35th Annual FIRST Conference | Empowering Communities

Attendee Communications

Overview

For those of you who are new to FIRST events, FIRST sends periodic communications that specifically relate to the event you are registered for. Information will include general reminders, mobile app information (when applicable), tips/suggestions for planning your trip, limited time opportunities, event-related social activities, and messaging from key sponsors and supporters.

Below is a record of messages that have already been sent to FIRSTCON23 delegates to ensure you don't miss out!

Attendee Comms 5: May 31 (Final)

Dear <{First Name}>,

Thank you for registering to attend the 35th Annual FIRST Conference: Empowering Communities, June 4-9, 2023, in Montréal, Canada. This is the final communication before the event, and we look forward to seeing everyone in a few short days!

Why am I receiving this?
If you are new to FIRST events, our events team periodically sends attendee communications that specifically relate to the event you are registered for. Information includes general reminders, mobile app information (when applicable), tips/suggestions for planning your trip, limited-time opportunities, event-related social activities, and messaging from key sponsors and supporters. You can find a history of attendee communications for this event logged at: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/attendee-comms.

In this digest:

  • Sunday Networking Activities: Newbies and Welcome Reception
  • Sunday Pre-con Training (separate registration is required)
  • Travel Reminders
  • Additional Conference Odds and Ends
  • Accessing the Conference App – Available Now

Registration Procedure and Times
Conference registration opens on Sunday, June 4th from 11:00-20:00 and is located on the Mezzanine level of the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel. You may access this floor from the elevators or the escalators from the main lobby. This year, we have deployed self-check-in kiosks for a speedier process. There will be no shirt size exchanges permitted until Friday, June 9th.

If you require a badge re-print, we ask that you head over to the Speaker Check-in/Badge Reprint line. You will not be able to reprint your badge at any other kiosk.

If you are a speaker, please look for the Speaker Check-in/Badge Reprint line.

If you are unable to register on Sunday, registration opens bright and early Monday, June 5th at 07:00. Registration will be open daily, detailed hours may be found here: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/program.

If you are joining an AM training session on Sunday, registration runs from 07:00-09:00 on the Mezzanine level.

Sunday Networking Activities: Newbies and Welcome Reception
If you are NOT joining training, our first activity of the day is for FIRST newbies. Please gather in the main ballroom, Place du Canada, from 17:00-18:00 for a FIRSTCON 101 session. First-time attendees will also be able to pick up a piece of badge flair by attending.

Immediately following is the Welcome Reception sponsored by Adobe in Agora + Centre-ville (Lobby level). Please be sure to have your name badge and join your colleagues at the opening reception from 18:00-20:00. Light appetizers and beverages will be served.

Sunday Pre-conference Training (separate registration is required)
There are still seats remaining in several of the Sunday pre-conference training courses. The opportunity is open to all conference delegates looking for further enrichment.

Please keep the following in mind:

  • Separate registration is REQUIRED.
  • Sunday training activities are considered stand-alone from the conference and will not be live-streamed or recorded.
  • There is a non-refundable registration fee for training this year: $100 US for members and $200 US for non-members. If you need to pay via wire or PO, please contact events@first.org for instructions.

Participants may register for training courses on-site on Sunday morning if seating permits. We urge and recommend participants do their best with planning ahead and help our team avoid on-site registration bottlenecks during the Sunday morning rush.

Training details are listed on the program agenda: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/program.

Registration for the training: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/registration-options.

Travel Reminders
While we know many of you are well-seasoned travelers, we do ask that you take a moment to review all your travel requirements and procedures before heading to the airport. Please be sure to have any appropriate paperwork squared away and double-check your airline app or call your airline to see if you have any pending to-dos such as an eTA: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html). We have provided additional travel guidance at: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/travel-visa.

Please be aware of your hotel check-in times; you can always check your bags at the hotel’s front desk if you arrive early.

If you are arriving on Sunday, June 4th into YUL, look for our welcome desk in the arrivals near the baggage claim hosted by the Montreal Convention & Visitors Bureau. They will be able to help with any questions or suggestions needed.

Additional Conference Odds and Ends
A couple more odds and ends to share in hopes of elevating your experience on-site next week!

  • Meal Rooms for Breakfast and Lunch: Meals will be split into two areas of the hotel. A smaller area on the main conference floor in Square Dorchester and a larger area down on the lobby level in Agora + Centre-Ville (where our Sunday reception will be hosted). There will be various seating and standing options to accommodate our delegation. We ask our delegates to be kind and if you happen to be seated for your meal and notice someone who may need a seat for physical reasons, be a sport and offer your seat. We will be providing breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday.
  • Wednesday’s Social Event: Wednesday’s social will be located on-property at the Fairmont and on the main conference level (2nd floor). Get ready for a fun evening with your peers. Festivities run from 19:00-22:00. For those that would prefer a more chill vibe, we will have Square Victoria (also located on the 2nd floor) available for use. Food and drink will also be available in Square Victoria.
  • Attendees Staying at the Fairmont: If you are staying at the Fairmont, your room wifi is included. When you login, you may or may not be prompted with a payment step, please disregard, and hit connect. Just be sure you are not “upgrading” your connection speed. Please be sure to check your bill when you check out to make sure all wifi charges are removed.
  • Underground Access to Shops, Quick Bites, Coffee: The Fairmont is conveniently connected to Montreal’s extensive underground system. You can find a plethora of conveniences such as pharmacies, coffee shops, bakeries, and several food courts at your fingertips. Find a map of the underground here: https://gotourismguides.com/montreal/montreal-underground-city-map/.

Accessing the Conference App – Available Now

If you wish to use the app on your desktop, please bookmark this link and follow steps 2 & 3 below: https://firstevents.certaintouchpoint.com/apps/2843.

If you wish to use the app on your mobile device:

  1. From your app store, search for “FIRST ORG Events”. You should see the green “FIRST” icon logo. If you have attended our past virtual events or the last few physical conferences, you may already have the app installed on your phone. OR use the links below:
    a. IOS link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/first-events/id1535833989
    b. Android link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.first.tp.events

  2. After the app downloads, click on the Login link.
    a. If you are a FIRST member, you can use your SSO login.
    b. If you are not a FIRST member, you will need to Request a Password. Check for an email from donotreply@gatherdigital.com that contains a set password link.

  3. Once you are logged into the app, please be sure to review your contact settings and decide if you wish to be “Hidden” or “Visible.” All attendees have been set to “Hidden.”

Check out this page for a summary of features available in the app: https://touchpoint-support.certain.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033729233-Features-Overview

All schedule updates and live comms will take place through the app. We encourage you to have it ready before you arrive.

See what some of our sponsors have offered up in the Digital Swag Bag! You will be asked to submit your name and the email that you used during registration to access the bag. Keep in mind that if you wish to participate in a sponsor offering and if that offering requires your contact information, the contact information provided WILL be supplied to that specific sponsor.

And lastly…if you wish to have a copy of the agenda printed beforehand, a link to a printable program booklet will be available from within the app by Friday, June 2. Just keep in mind that the book will NOT be updated in real-time like the app and the website. The opt-in attendee listing will be located in the booklet.

Safe travels and we look forward to seeing everyone at FIRSTCON23!

Sincerely,
FIRST Events Office

Attendee Comms 4: May 22

Dear Attendee,

Thank you for registering to attend the 35th Annual FIRST Conference: Empowering Communities, June 4-9, 2023, in Montréal, Canada. We look forward to meeting you!

Why am I receiving this?
If you are new to FIRST events, our events team periodically sends attendee communications that specifically relate to the event you are registered for. Information includes general reminders, mobile app information (when applicable), tips/suggestions for planning your trip, limited-time opportunities, event-related social activities, and messaging from key sponsors and supporters. You can find a history of attendee communications for this event logged at: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/attendee-comms.

In this digest:

  • IMPORTANT Reminders: Sunday Pre-conference Training
  • LAST CALL: Session Chair Volunteers – Extended to May 24

IMPORTANT Reminders: Sunday Pre-conference Training
There are still seats remaining in several of the Sunday pre-conference training courses. The opportunity is open to all conference delegates looking for further enrichment.

Please keep the following in mind:

  • A separate registration is REQUIRED. Sunday training activities are considered stand-alone from the conference and will not be live-streamed or recorded.
  • There is a non-refundable registration fee for training this year: $100 US for members and $200 US for non-members. If you need to pay via wire or PO, please contact events@first.org for instructions.

Participants may register for training courses on-site, on Sunday morning if seating permits. We urge and recommend participants do their best with planning ahead and help our team avoid on-site registration bottlenecks during the Sunday morning rush.

Training details are listed on the program agenda: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/program.

Registration for the training: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/registration-options.

Call for Sessions Chair Volunteers – Extended to May 24

We need a few more volunteers! Don’t be shy 😉.

Volunteering as a session chair is a great opportunity to stretch those public speaking skills and grow your network of trusted connections. Please see the list of duties below. If you are interested, we ask that you please complete the questionnaire at the following URL no later than May 24: https://capsllc.wufoo.com/forms/firstcon23-call-for-session-chairs/.

General duties include…

  • Ensure sessions flow smoothly and stay on time
  • Speaker introductions (we will provide the intros to your speakers via email)
  • Housekeeping notes (notes to be provided to you if applicable)
  • Assist with session Q&A at the end of the session (if needed)
  • Complete a headcount and general comment/critique of the session
  • Keep in touch with the event organizers if any issues arise—you are an extension of the team!

*The FIRST events team will manage the delivery of presentations to the AV team. Session chairs are not responsible for the management of presentation materials.

Each session chair volunteer will receive a packet with materials and a session chair ribbon in Montréal. An informal meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 4 at 14:00 in the lobby of the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel. If you are unable to attend, you may pick up your packet at the registration desk when you arrive.

Short and sweet update this week! If you have additional questions about the conference and your participation, please do not hesitate to contact our team events@first.org for assistance.

We anticipate sending one more email next week on May 31, detailing access to the mobile app, access to your digital swag bag, and any final reminders, updates, things to consider, etc.

Lastly, be sure to bookmark the conference webpage for all the latest updates: https://conference.first.org.

Sincerely,
FIRST Events Office

Attendee Comms 3: May 16

Dear Attendee,

Thank you for registering to attend the 35th Annual FIRST Conference: Empowering Communities, June 4-9, 2023, in Montréal, Canada. We look forward to meeting you!

Why am I receiving this?
If you are new to FIRST events, our events team periodically sends attendee communications that specifically relate to the event you are registered for. Information includes general reminders, mobile app information (when applicable), tips/suggestions for planning your trip, limited-time opportunities, event-related social activities, and messaging from key sponsors and supporters. You can find a history of attendee communications for this event logged at: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/attendee-comms.

In this digest:

  • Registration Reminder for Sunday Pre-Conference Training
  • Call for Session Chairs – Interest Due by May 22
  • Capture the Flag Update
  • Some General FAQs to Help You Plan Ahead!

*Please visit the Attendee Comms page to review additional opportunities: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/attendee-comms

Registration Reminder: for Sunday Pre-Conference Training
Sunday training seats are available, and registration is open to all conference delegates. Training seats are limited and highly sought after, please visit the program website to review your options. There is a non-refundable registration fee for training this year: $100 US for members and $200 US for non-members.

Program Agenda: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/program Registration: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/registration-options

Call for Sessions Chairs – Interest Due by May 22
Volunteering as a session chair is a great opportunity to stretch those public speaking skills and grow your network of trusted connections. Please see the list of duties below. If you are interested, we ask that you please complete the questionnaire at the following URL no later than May 22: https://capsllc.wufoo.com/forms/firstcon23-call-for-session-chairs/.

General duties include…

  • Ensure sessions flow smoothly and stay on time
  • Speaker introductions (we will provide the intros to your speakers via email)
  • Housekeeping notes (notes to be provided to you if applicable)
  • Assist with session Q&A at the end of the session (if needed)
  • Complete a headcount and general comment/critique of the session
  • Keep in touch with the event organizers if any issues arise—you are an extension of the team!

*The FIRST events team will manage the delivery of presentations to the AV team. Session chairs are not responsible for the management of presentation materials.

Each session chair volunteer will receive a packet with materials and a session chair ribbon in Montréal. An informal meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 4 at 14:00 in the lobby of the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel. If you are unable to attend, you may pick up your packet at the registration desk when you arrive.

Annual SecLounge SIG Capture the Flag (CTF) Event Updates!
For those of you who indicated interest in participating in the annual CTF event, details are forthcoming!

Background: The SecLounge SIG will once again organize and host the annual Capture the Flag (CTF) exercise with some novelties. Practical details will be provided during Monday’s opening remarks on June 5. The activity runs Monday through Thursday with the winning teams announced during Friday’s closing remarks. All attendees are welcome to play regardless of experience, thanks to a wide variety of challenges and difficulty levels.

*Even if you did not indicate your interest during online registration, you will be welcome to join in the week of! For more details on the CTF, please visit: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/ctf.

Some General FAQs to Help You Plan Ahead!
A full list of FAQs is available at https://www.first.org/conference/2023/faqs. Here are a few highlights to help you plan ahead as we continue the countdown to the conference…

Are all the conference activities hosted in one location? Yes, all conference sessions and social activities listed on the agenda will be hosted at the Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. https://www.first.org/conference/2023/program

What is the dress code? FIRST events lean towards the casual end. Jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers are the typical uniform. If you are still in doubt, we default to “business casual.” We do always recommend you pack a few light layers (a wrap, a cardigan, a light jacket, something easy to throw on and carry) as the meeting rooms are typically kept on the chilly side.

Will there be a conference app? Yes, we plan to make the 2023 conference accessible within the FIRST Events app on May 31. If you do not have the app downloaded already, you may download the conference app via your app store by searching for “FIRST.org events.” Look for the green and orange icon with a white FIRST logo. *If you are downloading this ahead of May 31, the screenshots will show the 2022 event; we are pending store screenshot updates.”

Will sessions be streamed and how do I access those? All confirmed registrants (virtual and in-person) of the conference will have access to the live streams and on-demand recordings through the FIRST Events app. Only TLP:CLEAR general sessions and breakouts will be streamed/recorded. Workshops and training will not be streamed or recorded.

If you have any specific questions you would like to ask, please feel free to send them to our team for further assistance.

That is all for this update! If you have additional questions about the conference and your participation, please do not hesitate to contact our team (events@first.org) for assistance.

Lastly, be sure to bookmark the conference webpage for all the latest updates: https://conference.first.org.

Sincerely,
FIRST Events Office

Attendee Comms 2: May 2

Dear Attendee,

Thank you for registering to attend the 35th Annual FIRST Conference: Empowering Communities, June 4-9, 2023, in Montreal, Canada. We look forward to meeting you!

Why am I receiving this?
If you are new to FIRST events, our events team periodically sends attendee communications that specifically relate to the event you are registered for. Information includes general reminders, mobile app information (when applicable), tips/suggestions for planning your trip, limited-time opportunities, event-related social activities, and messaging from key sponsors and supporters. You can find a history of attendee communications for this event logged at: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/attendee-comms.

In this digest:

  • Sunday Pre-Conference Training Posted
  • Trainer Coaching Workshop on June 3 & 4
  • Reminder | Birds of a Feather (BoF) Meetings: Now Accepting Submissions
  • Diamond Sponsor Welcome Message: Cisco

*Please visit the Attendee Comms page to review additional opportunities from our last digest including a research interview via CMU SEI and the annual “unofficial” football match hosted by FlashPoint: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/attendee-comms

Sunday Pre-Conference Training Posted
The Sunday (June 4) training schedule has been posted! Registration is currently open to FIRST members and will open to non-members beginning May 11. Training seats are limited and highly sought after, please visit the program website to review options and submit your registration. There is a fee to reserve a training seat: $100 US for members and $200 US for non-members.

Trainer Coaching Workshop on June 3 & 4
The Open CSIRT Foundation and FIRST will also be organizing a Trainer Coaching workshop to be held on June 3 & 4 at the Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. The workshop aims to help participants learn how to become quality trainers and presenters who effectively reach and engage audiences.

This workshop has limited capacity and is intended for trainers active in or interested in joining the FIRST training community. If you are interested in participating in the training or have any other questions, please email klee@first.org and cc events@first.org.

Birds of a Feather (BoF) Meetings: Now Accepting Submissions
We are still accepting submissions for BoF meetings at: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/bof-submission. BoFs are informal meetings that take place during the annual conference and are based on the interest of attending participants. Non-members are also welcome to submit.

BoFs are scheduled throughout the conference week at the discretion of the FIRST organizers. BoF topics must be submitted for review and approval using the above submission form. A BoF agenda will be posted to the conference website in early June.

Submissions must be received by May 12.

You must be a registered delegate to submit a BoF talk. The email must match what you used during your registration to receive an access code.

Diamond Sponsor Welcome Message: Cisco

FIRST is grateful for the support received by an amazing team of organizations that share the vision and mission of improving security together. Our Diamond sponsor, Cisco, has a quick message that they would like to share with you:

“Cisco is delighted to support this global gathering of security professionals.

Stop by the Cisco Booth in the expo hall for an informative and engaging discussion with our team on any security challenges you may be facing and learn more about our innovative and customizable network, cloud, and endpoint security solutions.

We also invite you to join Adam Weller's session, "What's Running on My Hosts? Process Identification Through Network Traffic Monitoring," taking place on Thursday, June 8th. View the conference agenda here: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/program.

We look forward to seeing you at #FIRSTCON23!”

We would also like to thank ALL of our sponsors for their support this year. Please be sure to review the Exhibitor Listing on our Sponsorship Team page to see which sponsors plan to host a table Monday-Thursday of the conference week: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/sponsorship-team.

Special thanks to our Local Host, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.

That is all for this update! If you have additional questions about the conference and your participation, please do not hesitate to contact our team (events@first.org) for assistance.

Lastly, be sure to bookmark the conference webpage for all the latest updates: https://conference.first.org.

Sincerely,
FIRST Events Office

Attendee Comms 1: April 21

Dear Attendee,

Thank you for registering to attend the 35th Annual FIRST Conference: Empowering Communities, June 4-9, 2023, in Montreal, Canada. We look forward to meeting you!

Why am I receiving this?
If you are new to FIRST events, our event team periodically sends attendee communications that specifically relate to the event you are registered for. Information includes general reminders, mobile app information (when applicable), tips/suggestions for planning your trip, limited-time opportunities, event-related social activities, and messaging from key sponsors and supporters. You may find a history of attendee communications for this event will be logged at: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/attendee-comms.

**In this digest:

  • Birds of a Feather (BoF) Meetings: Now Accepting Submissions
  • Calling all Interested SOC and Incident Response Experts: Research Interview Opportunity
  • Activity Highlight: Annual Attendee Football Match and Networking on Monday, June 5th
  • Upcoming Odds and Ends: Virtual Participation, Conference App, Sunday Workshops
  • Check Out the Exhibitor Listing and Plan Ahead**

Birds of a Feather (BoF) Meetings: Open Submissions
We are now accepting submissions for BoF meetings at: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/bof-submission. BoFs are informal meetings that take place during the annual conference and are based on the interest of attending participants. Non-members are also welcome to submit.

BoFs are scheduled throughout the conference week at the discretion of the FIRST organizers. BoF topics must be submitted for review and approval using the above submission form. A BoF agenda will be posted to the conference website prior to the conference.

Submissions must be received by May 12th.

You must be a registered delegate to submit a BoF talk. The email must match what you used during your registration to receive an access code.

Calling all Interested SOC and Incident Response Experts
The SEI’s Security Operations Team is currently conducting research on the development and operations of Security Operations Centers (SOCs). For this study, they will be conducting interviews with SOC and Incident Response experts during the upcoming annual FIRST conference in Montreal, Canada, June 4-9, 2023. If you are interested in participating in the study or have questions, please contact Justin Novak jnovak@cert.org.

Activity Highlight: Annual Attendee Football Match and Networking on Monday, June 5th
If you are new to FIRST, this attendee-hosted event is a great networking opportunity...please keep in mind that this is notan official FIRST-hosted activity. Attendees are responsible for their own actions.

Michael Mortensen, from Flashpoint, has made the following arrangements for those interested in playing or cheering:

The What, Where, & When:

  • What is it: Join us for an evening of fun as we play indoor football/soccer at Ministere du Cricket & Autres Sports Orphelins
  • Where is it: Ministère du Cricket & Autres Sports Orphelins, 1301 Rue Mazurette, Montréal, QC H4N 1G8 (https://ministryofcricket.ca/)
  • When is it: Monday, June 5th from 19:00-21:00
  • Will there be transportation: A bus with a capacity of 55 people will pick up from Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel at 18:15 and drop off at 21:40. Bus seating is first-come, first-served!
  • Dress Code if you are planning to play: A clean change of running shoes (no outdoor shoes or cleats on field) and track pants or leggings for players (not shorts) To Register: Please send an email to mmortensen@flashpoint.io.

Thanks to Flashpoint for sponsoring this event!

PS: If you still have the energy, this group will be arranging a meet-up after the event at Brass Door Pub, 2171 Crescent St, Montreal, Quebec H3G 2C1 for a cold beer. (15 min walk from The Fairmont Hotel)

Odds and Ends: Virtual Participation, Conference App Details, Sunday Workshops

  • Virtual Participation: This year’s conference will be presented in a hybrid format. Those registered specifically as virtual participants will have access to TLP:WHITE sessions. Session content will be available live and on-demand. Virtual participants will also be able to interact with in-person delegates and exhibitors.
  • Conference App: The conference app will be an all-in-one reference for conference participants. There are no printed agendas. In-person delegates will have full access to live streams and on-demand recordings. No additional registration is required to access the conference app. Information on how to access the conference app will be released the week prior to the conference kick-off. The app will also be available in a desktop, browser-based version.
  • Sunday Training Opportunities: Sunday pre-conference training opportunities will be available the first week of May. Registration is required and there will be a minimal fee for members and non-members to ensure their attendance. Courses are limited in size by nature and have become increasingly popular. Members will have the first opportunity (one week) to register for their selections before registration opens to the general attendance.

Check Out the Exhibitor Listing and Plan Ahead The sponsorship support we receive every year is overwhelming. We are grateful to our sponsors and hope you can spend time with them during the conference week. Please be sure to review the Exhibitor Listing on our Sponsorship Team page at: https://www.first.org/conference/2023/sponsorship-team.

Special thanks to our Diamond Sponsor, Cisco.
Special thanks to our Local Host, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.

That is all for this update! If you have additional questions about the conference and your participation, please do not hesitate to contact our team (events@first.org) for assistance.

Lastly, be sure to bookmark the conference webpage for all the latest updates: https://conference.first.org.

Sincerely, FIRST Events Office