Open Space gatherings begin with a sesssion in which everybody is seated in a circle. After the host's brief welcome, the facilitator explains the process by which the group will self-organise to decide on the day's detailed agenda, to carry out the agenda and to prepare the material for the proceedings (which are typically published the following day!)

There is no 'front' to the room, no top table, no projector, no screen, no presenters. Although subject experts may be present, they are part of the crowd.

This photo was taken on April 21 2004 at a gathering hosted by Orange at NEC, Birmingham, called How can we work together to make ISO 9000 more effective for the organisations that use it? Note the Agenda Wall in the background; at this early stage it is just a blank.