Mid-Atlantic Leadership Conference 2025

When: Friday, April 4 – Sunday, April 6, 2025
Where: JKRP Architects: 100 East Penn Square, Suite 1080, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Cost: $100
Estimated Attendance: 60-90
Tickets on Sale Now: https://peacock.firepony.org/
Contact: Questions? Email malcplanning (at) gmail dot com or philadelphia (at) burningman (dot) org

Conference Overview

Since its first iteration in 2016, the Mid-Atlantic Leadership Conference has welcomed Burning Man and local community leaders from around the region to share ideas and best practices, and to inspire and learn from one another. MALC events have been hosted in Washington, DC (Keegan Theatre), Baltimore, MD (Creative Labs), and Old Town Alexandria, VA (private home). We are excited that MALC 2025 will be hosted at the beautiful Wanamaker Building in downtown Philadelphia!

MALC 2025 will consist of almost two full days of programming designed to promote knowledge exchange, skill enhancement, community development, and relationship building. Attendees include current and prospective Burning Man Regional Contacts, board members, producers and department leads of Regional events, theme camp leaders, other Burning Man and local community leaders, as well as artists who are interested in building art for Regional events and/or their local communities.

FirePony Creative Society is proud to be the sponsor for the Mid Atlantic Leadership Conference.

Is MALC right for me?

MALC is for anyone who is leadership-curious, ready to take their leadership skills to the next level, or comfortable in their leadership skin and ready to share their knowledge. Side effects may include an increased feeling of belonging to a global community, big and crazy dreams, and an uncontrollable impulse to make the world around you more awesome.

Conference Objectives:

• Explore the global impact of Burning Man and how we, as individual community leaders, fit into the larger picture.
• Discuss the specific successes and challenges we have and continue to face as a Burner community in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
• Discover just-in-time skills, tools, and resources  from our Burn community that can be used to foster, grow, and support our local communities.

Conference Schedule

Friday, April 4: Participants are encouraged to meet up with fellow MALC participants for dinner on South Street prior to gathering at a local artist’s studio for the conference kickoff event. The evening will include networking, introductions, an interactive ice breaker, and a lively discussion followed by a cocktail hour (and we’ve been promised some dancing).

Saturday, April 5:  Breakfast will begin at 8:00am at the Wanamaker Building. Programming will begin at 9:00am and run until 6:15pm. Lunch will be on your own. Conference attendees are invited to attend a nearby party with the Philadelphia burner community.

Sunday, April 6:  Breakfast will begin at 9:00am. Programming will begin at 10:00am and run until 1:30pm. Participants are encouraged to check out the Philadelphia Maker Faire Sunday afternoon.

Workshop Topics

We are compiling an exciting and compelling collection of workshops lined up for you, and more are getting finalized daily. We invite you to check back frequently for updates!

• Community Leadership in a Time of Moral Crisis. Facilitated by David Koren (“Not That Dave”) and Meg O’Toole (“MegO”). As community leaders, we take on the responsibility to convene and nurture our community members, activate our culture, and project our shared values into the world. This is a profoundly personal and moral role in our society. We are guides for those around us. We are examples and measures for how others will act and engage. In a time in which our society is experiencing an acute moral crisis, with our shared values under assault, how can we as leaders continue to convene inclusive and authentic events in which people feel safe and where they can freely express themselves in a context in which they can be supported, even as their expression may be triggering for others? How do we structure our engagements to welcome this dialogue, rather than shutting it down before it even starts?
• Drink Water! The Power of Hydration, presented by David Wilson (“Neptune”) The history of Black Rock City, as seen from the perspective from the Fire Conclave, and told through the pages of the webcomic, DRINK WATER! An exploration into the history of a recurring playa art project sustained over the course of 25 years. Examine Burning Man history both in the light of the fugitive nature of immediacy, and the enduring potential of the underlying concepts and creative ideas. Dive into ways to bring the Burn home, and what the experience can teach us about the nature of self reliance, inclusivity, gifting, and the risks of commodification. For fans of playa art, fire arts, hydrating & dreaming; and for those who attempt the often harrowing task of organizing volunteers in a communal effort to create lasting and unique artworks.
• Decommodification, facilitated by Bardia Saeedi (“The Artist”) Decommodification has long been a cornerstone of Burning Man culture, but in recent years, it has become one of the most debated principles. From unsanctioned Regional Burns to the rise of plug-and-play camps and the growing trend of Burners profiting from the community, the line between participation and commercialization is increasingly blurred. In this roundtable, we’ll explore the evolving challenges of decommodification in today’s Burn landscape, discussing what practices honor the spirit of the principle and what crosses the line. How do we uphold the ethos of gifting and radical self-reliance while navigating the realities of funding, accessibility, and sustainability? Join us for an open discussion on where we should draw the line and how we can preserve the integrity of the Burn experience.
• Radical Vulnerability, facilitated by monster.  Radical Vulnerability facilitated by monster (and friends?) As a leader, folks often expect you to have it all together. But we all experience hidden challenges, and sometimes community expectations make those even greater. This session will allow folks to share what makes them feel vulnerable as a leader, without judgment from the rest of the group and without the need to “fix” it. Strict “Vegas rules” apply (what happens in the group stays in the group). You may find that you have more common experiences that you realized. 

Some additional session that are in the works include:

• Conduct at Regional Events and the Governance Structure of the Conduct Committee
• The History of the Ranger Network
• Art in 4D
• Burning Man Behind the Scenes

IGNITE the Mid-Atlantic Leadership Conference!

Applications Open: MALC Civic Ignition Grant

Mid-Atlantic Leadership Conference Planning Team

Patty Simonton (Producer), Sharyn’ Giggles, David “Neptune” Wilson, David Wilkes, Diane Edbril, Brandon “Wax” Hall, Todd Gardner, Joy Nichols, Sara Tonin

Accommodations

We look forward to welcoming you to Philadelphia!

To make this an inclusive event accessible to all we are pleased to offer the following options for sleeping arrangements:

Local Philly Burner Hosts are offering a room, bed or couch space. If interested in this option please fill out this form to be connected with the best fit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1u5OS2Sp_uk7a36qUGGGEEhLpjBD3V78CQllMB7NBHmk/edit

Individual seeking a place to stay are invited to complete this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Iz0CxhkIktPHHf3WJWAQWI0niPN-73KOkkPq7JWJfV8/edit

Hotel blocks are available at the following hotels:

If you’re interested in sharing a room or a larger rental, you can post on the MALC Facebook or Dscord group to coordinate a room share with others.

You are also welcome to make your own arrangements. There are options for a private rental through vrbo.com for larger rentals for anyone interested in a group property share (2+ bedrooms).

Getting There

Saturday and Sunday daytime MALC events will take place at the Wanamaker Building, located at 100 E Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

MALC 2025 Scholarship Tickets

UPDATE: A handful of additional discounted $60 tickets have been made available. Please contact us if the $100 ticket price is a barrier to your participation.
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We have budgeted a limited number of discounted $60 tickets for individuals for whom the cost of the tickets are a barrier to entry. Please contact us if you would like to request a MALC 2025 scholarship with your request no later than March 2nd and we will do our best to accommodate. Applications are confidential and will not be shared or distributed outside of the MALC 2025 Planning Team.