it challenging to attend large conferences. We wanted to create a more accessible and inclusive learning experience for all Zeek users.
Regional Learning Events:
Taking all these factors into account, we decided to explore alternative options that would better align with the community’s needs. The result is to try new smaller regional events in the United States and Europe done in partnership with Corelight. These events will be free to attend, removing barriers for participants and enabling a more intimate and engaging experience for all attendees.
Webinars for Talk Presenters:
For those who were hoping to present a topic at ZeekWeek 2023, we understand the disappointment. However, we want to extend an invitation to explore the possibility of hosting webinars for your talks. This alternative format allows for the sharing of knowledge and engaging with the Zeek community in a virtual setting. If you have a specific topic in mind, please contact us at info@zeek.org, and we can discuss the details together.
Get Involved - Organize a ZeekDay Learning Event:
In addition to our regional learning events, we want to encourage community involvement in organizing ZeekDay learning events. We understand the value of local meetups and workshops, and they play a crucial role in fostering the growth of the Zeek project. If you are passionate about Zeek and would like to contribute by organizing an event in your area, we would love to hear from you. Contact us at info@zeek.org, and let us know your ideas and interests. Together, we can create more opportunities for Zeek users to connect, learn, and grow.