FAN7 is the 7th Fab Lab Asia Network Conference, themed "Make the Future Now", bringing together innovators, makers, and thought leaders from across Asia and beyond to exchange ideas and collaborate.

The Fab Lab Asia Network is a sub network of the international Fab Lab Network.

A Fab Lab, or digital fabrication laboratory, is a place to play, to create, to mentor and to invent: a place for learning and innovation. Fab Labs provide access to the environment, the skills, the materials and the advanced technology to allow anyone anywhere to make (almost) anything.

In your community a Fab Lab may be know by another name such as a makerspace or hackerspace. Lake Macquarie has a Fab Lab; The Lake Mac Libraries Fab Lab which is part of the international Fab Lab Network.

There are over 1700 spaces around the world that are part of the Fab Lab Network. These spaces collaborate, share knowledge and support each other. Lake Mac Libraries Fab Lab encourages all Fab Labs, makerspaces, hackerspaces etc. to become part of the Fab Lab Network. If interested please contact [email protected].

No you do not. FAN7 is open to all!

FAN7 will bring together people from diverse disciplines and cultures to explore how digital fabrication, 3D printing, robotics, and other technologies can shape our future. It's a place where collaboration and creativity merge to drive change and innovation. Anyone with an open mind and a cooperative spirit is welcome to attend!

8-11 October 2024 - The Fab City Challenge will be based out of the Lake Mac Libraries Fab Lab, 20 Lake St, Windale, New South Wales, Australia.

14-16 October 2024 - Main FAN7 Conference will take place at Warners Bay Theatre, Warners Bay, New South Wales, Australia.

17 October 2024 - Hunter Innovation Festival will take place at Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

18 October 2024 - Fab City Summit will take place at Warners Bay Theatre, Warners Bay, New South Wales, Australia.

19 October 2024 - Community Festival (free and open to the public) will take place at Warners Bay Theatre, Warners Bay, New South Wales, Australia.

Please see the Program page.

New information on detailed programming is added as updates become available.

See the pitch content section of our Get Involved page.

Theoretical Workshop
Theoretical workshops are designed to encourage participants to share their ideas, experiences, and knowledge, in order to generate new perspectives and innovative solutions. By producing a theoretical workshop, you have the opportunity to create a space for exchanging ideas and connecting with like-minded individuals in the community.

Hands-on Workshop
Lead an interactive session where participants can learn by doing. You will be responsible for developing the content and structure of the workshop and providing any necessary materials. This is a chance to share your knowledge and skills with a diverse community of makers and innovators from around the world. Get ready to inspire and empower others to learn and create!

Working Groups
Lead a session for initiatives that involve numerous people within the community - from learning programs under the Academany ecosystem to networks and projects. This is a chance to meet in person and discuss the roadmap for the future. The goal of these groups is to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge-sharing among participants with different backgrounds and expertise.

Presentation
Share your expertise and insights through a formal presentation. You will be responsible for preparing a structured talk, including any visual aids or materials. This is an opportunity to present your findings, projects, or ideas to an engaged audience, fostering a deeper understanding and sparking meaningful discussions within the community. Be prepared to answer questions and engage in dialogue following your presentation.

Research Paper
Present your research findings to an audience of peers and experts. This session is designed for researchers to share their latest work, methodologies, and results in a formal setting. You will be responsible for preparing a comprehensive presentation that clearly communicates your research objectives, methods, and conclusions. This is a valuable opportunity to receive feedback, engage in scholarly discussions, and contribute to the collective knowledge of the community.

Fab City is a global intiative to develop locally productive and globally connected self-sufficient cities and regions. It is a new urban model of transforming and shaping communitites that shifts how they source and use materials: from 'Products In Trash Out' (PITO) to 'Data In Data Out' (DIDO). In this model, more production occurs inside the city/region and materials circulate to meet local production needs.

The main goal of the over 50 cities, regions and countries that so far have pledged to be part of the Fab City Global Initiative is by 2054 they will be able to produce (almost) everything they consume.

Fab City concepts and opportunities will be explored during FAN7 through the Fab City Challenge and the Fab City Summit. You can find more information about Fab City at https://fab.city.

To participate in the challenge you need to apply through the application form. Applying to the challenge does not guarantee your participation. The challenge has a maximum capacity of participants. After the applications close the Fab City challenge team will curate the challenge teams with the local hosts.

Successful applicants will need to have already purchased a ticket to FAN7 or purchase a FAN7 ticket within 2 weeks of being informed of being a successful applicant. Applicants under 18 years of age are exempt from this requirement if they will not be attending the FAN7 conference.

Applications will open soon.

If you are not selected you are automatically put on the waiting list. If within the next two weeks a selected participant fails to confirm their participation someone from the waiting list will be selected and contacted to participate.

Contact the event host, Lake Mac Libraries Fab Lab, via email [email protected]

Planning and coordinating an international conference with hundreds of attendees and the top digital fabrication experts in the world costs money. Registration fees help offset the costs associated with organising and hosting an event of this scale. We surveyed similar conferences, and our registration fees are relatively modest compared with other large international conferences for the level of programming on offer.

The ticketing schedule is outlined below. Register early to take advantage of the lowest prices and to secure a spot. Discounted ticketing available for Australian residents, students, concession card holders, Lake Mac Libraries Fab Lab Users and Lake Mac Arts Members.

Early Bird - Ends 10 July 2024

International attendee - $775

Australian Resident - $475

Australian Resident Concession/Student - $250

Carer/Guardian - $250

Standard (From 11 July 2024)

International attendee - $975

Australian Resident - $675

Australian Resident Concession/Student - $350

Carer/Guardian - $350

All prices are in AUD.

Note: If you are under 17 years of age you cannot attend the conference by yourself and will need someone 18 years or older to accompany you. The person accompanying you will also need to purchase a ticket. The person accompaning you is eligible to purchase a carer/guardian ticket.

Your full access pass includes:

• Access to the main conference, Fab City Summit and Community Festival, including all talks, workshops etc.
• Workshop materials
• Access to our partner event, the Hunter Innovation Festival
• Lunch daily for 5 days (14-18 October 2024)
• Dinners, receptions, and parties listed in the main schedule (more details coming soon)
• Access to the Fab City Challenge (if you are a sucessful applicant to the Challenge)

In addition to the above, successful Fab City Challenge applicants will get transport to and from Lake Mac Libraries Fab Lab for field visits and lunch each day on the 8-11 October 2024.

The registration is valid for one person and cannot be transferred, unless there are extenuating circumstances (please contact [email protected] if you would like to request a transfer). As a registered participant, you may attend all sessions that interest you. Any additional participants who may be planning to join, such as partners, spouses, or other family members, must also purchase a FAN7 ticket.

Yes. FAN7 is designed as a streamlined experience to take you through the contexts, tools, and collaborative mindsets that support the integration and application of these to real-world issues. You are welcome to attend as many or as few sessions as you wish. We encourage you to make the most of this unique opportunity!

Accommodation is available around Lake Macquarie and options can be found here.

You can also find additional accommodation in Newcastle city centre, about 20 minutes drive from the venue. Based on demand, a shuttle bus service may be provided between Newcastle city centre and the venue at Warners Bay or between a nearby train staion and the venue at Warners Bay.

If you have any questions in regards to accommodation contact [email protected].

The following policy covers FAN7. Please carefully review the following when booking your registration for the event. By registering to attend the FAN7 event, you agree to the following:

Your registration is not complete until full payment is received. All tickets are valid for the named attendee only and cannot be transferred, unless there are extenuating circumstances (please contact [email protected] if you would like to request a transfer).
If you must cancel your registration, please submit a written request to [email protected]. Please include the ticket identification number listed on the order confirmation email as well as your .pdf ticket If we receive a valid cancellation request, we will process it as below:

• Up to 60 days before the event, 94% of the ticket cost will be refunded. Less the 6% transaction fee
• Up to 30 days before the event, 50% of the ticket cost will be refunded
• Less than 30 days before the event, NON REFUNDABLE

This policy applies to all circumstances, including any reason related to COVID-19, such as transportation disruptions or cancellations, border closures, declined travel visas, illness, travel or health advisories, or quarantines. COVID-19 and its consequences are still a part of this policy.
All participants acknowledge that changes in itinerary, location, content, host or other arrangements may happen with little or no notice before the event date in response to reasons including but not limited to: weather events, security events, closed borders, public health concerns, or host or team sickness or injury. The Lake Mac Libraries Fab Lab, Lake Macquarie City Council, the national host, Hunter iF, and the Fab City Foundation reserve the right to make alternate arrangements at any time. We will make every attempt to be transparent and consult with event participants.
It may be necessary to cancel an event at FAN7 for reasons beyond our reasonable control. If a FAB&7 event must be canceled (other than supplementary expeditions or activities), we will offer you the choice of either: (a) a refund for the paid amount minus a 6% transaction fee, or (b) a donation to Lake Mac Libraries Fab Lab for the total paid amount
In such cases, Lake Macquarie City Council is liable for refunding the fees according to the policy above for the affected event.
We reserve the right to return the payment and refuse acceptance of a booking for any participant, at any time, for any reason, at no penalty to the event organisers.
Once approved, any refunds will be issued within 30 days of receipt of the cancellation notice to your original payment method. Refunds usually appear within 3 – 5 days.
Our contact details can be found in the booking confirmation email or on the ticket. To submit a request to cancel your registration, please email us with the order number and other booking details. If you have any other questions, contact us at [email protected]

You will need a valid passport to enter Australia.

Unless you are an Australian citizen, you will also need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. New Zealand passport holders can apply for a visa upon arrival in the country. All other passport holders, regardless of age, must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can apply for a range of Australian visa types, including tourist visas and working holiday visas, via the ETA app or on the Department of Home Affairs website.

For more information about visiting Australia see the Tourism Australia Website

Please contact [email protected] if you require an official letter for the event, either for your visa or for customs on your arrival.

By Car
1 hour 50 minute drive north on the M1 Motorway from central Sydney/Sydney Airport, or a 20 minute drive from Newcastle city centre.

By Bus
Newcastle Transport runs buses to the venue on Route 29, Route 48 and Route 269

By Train
There is a shared pedestrian/bicycle between Booragul Station and Warners Bay Theatre that runs along the lake, approximately 6.1km. Bicycles can be taken on trains.
You can get a bus between Cardiff Station and Warners Bay Theatre.

By Taxi or Rideshare
Uber is available in the area.
Taxis are available in the area, for example via 13cabs

By Plane
Take a direct flight to Newcastle Airport, the sixth largest regional airport in Australia, from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne or Sydney. Hire a car at the airport, use a private transfer service, or take a taxi or rideshare to Warners Bay. There are also coach services available to Newcastle city centre from there you can take a train/bus and/or taxi/rideshare.

Fly to Sydney Airport. Hire a car at the airport, take trains, or use a private transfer service to get to Warners Bay. There are also coach services available to Newcastle city centre, from there you can take a train/bus and/or taxi/rideshare.

If you have any questions in regards to getting to the venue or Lake Macquarie in general, contact [email protected].

The official currency of Australia is the Australian dollar, and its symbol is "$".

The ISO 4217 code for the Australian dollar is "AUD". Common coins include denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, as well as 1 and 2, dollars. Banknotes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars.

Note that most payments made in Australia are now cashless and some places do not offer a cash option. It is recommended that you have a way to pay for things via a digital wallet (e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay), a debit card or credit card. VISA or MasterCard can be used everywhere credit cards are accepted.

You may need an adapter in order to plug your appliances into the power sockets in Australia: the adapter required for Australia is Type 1 Australia plug. The plugs in Australia have two flat metal pins, forming an inverted 'V' shape, and occasionally a third pin in the centre. The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz.

Tipping is not expected is Australia. Tipping is always your choice, if you feel like rewarding for good service.

Mobile data is available in most places in Australia - though you might not be able to access a signal in the outback. Your mobile plan may charge steep international roaming fees, so we recommend, if your phone is unlocked, that you pick up a prepaid Australian SIM card when you land, allowing you to make calls and access data at local prices.

Free Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, cafes and restaurants.

You can find out more about visiting Australia via the Tourism Australia Website.