Imagine what happens when artists, coffee shop baristas, bookstore owners, third-space operators, social and civic entrepreneurs, faith leaders, weavers and organizers gather.
Bonanza! is an invitation-only unconference for ideas, connections, and fun. We bring together the people who create the spaces, events, and organizations through which community life happens across Connecticut. We intentionally curate the one day gathering so people connect with peers who they otherwise might not meet, and so the event is designed to fulfill their needs and aspirations.
Bonanza! Organizers
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’d like to join us or want to learn more, connect!
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We have two goals. First, we’re organizing the gathering to build community among people, so they can share ideas, make connections, and have fun with peers who lead similar work throughout Connecticut. Second, we hope that the ideas sparked and the relationships formed lead to collaborations that advance each participant’s passions. Great things happen when incredible people gather.
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Friday, September 25, 2026. Information about the location and time are shared with the invitation.
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100 people from across Connecticut, including community builders of all forms: artists, coffee shop baristas, bookstore owners, third-space operators, social and civic entrepreneurs, faith leaders, weavers and organizers.
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An unconference is a participant-driven gathering where the agenda is created by attendees on the day of the event, rather than pre-planned by organizers. At the start, participants propose and self-organize sessions around shared interests. Peer exchange replaces formal presentations. People attend sessions they actually care about, which surfaces real expertise and produces ideas, connections, and fun aligned to what participants actually need.
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$100 per participant. This price helps us to cover the event costs. We believe the best gatherings happen when everyone has skin in the game.
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Bonanza! is invitation-only because the gathering is designed to enable participants to meet people who lead similar work throughout Connecticut but who they otherwise might not meet but for Bonanza! If you’d like an invitation, reach out anytime. Tell us about yourself and share your interest in Bonanza!
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As part of the curated community experience, we’ve created an app that enables participants to learn about each other before the gathering, and to easily connect afterwards.
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Yes! We intend to organize Bonanza! every year. The inaugural gathering of 100 people happens this September. They invite a friend in 2027, growing the community to 200. And then they invite a friend in 2028, and so on. By 2029, Bonanza! is 800 people gathering in a giant field under big tents. Imagine the possibilities!