Agile Coach Camp Canada is very popular this year. The organizers decided to use a lottery style ticketing system. If you have not put your name on it, do it! It reminded me of Google I/O when the tickets were sold out in less than an hour. ACCCA is the Google I/O of Agile, even Agile 20xx is not sold out in that record time!
If you are like me, i.e. not lucky at all, you probably will be left out this year. It’s not the end of the world. Be positive, there are four draws, you will get four chances (as I do). You might get lucky and score a ticket. If not, it’s always next year too. If you got lucked out of ACCCA this year, what are your alternative options? These are some of what I know in North America, and recommend!
Agile Games Canada – Toronto
A one day of open space. You can learn, contribute or even invent new games. It is not limited to the games only, it’s an open space after all. If you like to talk about anything agile and beyond and if you like a good audience this is for you.
Agile Coach Retreat – Toronto
A one day retreat for coaches to get together; usually, learn a new thing or two in the morning, and in the afternoon to practice coaching. Sometimes the afternoon becomes a mini-open space too.
Spark The Change – Toronto
A two-day event focused on many perspectives and aspects of the Change! You won’t leave without inspiration, guaranteed!
Play 4 Agile North America – Cornwall
This is very similar to the Agile Coach Camp, just focused on the gaming aspect more; or not! You have to take part to know! Also, it is one day longer, you get to have fun one more day!
Agile Open Canada – Vancouver
This used to be called Agile Coach Camp West. They rebranded to Agile Open Canada from the last couple of years. This year it is in beautiful Vancouver. A great excuse to visit the west coast with family.
Agile Coach Camp – U.S.
There is an annual coach camp happening in the US. This is a rotating coach camp, it will give you a chance to visit different cities in the US.
Local Gatherings
There are plenty of gathering happening locally where you live, I am sure. These are some that can give you back what you might miss at ACCCA. These are the ones I know and can recommend to you:
East – Toronto
- AgileTO: The largest of its kind in Toronto, and in Canada!
- LeanAgileNetwork (formerly known as AgileLunch): Agile with lunch, or the other way around!
- Agile Ontario: The oldest that I know of! Running and running!
- KanbanTO: A younger, focused on Kanban and its implementation
- Lean Enterprise Toronto: Focused on innovation and how enterprises can embrace lean startup ideas!
- Envision Agile Meetup: Another good meetup in Toronto.
- Agile Dialogue Mississauga: A great community in Mississauga.
- Halton Agile/Lean Network: Specific to the people leaving in Halton region.
- Toronto ScrumMaster Clinic Meetup: A clinic for Scrum Masters.
- Lean and Agile Change Management: From Change Management team!
Ceased to Operate:
SystemsThinkingTO: Focused on systems and thinking about them!Agile Drinks: Drink to Agile! and to a new or old friend
East – Ottawa
- Agile Ottawa Meetup Group: An Ottawa group with more than 2000 members
West – Vancouver
- Agile Vancouver: Vancouverites around Agile! Almost as big as AgileTO!
West – Calgary
- Calgary Agile: A meetup group for practitioners of agile methods in Calgary
Conferences
Conferences are good alternatives to ACCCA, and in general to attend! These are the ones I would recommend if you are in North America.
- Agile Alliance (Agile 2019): The largest of all!
- Agile & Beyond: A very good conference to attend.
- Agile Games: Another great conference, it is called games, and you will find games; but there are more to it.
- Big Apple Scrum Day: A day of Agiling in the big apple
- TriAgile: I haven’t been to this yet. I have heard lots of good things about it.
- GOAT (Gatineau Ottawa Agile Tour): One good conference in the heart of Canadian capital.
- Toronto Agile Conference: I mostly go for meeting old friends, and new ones!
- Agile Montreal Tour: I have never been to, heard good things about it!
- XP (2019 is in Montreal): This is the first year out of Europe!
- AgileDC: A good conference in the heart of U.S.
- LeanKanban Global Summit: I have never been to. It is worth checking if you are more into Kanban.
Unconferences
- Agile Games Canada, an open space for all people of agile and beyond, with the focus on game but not limited to
- Agile Product Open – Toronto, one full day of learning and growing yourself and product
Please point out any good ones that you know of! I will add them to the list.
Awesome post! Thank you for sharing! Can I share via other methods?
For sure @Stuart. Please feel free and do so!
Hi Shahin – you could add Agile Ottawa meetup to Local Gatherings East. I'll let you Google it, so I don't spam a link.
– Dag
Thanks for introducing me to this, I did.
Awesome list! Thanks for sharing!