Returning Symposia to Philosophical Dinner Parties

Learning from the Art of Gathering1

The Art of Gathering offers a refreshing commentary on how we convene, emphasizing intentionality, purpose, and structure to transform meetings into meaningful exchanges. Prya Parker critiques the default approach to gatherings, where logistics take precedence over purpose and where engagement often remains superficial. Instead, she proposes a framework where hosts must define a gathering’s core purpose, curate guest lists that support this purpose, and craft an experience that fosters deep engagement and connection.

One of Parker’s key insights is that a gathering must not simply be a category—a meeting, a panel discussion, a networking event—but should instead be centered around a specific, disputable purpose. The sharper the focus, the greater the energy and commitment of attendees. She also underscores the importance of priming guests before the event, ensuring that they arrive prepared and invested in the subject matter. Strong openings and structured environments further elevate the quality of engagement, while meaningful closings reinforce connections and key takeaways.

From Parker’s work, we distill the following core principles:

  1. Commit to a Clear and Specific Purpose – Every gathering must serve a well-defined goal, distinct from generic industry meetings.
  2. Curate the Attendee List with Purpose – Attendees should be selected based on their potential to contribute meaningfully.
  3. Prime Participants in Advance – Thoughtful preparation, including sharing materials before the event, enhances discussion quality.
  4. Emphasize Two-Way Dialogue – Gatherings should be structured to prioritize participation over passive reception.
  5. Create a Deliberate Opening and Closing – The first moments should set the tone, while the closing should ensure retention of key insights.
  6. Design the Space for Engagement – Seating and environment should facilitate rather than hinder conversation.

These principles provide a foundation for rethinking how the Center for Offsite Construction (CfOC) convenes professionals in our field. 

The Ancient Greek Symposium: A Model for Meaningful Exchange

The Greek symposium was an essential institution in classical society, serving as a forum for dialogue, debate, and cultural exchange. Unlike modern conferences, which often prioritize prepared speeches and formal presentations, symposia were social, interactive, and deeply engaging. These gatherings took place in private homes, with participants reclining on couches arranged in a circular formation. Conversation was structured yet dynamic, guided by a symposiarch who determined the flow of discussion and moderated the event.

Symposia were integral to intellectual and political life. Philosophers, poets, and statesmen gathered not merely to hear prepared arguments but to engage in real-time exchange of ideas. Plato’s Symposium, one of the most famous literary accounts of such gatherings, captures the depth of discussion that could emerge from well-facilitated, open-ended dialogue.

Key characteristics of the Greek symposium include:

  1. A Defined yet Flexible Structure – Discussions were centered around a chosen theme but allowed for organic exploration.
  2. A Shared Physical Space Designed for Interaction – The andrōn (men’s quarters) featured couches arranged for maximum engagement.
  3. The Role of the Symposiarch – A host who ensured that discourse remained balanced and that all voices were heard.
  4. The Expectation of Contribution – Participation was not optional; attendees were expected to actively engage.
  5. A Balance Between Formality and Spontaneity – While symposia followed certain customs, they also left room for improvisation and spontaneity.

CfOC’s Approach to Hosting Industry Gatherings

Building on both Parker’s principles and the historical model of the Greek symposium, the CfOC seeks to be disciplined in how it gathers industry professionals to exchange knowledge. We reject the passive, one-way format of the modern academic symposium and instead prioritize structured, multi-directional conversations where all attendees contribute meaningfully. Thus, the CfOC adopts the following policies for hosting industry gatherings:

1. Highly Defined Topics and Pre-Event Preparation

Each CfOC gathering will be focused on a specific, well-articulated topic rather than a broad category. This ensures that discussions remain deep, relevant, and actionable. To support this, CfOC will provide preparatory materials (including slide decks, data sets, and relevant readings) at least one week in advance. This practice allows attendees to arrive informed and ready to engage rather than passively absorbing information.

2. Thoughtfully Curated Attendance

CfOC industry gatherings will not be open to general audiences. Instead, attendees will be selected based on their expertise, interest, and capacity to contribute to the discussion. We aim to bring together professionals who will challenge, refine, and expand each other’s perspectives.

3. Structuring Events for Maximum Participation

Our gatherings will allocate no more than 25% of the total event time to presentations. The remaining 75% will be devoted to facilitated discussions, roundtables, and other two-way mediums designed to foster real-time collaboration. To support this:

  • Panel discussions will always include structured audience participation.
  • Roundtables and breakout groups will ensure all voices are heard.
  • Symposiarch-style facilitators will ensure balanced participation and guide discussions toward productive outcomes.
4. Creating an Environment That Encourages Engagement

Rather than auditorium-style seating, CfOC gatherings will be arranged in formats that encourage direct interaction. Whenever possible, seating will be circular or grouped in smaller configurations to allow for eye contact and dialogue. Venue selection will also prioritize environments conducive to exchange, avoiding large, impersonal conference halls in favor of more intimate, structured settings.

5. Trusting Attendees to Contribute Thoughtfully

Attendees will not be passive listeners but active participants, expected to come prepared with insights, challenges, and questions. CfOC operates on the belief that our industry’s greatest innovations will emerge not from the transmission of pre-prepared knowledge but from engaged dialogue among practitioners, researchers, and industry leaders.

6. Measuring and Refining Our Approach

Each gathering will conclude with a structured closing session that consolidates insights and determines next steps. Post-event surveys and debrief sessions will be used to refine the format continuously, ensuring that our events evolve to better serve the CfOC community.

Space for a New Model of Industry Exchange

The CfOC stands at the intersection of academia and industry, and we recognize the urgent need to rethink how knowledge is shared. At that crossroads, we seek to foster a new kind of professional gathering—one rooted in interaction, engagement, and real-time knowledge creation.

We invite practitioners, researchers, and industry leaders to join us in building this model. Whether by contributing expertise, refining our approach, or simply participating in dialogue, each attendee plays a vital role in shaping the future of offsite construction discourse. By prioritizing purpose, preparation, and participation, we hope to demonstrate a revision to how 21st-century industry symposia function—not as passive conferences but as true forums of collaborative innovation.

  1. For more detail, see Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters (New York: Riverhead Books, 2018) ↩︎