A Knowledge Fair is an event designed to showcase information about an organization or a topic, presented by someone directly involved in it. Also known as Share Fair or an Information Market, it includes demonstrations, booths displaying information, exhibition boards, workshops, videos, informal corners, open spaces, etc., all of which
In sufficient space, participants present their work: this is what we do. This is an opportunity to hear from them live and to see their products. At the same time, it is an opportunity for all participants to show off, to present the results of their work and to get immediate feedback from their peers. Not everybody needs to be a presenter, but those who do need to come prepared: with documents, photos, samples, a short video, etc. All other participants are free to move around the information market to hear about the opportunities and challenges of selected initiatives.
- Provide opportunities for multiple parties to broadcast their achievements, exhibit their products, and market new projects to donors, policymakers, other institutes and potential partners;
- Facilitate face-to-face networking and promote exchanges and discussions focusing on a common agenda;
- Help people benefit from each other's experiences;
- Stimulate interest in future collaboration and the development of new programmes.
In sufficient space, participants present their work: this is what we do. This is an opportunity to hear from them live and to see their products. At the same time, it is an opportunity for all participants to show off, to present the results of their work and to get immediate feedback from their peers. Not everybody needs to be a presenter, but those who do need to come prepared: with documents, photos, samples, a short video, etc. All other participants are free to move around the information market to hear about the opportunities and challenges of selected initiatives.
WHEN TO USE IT AND WHY
Knowledge fairs are face-to-face events in which participants set up displays to share their work, results and ideas. They can be internal to an organization or open to partners and the public. They are organised
A Knowledge Fair is particularly recommended when there is a lot of information to share in a group and when participants need a broader perspective, and when it helps to interact on a one-to-one basis on specific topics. It is an alternative to formal presentations when more interactive experiences are desirable.
- As part of annual meetings or gatherings;
- Within an event, or at a community, regional or broader level to share the current status of work or a project;
- To bring the concept of knowledge sharing to life, to show staff, management, clients and other partners what is being done (and also show how to share knowledge);
- To foster informal networking and problem solving.
A Knowledge Fair is particularly recommended when there is a lot of information to share in a group and when participants need a broader perspective, and when it helps to interact on a one-to-one basis on specific topics. It is an alternative to formal presentations when more interactive experiences are desirable.
HOW TO?
- Get top level support and publicize the fair widely - also if it is part of a larger event;
- Set it up where there is a lot of foot traffic, or where all participants will be sure to walk through. Don't accept a decision to set it up in an out-of-the way space. Allow space for all participants to display materials, and for all visitors to go from one presenter to another;
- Get common displays for booths so as to convey an image of diversity with integration;
- Be realistic about how much time it takes for presenters to prepare and display;
- Don't plan in too much detail for the actual booths - presenters can self-organize within a common framework;
- Allow sufficient time for all visitors to talk with as many presenters as possible.
A large amount of information can be made available and attendees can focus specifically on what they are interested in learning. Attendees can interact directly with the presenters, getting immediate answers to their specific questions. They also can establish contacts for further exploration of topics if needed.
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
- Participants interested in sharing their work and results, all of them with materials to show
- Booths, tables
- Sufficient space for all presenters
- Participants interested in what others are showing
- Time
MORE INFORMATION / SOURCES
- SDC Shareweb Learning & Networking, n/d. Knowledge Fairs. This site presents many different tools, with Knowledge Fairs as one of the KM tools for "gathering your insights".
- Jairo Matallana, Jairo, 2015. Knowledge Fairs: Mechanism for horizontal transfer and knowledge exchange. Knowledge Management Methodological Series, Sharing Knowledge for Development Project. Knowledge Management Unit, UNDP Regional Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean. A very thorough description, covering from participants to the costs involved
- CGIAR and others, n/d. Knowledge Sharing Toolkit. This toolkit includes a description of a "share fair" together with many other knowledge sharing tools and methods, all of them applicable in a wide range of contexts
.