When will DesignUp be back as an in-person event? A question we've been getting frequently last couple of months...

So here's an open note to the community, to you, on the challenges, the complications, hopes and more.

So when is it back?

The questions we're getting is about "When?" Not "If" or "Is it...?"

Heartwarming to note that you lovely folks have taken it for granted that DesignUp will surely be back. It's simply a question of when. That's super reassuring 🙏 Confidence-boosting! So here goes...

One. It's got complicated.

The last in-person conference we did in 2019 was big. Like 1300-paid-attendees big. And hundreds of visitors to our exhibits. 📽 Here are <2 min video recaps of 2018 and of 2019 event

No one wore masks or carried sanitisers. Or vaccination certs. Nope. This year we're being a little more cautious. We're thinking way smaller than our 2020 ambitions (we had booked a venue for 2200 people in Jan 2020). So less seats, less passes.

Wave theorists have us in knots trying to predict when's a good time for this event. Majority of venues aren't even looking out to book far ahead in advance anymore.

Which means we're also compressing the time it takes to plan. We're way behind schedule on getting sponsors on board. And there's budget freezes. Though we've pulled off DesignUpForACause in just 5.5 weeks, including the 1.5 weeks it took to figure out the hyper-complicated payment modalities and pathways to charities.

So that's few pieces of inter-connected puzzles. There's more.

Two. Expenses went through the roof.

Looking at our 2019 vs 2022 costs - the reality of inflation hits. Hits hard.

Can't complain about the price rise in the hospitality industry - they've taken a debilitating hit across 2020-21, and glad to see them getting on their feet. So factor in price rise for conference passes. Part of the delay is us reworking the maths to make it as affordable for as many people - esp students, those who have lost jobs, NGOs.

Thoughts on stuff thus far? We'd love to hear your PoV via a 5 min survey, after all we exist because of the community. And there's a little reward too.

Three. Despite it all, it's time to reload...

'Cause for you, and for us, DesignUp is that heady mix of reset, recharge and inspiration that we need in our busy, crazy, fragmented lives. So we're reloading the "definitive Design-In-Tech Conference”. It's not going to be easy in 2022 - but it's worth the effort. So reloading everything you love about DesignUp:

✅ Reloading handshakes and hugs...

✅ Reloading the check ins...

✅ Reloading the badges...

✅ Reloading the conf kit...

✅ Reloading the reunions...

✅ Reloading conversations over coffee...

✅ Reloading the drums...

✅ Reloading the talks...

✅ Reloading the inspiration...

✅ Reloading the energy...

✅ Reloading the networking...

✅ Reloading the early birds...

✅ Reloading the lunches...

✅ Reloading the speaker lineups...

✅ Reloading the stage...

✅ Reloading the banter...

✅ Reloading the selfies...

✅ Reloading the desserts...

✅ Reloading the group shots...

✅ Reloading the community buzz...

But there’s more. We’re also uploading something special. Participative. We’re also inviting you, all attendees, to co-create part of the event. So, watch this space.

Four. Block those dates

And plan that trip. Tell your friends. Tell your manager. Or Head of Dept. Pencil in the reunions. Get that booster shot. Check out the flights ✈️ We're looking at either the weekend of 10th Sept or 17th Sept. In Bangalore. That's about 60 days to go...

Help us Reload DUp for 2022 & catch limited super-early-birds

We'd love to get your thoughts, your PoV and your help in reloading DUp for 2022 - after all we exist because of the community. So take this short 5 min survey and we promise to let you know as soon as the super early birds go on sale ⏰ Many hours ahead of opening it out to all. Pukka!

Keep calm and start planning,

Jay Dutta and Narayan Gopalan

Founders, DesignUp