Image credit: yxyy.us
I said YES to YxYY002
Unconference Report by
Molly Garris

YxYY =
Yes and Yes Yes
an event for geeks, nerds,
weirdos, creatives, futurists,
thinkers and yay-sayers
Ace Hotel, Palm Springs CA
July 2014

It was kind of
like a
conference
because
there was
cool swag.
Other than
that, it wasn’t
like a
conference.
Image credit: zoostation500 on Instagram

Palm Springs in July meant
lots of pool mingling
Image credit: Robin Andersen via Flickr: Tecgirl

Lots of hydration
Image credit: theMarcSmith via Instagram

Events were not overscheduled – most
were created day-of via mobile app
Image credit: Kim Chestney Harvey

Some events were futuristic: drone,
VR and 3D printing demos
Image credit: yxyy.us, SpecularTheory via Instagram

Some were chats amongst brand
builders and marketers

More technical
ones were
around .js and
GitHub
(photo shown may or
may not be accurate to
referenced events)
Image credit: tinahui via Twitter

Light, fun events included games like
Werewolf and karaoke
Image credits: yxyy via Twitter, Ryan Plesko via Facebook

Image credit: Gracedobrushtogo via Instagram
Also, Ignite talks,
moth storytelling and
Dive-In movies

More
personal
events
helped
people get
advice
about how
to hack
kids or
their own
lives
Image credit: tinahui via Instagram

I met people that:
- Work at start ups,
- Work on mobile apps,
- Produce films,
- Love 3D printing,
- Write a travel blog,
- Scan brains for insights,
- Conserve water and
- Fight for human rights.

I didn’t meet people that:
- Complained,
- Judged,
- Seemed stressed,
- Were glued to their Smartphone,
- Wanted to sell me something and
- Didn’t want to share their
knowledge.

They shared new inventions,
(3D printer pen)
Image credit: dchymko via Instagram

Their enthusiasm,
Image credit: leahthehunter via Instagram

Old lessons,
When you have five minutes,
ask me for this insane story.

And even their wedding vows.
Image credit: Marla via Twitter DvinMsM

I wish I would have met more people,
heard more stories, attended more talks,
drank more frozen slushies, watched
more movies after dark, crashed more
dinners, etc. but
I was a #newbie and needed to observe
and absorb. But I did say yes…

You should say yes some time
too.
Image credit: PeterShanley via Instagram

Thank you yay-sayers and Team
Yes and Yes Yes.
You sure put a smile and jolt of
inspiration across this Midwesterner.
Until we meet again..
Molly Garris @mollygarris