About HOPE X Follow @hopex
HOPE X will take place on July 18, 19, and 20, 2014 at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City. H.O.P.E. stands for Hackers On Planet Earth, one of the most creative and diverse hacker events in the world. It's been happening since 1994.
Join us for three full days and nights of activities, including more of the provocative and enlightening speakers that the HOPE conferences are known for. In addition, we have access to a massive amount of space to put together all sorts of hacker projects and assorted fun stuff. In the past we've had huge hackerspace villages, film festivals, Segway rides, lock picking villages, a wide variety of vendors, art installations, live video, vintage computers, robots, an amateur/ham radio station, electronics workshops, book signings, and the country's biggest supply of Club-Mate.
Now imagine all of that happening right in the middle of New York City, across the street from Penn Station and down the block from the Empire State Building. It seems impossible, but with the hard work and dedication of our huge volunteer staff, we're able to pull it off.
Contact
Stay up to date with email notifications about HOPE X:
Problems? Email hope-x-announce-approval@2600.com
Pre-register for HOPE X
Pre-registration is now open!
Tickets are on sale at the 2600 store or can be purchased with Bitcoins!
Call for Speakers
Attention all hackers, makers, whistleblowers, artists, phone phreaks, rebels, technologists, and free thinkers everywhere! Come and share your ideas, thoughts, and passions with thousands of really bright, creative, and open-minded people in New York City this summer at HOPE X.
We have room for around 100 talks and panels covering a wide range of topics, limited only by our collective imagination. Past talks and panels have included: anonymity, surveillance and countersurveillance, social engineering, hardware hacking, cryptography, privacy, security, censorship, programming, democracy and law, digital protests, society hacking, copyright, phone phreaking and telecommunications, new technologies, all manner of experimentation, and so much more. We are constantly searching for innovative subjects and presentation formats. Come and show us what you've got!
All types of presentations are encouraged, from solo talks to panels, debates, demonstrations, and interactive discussions. (Workshop ideas and art exhibitions are also welcome - see the applicable sections on this site.) Most presentations will be allotted 55 minutes - including time for questions from the audience.
If you would like to be a speaker, submit a title and a description of the proposed presentation (two to three paragraphs) along with a short biography (three or four sentences will suffice). Submissions should be sent by email to speakers@hope.net. Be sure to tell us why you think the topic and content are relevant to the hacker community and to HOPE X attendees.
We also recommend reading our additional tips on speaker submissions.
Call for Workshops
Over the two decades of these conferences, workshops have become a big part of what makes HOPE a unique, interactive, and fun experience.
Whether you're presenting a talk and want to give a follow-up workshop for your audience to learn more in a hands-on environment, or you simply have an idea that seems better suited to a workshop such as building and hacking hardware/software or learning some other skills, then we welcome your proposals!
In 2012, HOPE Number Nine hosted dozens of workshops that were enjoyed by many in a more intimate environment of a small and interactive group. HOPE workshops can be held in our conference rooms, as well as at tables in the Hardware Hacking area. When workshops are connected with a talk, we try to schedule the workshop after the talk on the same day so the subject matter is fresh in people's minds.
If you'd like to present a HOPE workshop, please submit a catchy title and a concise description (two to three paragraphs). Submissions should be sent by email to workshops@hope.net. Be sure to let us know why you think the topic and content is relevant to the hacker community and to HOPE X attendees.
We also recommend reading through the questions for workshop submissions to increase the chances of your HOPE Workshop submission being accepted.
Call for Art
What is hacking? Is it breaking through to information we're not supposed to see? Building something surprisingly elegant? Subverting our sense of how the world we live in works? And if so, what does hacking share with art?
HOPE X welcomes art, as well as talks and workshops, to be presented July 18-20 in our exhibition space. Remixers, circuitbenders, textile artists, demoscene denizens, photographers, data visualizers, 3d printing tinkerers, fashion designers - if your work's themes touch on privacy, security, copyright/remixing, other digital rights, or anything related to or using technology, we'd love to see a proposal from you.
Along with a description of your installation, please include in your proposal an estimate of your work's dimensions and technical needs, as well as any special environmental or curatorial concerns. Please also include a link to your portfolio and any preliminary sketches or conceptual background for your proposed work.
Please submit your materials to artspace@hope.net, along with any other questions or concerns you may have.
Tips for Talks and Panels
Tips for Submitting a Talk/Panel Proposal
We often publish the talk/panel descriptions submitted by speakers in the final HOPE program that is handed out to all conference attendees, as well as having them displayed on the HOPE website. So be sure to come up with a catchy, descriptive, and accurate title. (Please avoid overly long titles as they are hell to format and not much fun to read.) Make sure your description is helpful to attendees in deciding whether to come and see your talk. We can help with this process, but it's always an advantage if your proposal doesn't need much modification.
We appreciate detail. But please don't go overboard. We don't need PowerPoint presentations attached to your submission, nor do we need videos, spreadsheets, and diagrams. Of course, those who submit only a sentence or two and expect us to figure out the rest will find that we can't, won't, and don't. A few paragraphs ought to be fine, but if you feel that's not enough, include what you believe is necessary to convey your ideas. Just remember that space in the printed program is limited (as is the attention span of the reader), and we'll have to make the description as concise as possible.
Questions to Consider for a Submission
What makes my topic interesting or important? This will also help you to organize your thoughts when presenting in front of an audience. We know that you already find the subject matter interesting, but many in the audience will need to be convinced. Expect questions, dissent, and doubt and be prepared to answer those challenges.
Does my presentation have an impact that a broad audience might understand? If the answer to this is "no," your talk can still have a place at HOPE. We have many specialized talks that only a limited number of people can appreciate. Give us a sense in your proposal of what level of audience your talk will be pitched to - or who you think might be interested in the talk. Knowing this from the start helps in our scheduling efforts.
What is new and different about my talk? We require that presentations not simply be rehashes of previous talks, either at past HOPEs or at other conferences. There is simply too much going on for us to be repeating anything. As someone who wants to make a presentation at HOPE, you'll find a much better reception if you share information that isn't old and familiar news. This applies not only to material you're referencing, but also to previous talks you yourself may have given.
Can I submit more than one talk for consideration? This is permitted, however you should be sure to submit the talk you feel the strongest about and indicate that to us so we can take it into consideration should we need to limit you to a single spot. Also, remember that you need to be just as detailed on each of your submissions as you would be if you were only making one submission. We don't take kindly to emails with six or seven one-sentence suggestions for talk ideas.
Can special time considerations be made? We do the best we can to accommodate everyone, but we are not gods and cannot bend time. Please try to be available from Friday morning to Sunday evening. If this is not possible, let us know from the beginning so we can keep that in mind. People who tell us of their scheduling restrictions after we release the schedule make our lives even more difficult than they already are. However, we will always try and make adjustments when possible.
Should I have a panel discussion instead of a solo talk? We encourage panels in many instances. Lectures have their time and place, but a group presentation, discussion, or debate is particularly great for opening some eyes and engaging the audience. These are tougher to organize, obviously, since more people have to work together, but we find it's almost always worth the effort. We don't encourage large panels as they dramatically cut down on each member's time to speak. And if similar individual talk proposals are submitted by different people, we sometimes suggest that the presenters team up and organize a panel discussion instead.
Are any topics too controversial for HOPE? If you're familiar with our past content, you would never ask such a question. Controversy is our friend. But that doesn't mean anything goes. We have high standards, and we have no problem diving headlong into a controversial topic and getting the audience involved. If you feel your content might be too hot even for us to handle, please ask and we'll address it directly.
Tips for Workshops
Questions to Consider for a Workshop Submission
What is the title of the workshop? What topics/skills will be shared/taught? Please be as descriptive as possible to help us with placement and scheduling.
Is this workshop submission connected with a talk? If yes, please specify which talk submission it's affiliated with.
Please specify any scheduling restraints you have. For example, if you can only be at HOPE X for one or two days, specify which days so we can schedule appropriately. Whenever possible, a workshop will be scheduled the same day but after its related talk. So please keep that in mind for your own scheduling purposes.
Why do you think this workshop would interest HOPE X attendees? Remember that HOPE X is a unique and highly interactive conference, and that many diverse interests and skill/knowledge levels will be represented by its thousands of participants. What will attendees learn from your workshop? Please be prepared for some participants to spontaneously teach their fellow workshop attendees some things as well.
Who is the workshop intended for? As with talks, people with different knowledge and skill levels attend the workshops, so please have a good sense of your intended audience. For example: Is this workshop for total beginners? Are there any prerequisite skills or knowledge required? If you're submitting a related talk, will attending that talk be a prerequisite?
How long will the workshop take, from setup to vacating the space? This is extremely important for us to know so we can schedule and place your workshop appropriately. Durations of workshops can vary widely, and to be as accommodating as possible we need this info ASAP to give your workshop submission the best possible chance of approval.
How many people can attend the workshop? We ask that you be realistic so that we can give you the space, tables, and chairs you require. If your workshop attendees will be needing lots of individual attention, please ensure you'll be able to devote enough time and attention to everyone. It's okay to limit attendees to a dozen or so if that's all you can handle, but the more you can accommodate, the better.
How much space will the workshop require? Remember that while HOPE X will have lots of space, it must be allocated efficiently to accommodate all activities. So please indicate the bare minimum space your workshop will require - in square feet or meters if possible.
Which setting works best for your workshop? Will it do better in a quieter classroom/conference room setting, or in the open Hardware Hacking area where there's lots of ambient activity buzzing about with its attendance noise? Being surrounded by that kind of energy can complement some workshops and attract observers, which is great! But some workshops may require a more isolated environment, which we can also provide.
What equipment and power will the workshop require? Let us know if you will need a video projector, projection screen, power strips for attendees, etc. We may not be able to provide this equipment, so if at all possible please be prepared to bring your own, or borrow or rent it. If you absolutely can't do that, please advise. Of course, tables, chairs, electricity, Internet access, etc. can be provided if requested.
Is there anything that the attendees will need to bring? As a workshop coordinator, you can ask that participants possess not only a specific interest, but specific items if this is what your workshop is focusing upon. For instance, a workshop on how to convert a pair of spectacles into Google Glass would require everyone to bring their own spectacles. Again, such requirements need to be made clear as early as possible.
Will participants be expected to pay any cost for materials? We generally prefer the answer to be "no," but if your workshop submission is awesome enough and the expense is necessary, we will consider this. If participants will be building a hardware kit from parts you supply, you'll need to figure out in advance how much it will cost each participant if you expect them to pay for those parts. HOPE X is not an opportunity to profiteer from workshops, but we don't want you to lose your shirt if you can't afford it. We operate HOPE on a shoestring and try to break even, so please be reasonable and do the same. Participants will also be reasonable and many may be willing to help out with donations if you simply ask.
Projects
Many special projects are being planned for HOPE X!
If you have a project or workshop you would like to propose for HOPE X, please send a message to projects@hope.net with details about what exactly you want to do and what you need to do it well. We will do our best to help make it happen! Please include:
- What is it?
- How much space do you require?
- Do you need tables, chairs?
- Do you need AC power?
- Are there any other requirements or resources needed?
News
January 21, 2014
The CFP for HOPE X is now open! Information and instructions for submitting a talk, panel, workshop, or artwork can be found in the "Call for Participants" menu!
January 15, 2014
Group rates are now available for HOPE X at the Hotel Pennsylvania! See the hotel information for details.
January 13, 2014
HOPE X is now accepting Bitcoins for Pre-registration! Read more here.
January 6, 2014
Pre-registration is now open!
Tickets are on sale at the 2600 store.
Schedule
Schedule coming soon!
Villages
Are you coming to HOPE X as part of a group of hackers? A hackerspace or makerspace that wants to have a unique presence, a FLOSS project promoting your software, the crew you hang out with every HOPE? Maybe something even stranger?
Would you like a place on the conference floor where you can hang out and potentially meet up with more likeminded hackers?
Villages are places to meet, hang out, chill, set up your gear, and show off what you've got and what you can do. It's your home base at HOPE X; it's a place where you can bring your tech, your toys, your gear, work on and share cool projects, let others join in, and most of all have fun!
Contact info coming soon!
Travel
HOPE X will be held from July 18–20, 2014 at the Hotel Pennsylvania located at 401 Seventh Avenue in midtown Manhattan, New York City. This hotel is directly opposite New York's Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. Pick up your registration badge in the Penn Plaza Pavillion, which is directly to the left after walking into Hotel Pennsylvania from 7th Ave. HOPE X events will be on the 1st and 2nd floor (registration, hackerspaces, vendors, art, music, and more!), 6th floor (some workshops and classes) and 18th floor (speakers, movies and the 2600 Store).
Here are some general tips for getting to HOPE:
Getting to New York City is possible from nearly everywhere on Earth. There are four airports you can arrive at as well as train and bus terminals. You can even drive if you're so inclined. This is all assuming that you're not already in the city, in which case getting to the hotel is as easy as it could possibly be.
By Air:
There are three main airports serving the metropolitan area, two in the New York City borough of Queens, and one in New Jersey. There is also a small airport located on Long Island, an hour away by train. In general, you should probably fly to whichever airport you can get the cheapest flight.
John F. Kennedy airport (JFK) is a huge international airport in Queens, where you will likely end up if flying from overseas. Discount carrier JetBlue and some other domestic airlines also fly here. Once at JFK, the “AirTrain” service will bring you from the airport to Jamaica station, where you can either take the E subway train or the Long Island Railroad; in all cases you should buy a ticket from a person or a machine, as the cost almost doubles if you want to buy it on the train). Both take you to Penn Station, just across the street from the hotel. If you prefer it, a cab can take you from JFK airport to anywhere in Manhattan.
LaGuardia airport (LGA), also in Queens, serves some domestic and Canadian destinations. It is geographically the closest airport to Manhattan, and therefore sometimes the most expensive to fly to. From LGA, private shuttle buses can take you to the hotel. You can also take the M60 bus to the N or Q train, which will bring you to Herald Square, which is one block east of the hotel. Ask the bus driver if you need help. You must buy a MetroCard before boarding the bus to avoid paying two fares. Metrocards can be found at Hudson News kiosks in the airport. You can also get a cab if you prefer.
Newark airport (EWR), in New Jersey, serves a number of domestic and international destinations. There is frequent AirTrain/New Jersey Transit service between Newark terminal and Penn Station, taking under an hour to deliver you from your flight to the Hotel Pennsylvania. This may be the most convenient airport to fly into as far as transportation is concerned, and service is frequent. (Make sure you get on a New Jersey Transit train and NOT an Amtrak train after switching from AirTrain, as it may cost significantly more, without saving any time.) Don't bother with cabs as they not only take longer, but you will have to pay the tunnel/bridge toll on top of the cab fare.
Islip's Macarthur Airport (ISP) is located on Long Island. The main advantage of flying to Islip is sometimes (though not always) lower airfares; Southwest Airlines flies there, and that tends to hold fares down. You can take a cab from Macarthur Airport to the Ronkonkoma train station (or the S-57 bus, which doesn't run on Sundays) and take the Long Island Railroad train to Penn Station, which takes just over an hour. You may be able to save a few dollars by buying a MacArthur Airport package ticket, which includes the shuttle from the aiport to the train station. Trains generally run once an hour.
By Train:
New Jersey Transit, Metro-North Railroad, and the Long Island Railroad offer short-range transportation options to New York City from around the metropolitan area. Amtrak offers short and long-range train transportation, although the cost of train travel is often comparable to air travel. If you do take Amtrak, you can save money by booking in advance; from Boston or Washington, DC, Amtrak's “Acela” service is slightly faster but considerably more expensive than its other trains.
Except for Metro-North, all of these rail lines arrive at Penn Station, which is right across the street from the Hotel Pennsylvania and HOPE X — very convenient. (Metro-North arrives at Grand Central which means you must take the S shuttle to Times Square and transfer to a downtown 1/2/3 subway one stop to Penn Station. Or you could easily walk.) The 33rd Street PATH station is also close, literally on the opposite side of the block as the main Hotel Penn entrance. PATH trains provide a quick hop from several points in New Jersey, most notably the Hoboken station, a major train hub.
By Bus:
Greyhound and a number of other intercity bus companies serve the Port Authority Bus Terminal, located on 8th Avenue at 42nd Street. Probably the best way to get from PABT to the conference is on foot (walk one block east to 7th avenue, and then 9 blocks south to the hotel, a distance of about 1/2 mile), but you can also take the A/C/E or 1/2/3 subway one stop downtown, or get a cab.
Recent years have seen a large number of new bus companies offering extremely competitively-priced travel within the Northeastern US. Boltbus and Megabus are particularly good options, as both companies drop you off within a few blocks of the Hotel Pennsylvania. Both of these companies raise their prices as more people buy tickets, so you can save money by buying tickets in advance. Another set of companies offer service between the Chinatowns of New York and other cities throughout the region. Comprehensive information about the various carriers' routes can be hard to come by, but GotoBus, Static Leap, and BusJunction are attempts to aggregate information. You can also, of course, try searching the web yourself.
By Car:
We recommend not driving in Manhattan unless you really know what you're doing. If a car is your only source of travel, it might be a good idea to park in an outer borough and take the subway into Manhattan or use one of the Park-and-Ride lots in New Jersey and take New Jersey Transit or PATH to get into town. If you insist on driving into Manhattan, you may be able to find free parking in some residential areas. Parking garages tend to be cheaper downtown.
For those of you bringing in equipment, getting to the hotel is pretty straightforward. Please make arrangemens in advance (hackerspaces@hope.net or another appropriate contact), since we also have a loading dock and elevators on 32nd and 33rd St. and a specific schedule for loading in your gear.
From New Jersey, the Lincoln Tunnel will get you onto the west side in the 30s. Simply make your way to 34th Street and turn right on 7th Avenue. The hotel is on the left side between 33rd and 32nd. The guy greeting you in front of the hotel will be able to tell you how to unload and will even park your car for the weekend if you're sure you want to pay what they charge. Those arriving from other directions simply need to get to 34th Street via the FDR Drive or the Midtown Tunnel.
Subways and City Buses:
Take the 1, 2, or 3 train to 34th & 7th Avenue, right across the street from the Hotel Pennsylvania. Or take the A, C, or E to 34th & 8th, or the B, D, F, M, N, Q, or R to 34th & 6th (Herald Square), both of which are just one crosstown block away. The MTA's website has maps and other good information. You can also get free printed subway maps by asking in any station.
The base fare of a subway ride is $2.50, but you have to pay $2.75 if you're only buying one ride at a time. You can get various discounts based on what sort of pass you put onto a Metrocard.
The M4, M5, M7, M20, M34, and Q32 buses all stop within a block or two of the hotel, but we don't recommend taking them unless you're already familiar with the city's bus system.
Inter/Intragalactic Travel:
Note that Sol is a G-type main sequence star, so visitors should dress appropriately and bring sun screen if desired. Earth is the 3rd planet from the Sun, which is in the Orion arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. Head out approximately 28,000 light years from the center of the galaxy, and 20 light years above the equatorial plane. Dial "411" from any pay phone if you need additional guidance (toll charges may apply).
Volunteer
A lot goes on behind the scenes. Enrich your HOPE experience by helping to run the show and meeting some cool people while you're at it! We're looking for volunteers in the following areas:
- Setup: On Thursday, July 17th, we're stringing cables, setting up lighting, audio, and video equipment, building art installations, and getting the conference ready for several thousand attendees. Being on the setup crew is a great way to meet organizers and other volunteers - both old regulars and brand new faces - and to get acquainted with the conference before it starts!
- Audio/Video: Our A/V gurus are seeking volunteers to operate sound boards, lighting consoles, projectors, and video cameras during the talks. Volunteers are needed to help set up the gear and to help maintain it over the course of the weekend.
- Network: The NOC is looking for volunteers to help plan prior to the event and to be there during operations to build up and maintain our special event network. if you are self directed and can contribute time and energy to building an all volunteer enterprise network please get in touch with us right away! We are still in need of core gear, wireless APs (with contollers and licenses) as well as contacts with major media operators to secure transit. There is a lot yet to plan so join us today!
- Information Desk: Lost? Volunteers are needed to help provide orientation and information to fellow attendees, as well as disseminate vital schedule and event updates.
- Special Ops: Things change, problems arise, and we need volunteers to be available to help solve these unforeseen problems and assist in other volunteer areas. Examples include errands-running, message passing, and filling in for other volunteers who need a brief break.
If you have a particular skill or interest and would like to get involved, or just want to know more, send an email to volunteers@hope.net. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
See you at HOPE X!
Vendors
At every HOPE conference, we have a wide variety of vendors that are of interest to hackers. Do you have something to sell, exhibit, or otherwise share with attendees at HOPE X? We're making available a limited number of tables for folks who want to be able to display or sell their wares. These tables will be located in a highly-trafficked area of the Penn Plaza Pavilion on the second floor of the hotel.
Vendor table registration details coming soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where and when will HOPE X happen?
A: At the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City, July 18-20, 2014. Explore x.hope.net for more information, and to register.
Q: Is it necessary to buy a ticket in advance?
A: It is not necessary, but it's a good idea since it's always cheaper and usually much quicker than waiting to pay at the door. We have a huge space but if we ever managed to totally fill it, those with advance tickets would have priority as with any event.
Q: Is it safe to buy a ticket online?
A: The 2600 online store, hosted by Yahoo, is at least as safe as any other online vendor. We've been operating the store since 1999 and have kept customer data secure throughout that period. We also have one of the highest ratings on the Yahoo store. Contrary to the myths perpetuated by the mass media, hackers are the ones who know about the security flaws and will take steps to protect customers.
Q: Can I buy a ticket with Bitcoins?
A: Yes! HOPE X is the first conference in America to accept Bitcoins for admission!
Q: Will there be internet access at HOPE X?
A: There will be a wireless network. There will also be switches available for a wired connection.
Q: My editor is sending me to cover HOPE X. How do I get press credentials?
A: Send your name, e-mail address, affiliation, and a contact phone number to press@2600.Com - You will be contacted by our press person. You MUST pre-register for press credentials, and they are NOT guaranteed. If you're not on the Press List at the door, you must purchase a conference registration like anyone else.
Q: What is the age limit?
A: HOPE has no age limit, but there are also not areas or programs specifically designed for children. You must be 18 to book a room at the Hotel Penn.
Q: What is a hacker?
A: A hacker is someone who is curious and creative, and seeks to understand how things work, especially complicated systems. Many hackers use technology to perform their investigations, and enjoy sharing information about their findings with other people. Often, hackers are willing to exceed boundaries of expected behaviors, to better understand systems they are interested in.
Q: Will the conference be full of criminals?
A: No, the conference will be full of creative and caring people, sharing what they know. You are encouraged to attend, and to contribute your energies and ideas to help make it even better.
Q: Will there be people at the conference who can teach me to hack?
A: Yes! Or, more accurately, they will help teach you to think with a hacker mindset. The conference will be a supportive learning environment where you can get hands-on experience with different hardware and software tools and their associated skill sets. There will be keynotes, tutorials, competitions, and hands-on classes. You, too, can help to teach! Bring your own experiments and experiences, and consider providing your own knowledge to participants in discussions, tutorials, and other sessions.
Hotel Pennsylvania
To get the conference rate for Hotel Pennsylvania, use this link, or call hotel reservations at 212-736-5000 and use code HOPEX.
Our group rate is also lower than it was in 2012!
- Superior 1 double bed: $129 per night
- Superior 1 king bed: $129 per night
- Superior 2 twin beds: $139 per night
- Superior 2 double beds: $169 per night
The Hotel Pennsylvania is located at 401 7th Avenue (15 Penn Plaza) in New York City, right across the street from Penn Station and a couple of blocks away from the Empire State Building. The hotel has stood since 1919 with a record 2200 rooms and has booked over 27 million guests since then, more than any hotel on the planet. It's the home of the most famous telephone number in the world: Pennsylvania 6-5000. Recently, the hotel has been targeted for demolition by its owners (Vornado Realty Trust) despite efforts to preserve the massive historic structure. However, the hotel may yet be saved, due to an apparent change of heart on Vornado's part that could see it renovated instead.
The Hackers On Planet Earth conferences are one of the biggest events to take place at the hotel. (Every conference except 1997's Beyond HOPE has taken place there.) Every two years, our crew transforms the place into a high tech center and hackers from all over the world roam the many hallways and floors. For those from out of town, it's a great way to experience New York for the first time.