The Zap Your PRAM Conference is a gathering of creative professionals, academics, and intriguing people from around the world interested in design, the web and emerging technologies. We come together to relax and discuss design, media, art and technology.
To ensure diversity in point of view, interests, approach, and personality, the conference is by invitation only and limited to 50 attendees. If it feels like you should be invited, please ask.
Zap is not just a conference about technology, the internet, or gadgetry. It is not a yearly event nor is it a conference with a clear distinction between “presenters” and “attendees”. There are no paid speakers, no keynote addresses, no plenary sessions, no trade show, and no exhibitors.
Zap is not in a hotel with televisions or phones. You may not even have cell phone reception.
Zap is an opportunity to step outside the day–to–day cacophony, to take a broader view. Zap is intentionally remote and rural and is a conference where everyone is encouraged to contribute something—a session, a story, a discussion, a point of view.
Zap is for people who don't like going to conferences.
Zap is organized by Steven Garrity, Dan James, Peter Rukavina and a few of our friends. Zap is not a business, or a profit-making exercise. Conference fees cover costs, and everyone pays their own way.
Zap Updates
- The Legend of Curly's Gold (Steven – Apr 14th)
- Zap Your PRAM (Remix) (Peter – Apr 14th)
- Zap Your PRAM 2008 (Dan – Apr 14th)
- Location:
- The Dalvay-by-the-Sea Hotel is a National Historic site of Canada located on the north shore of Prince Edward Island.
The site was originally built as a private cottage in 1895. We'll have the entire place to ourselves. This is about as far from an Airport Hotel conference setting as you can get. Map of the Resort. - Meals:
- The dining provided is that of the renowned four-diamond Dalvay-by-the-Sea restaurant. So, yes, the food will be good. Sample Menu
- Internet:
- There will be WiFi available in the common areas and anywhere else the signal can reach.
- Weather:
- The weather in late October on our fair Island can vary significantly. You can have a beautiful day with short sleeves, or you can get light flurries. Plan for cool weather; long-sleeves, pants and a warm jacket (you probably don't need a parka). For more details on the weather, see What the Weather is Like? at our Provincial Government website.
- Travel:
- The Charlottetown Airport – YYG (a 20 minute drive from Dalvay) is a two hour flight from Toronto and about a half-hour flight (or 4 hour drive over the Confederation Bridge) from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- Shopping:
- As Dalvay is a small community, shops, grocery stores, and other amenities are most easily found 20 minutes away in Charlottetown.
- Cost:
- An early registration fee of $550 includes the conference, on-site accommodations from Thursday—Sunday and all of your meals.
We can offer a reduced fee of $355 for "non-attending partners" who are sharing a bed with someone who's paying the full conference rate. Please ask for details. - Contact:
- zap@zapyourpram.org
If you read this and think “these guys are crazy”, then you probably don't want to come to Zap. However; if you read this and think “these guys are crazy, but it sounds like this might be a lot of fun”, then you should contact us now, because we'd really like to have you here.