Birds Of a Feather

From ResNetWiki

At ResNet symposia, Birds of a Feather meetings (or, "BOFs") are informal round-table meetings constructed around themes. The BOFs are usually announced in the daily newsletter and held during breakfast. They are open to any guests who wish to contribute to a conversation about the theme or just to listen in.

Typically, these meetings are suggested by symposium guests with a topical interest not being covered in a regular session. Occasionally, the themes have been derived from sessions in which conversation amongst guests was too extensive to be contained to the hour-long presentation/discussion format. A few BOFs are organized by ResNet or symposium leadership in order to conduct the business of the organization or the the conference, e.g. discussion on program planning for the following year's symposium.