On 23 June we’re hosting the latest Akvo Track Day. It’s been a while since we hosted an event like this in Amsterdam, and we’d love to see you there. If you’ve never been to one of our Track Days before, this blog will explain the what and why. Or, you could just register straight away and see for yourself.
The name Track Day has nothing to do with track and trace data, it refers to a day on an actual race track. On a track day you can take your car — the one you use for your daily commute and grocery shopping — to a motor racing circuit and drive around the race track without speed restrictions. It’s very much like racing, though you are not allowed to actually race. There are no winners or losers. It’s not about who is best. It’s about trying out the tools you have at your disposal (your car) and see what you can do with it, how fast it can go and have some fun along the way.
Akvo’s Track Day is very similar to that. Akvo will get you up to date with the latest developments around our tools, and you can test them out and have a go yourself. There are also keynote speakers who will tell you about the work they’re doing, so you can pick up their best tips and tricks and try them out yourself. There is a chance to mingle with peers and generally have a good time.
The day is scheduled as if you’re on a racing circuit. The Akvo Crew welcomes you in with coffee before you’re off to assemble at the starting line. There will be Lightning talks and break-out sessions, until it is time take a pitstop for lunch. Once you’re petrol tank is filled up, we continue with more Lightning talks, break out sessions and a debate before we reach the finish line.
We organise Track Days in different places in the world and for each series of Track Days we come up with a new visual identity that enhances the feeling of being on a race track. In 2012 the Track Day had a vintage feel, followed by a hyper modern neon theme in 2013. We haven’t organised many Track Days since then, so for this event we decided to go all out again and come up with a new theme.
This year our poster and programme features a bendy racing track. Apart from the obvious (the track), the winding road indicates that there are things to learn and experiment with. It’s not a straight line, it’s a learning curve. And to top it off, there is a hidden message in it too.
Hidden message – when viewed fully, the winding road actually spells out Track day.
The crew is still finalising the programme, which will be announced next week, but I can already tell you that it is an exciting one. It’s a mixed programme covering a range of topics through Lightning talks, hands-on demo’s as well as a lively debate. You can secure your spot at the starting line by registering here.
Linda Leunissen is Akvo’s graphic designer, based in London. You can follow her on twitter @lindadutches
