The Open Compute Project (OCP) Summits are more than just an event—they are a hub for innovation, collaboration, and the collective advancement of open infrastructure. Submitting a breakout session proposal offers a unique opportunity to showcase your organization’s contributions, engage with the OCP Community, and help drive the industry forward. But what does it take to create a submission that not only stands out but also aligns with the values and goals of OCP?
Submitting a breakout session proposal is a powerful way to establish your organization as a thought leader. It demonstrates your commitment to innovation and collaboration, two cornerstones of the OCP Community. By sharing your work, you not only build trust in your organization but also contribute to the broader conversation about the future of computational infrastructure.
Engaging with the OCP Community through a breakout session allows you to connect with engineers, industry peers, and potential partners who are equally passionate about open standards. It’s an opportunity to push the boundaries of what’s possible, share challenges, and explore solutions together. Additionally, presenting at the OCP Summit can significantly enhance your personal and organizational brand, positioning you as a leader in the field and attracting collaborators who value transparency and innovation.
A successful OCP Summit submission is built on three key pillars: collaboration, community alignment, and open innovation.
Collaboration is at the heart of OCP. The strongest proposals highlight work that has been developed collaboratively within OCP Projects or in partnership with other community members. OCP is not a platform for solo acts or proprietary pitches—it thrives on the collective efforts of its members. When crafting your proposal, consider partnering with vendors, customers, or industry experts to present joint findings or adoption success stories. For example, framing your submission as “Join [Project Name] contributors and our team as we share our collaborative journey to solve [specific challenge]” signals to reviewers that your session is rooted in community-driven efforts.
Community alignment is another critical factor. The OCP Community values proposals that engage early with project discussions and align with OCP’s roadmap and tenets. Before submitting, discuss your ideas in OCP forums or project meetings to ensure your session supports broader community goals. Proposals that introduce novel, aspirational ideas—such as advancements in sustainability, scalability, or AI workloads—are more likely to be selected. For instance, you might frame your submission as “Building on our recent [OCP Project] discussions, this session will explore how we’re advancing [specific goal] through open collaboration.”
Open innovation is the foundation of OCP. Your submission should focus on engineering and technical insights rather than marketing or proprietary content. All content must be open and shareable with the OCP Community. Avoid confidential or commercial pitches, and instead, emphasize real results, technical advancements, and actionable takeaways that attendees can apply to their own work.
The structure of your abstract plays a crucial role in whether your submission is accepted. A well-crafted abstract clearly communicates the value of your session and why it matters to the OCP Community.
Start with a clear, specific, and intriguing title that captures the essence of your session. Avoid jargon and focus on the value you’re delivering to attendees.
In the abstract itself, address three key questions: What is the core idea of your session? Why does it matter to the OCP Community? What will attendees learn? For example, you might write: “In this session, we’ll share how our cross-industry collaboration within [OCP Project] led to a breakthrough in [specific area], and how you can apply these insights to your own projects.”
Dynamic, engaging speakers who can connect with the audience are preferred, so showcase their ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
Finally, in your abstract, provide an outline of your session using a logical flow, such as challenge → solution → next steps. Include key takeaways or actionable insights that attendees can walk away with, ensuring your session is both informative and practical.
Start now by engaging with the OCP Community: Join project calls, contribute to specifications, or participate in white papers and case studies. Regular collaboration not only strengthens your submission but also builds your reputation as a valued member of the community.
Look for opportunities to collaborate with other members on co-presentations or success stories. Explore the OCP Contribution Database and Marketplace for inspiration, and consider how your work aligns with the broader goals of the community.
When you’re ready, submit your proposal early and focus on quality, relevance, and community impact. Remember, the best content wins, and the OCP Summits are your platform to inspire, innovate, and collaborate.
The Call for Presentations process for the 2026 OCP EMEA Summit, taking place in beautiful Barcelona, Spain April 29 – 30, will open December 8! Learn more about the event here.
Have questions or need guidance? Reach out to the OCP team at [email protected]