ITSF’s Vision
The ITSF vision sees an annual, technically stimulating, four day presentation driven international industry forum and workshop with tutorials (conference).
The conference will focus on developments, techniques, issues, problems, solutions and Standards relating to accurate and traceable synchronisation, time and timing applicable to Telecom, Broadcasting, Finance, Energy, Defence and other related critical infrastructure activity.
ITSF’s Mission
The ITSF mission is to encourage a wider understanding of the needs for synchronisation, time and timing in critical infrastructure and wider applications, by bringing together individuals from industry, government and academia representing users, suppliers and professionals in the timing community.
The conference should be preceded by tutorials delivered by industry experts.
The conference should be supported by an evening social networking programme which includes an Icebreaker and a Speaker Dinner. The annual TimeLord award will be made at the Dinner with the TimeLord being the speaker.
ITSF’s Objectives
The main objective is to organise a four day annual conference which comprises three days of technical, non-commercial, non-promotional presentations as per Content Guidelines, split into major topic sections preceded by tutorial sessions on the first day.
The secondary objective is to wrap the event with opportunities for networking and discussion. Evening functions will complement the technical content of the conference. ITSF content is organised by a Steering Group led by the Chairman and an Executive Steering Group (see Governance) which oversees strategic aspects such as venue and event organisation.
The event also offers an opportunity for interested organisations to sponsor and exhibit during the conference.
ITSF’S Content Guidelines
- Style and Timescales
o Contributions should be in PowerPoint – On Screen Ratio 16:9
o Final slides should be submitted 3 weeks before the event
o The reserved slot may be given to a standby paper if the contribution is not received on time
o Questions will take place at the end of the sessions not after each paper
o Paper time slots will be 20 or 25 minutes as defined in the programme
o Warnings will be given with 5 minutes and 2 minutes to go
o The speaker must stop when indicated to do so by the Session Chair
o Failure to stop will jeopardise the conference timing and impact fellow speakers
- Content
o Slides should not contain commercial service or product promotional language
o Product photos should be avoided
o Company introduction slides are not allowed
o Customer references or endorsements are not allowed
o Authors agree that Content is not commercially confidential
o By submitting a presentation deck, the presenter is giving ITSF permission to publish the material on the website and that attendees can download the material for their personal use
o ITSF reserves the right to enable/disable such downloads, including, but not limited to, restricting such downloads to registered attendees and limited time windows of availability
- Review & Disputes
o Any presenter breaking content rules after subcommittee review will be not be allowed to speak at the following year’s ITSF
o The decision of the session subcommittee and ITSF Steering Group is final
Event History
- ITSF 2001 – London – Royal Kensington Garden Hotel, organised by Chronos Technology
- ITSF 2004 – London – organised by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET)
- ITSF 2005 – London – organised by the IET
- ITSF 2006 – Prague – organised by the IET
- ITSF 2007 – London – organised by the IET
- ITSF 2008 – Munich – organised by Avren Events
- ITSF 2009 – Rome – organised by Avren Events
- ITSF 2010 – Dublin – organised by Avren Events
- ITSF 2011 – Edinburgh – organised by Avren Events
- ITSF 2012 – Nice – organised by Avren Events
- ITSF 2013 – Lisbon – organised by Avren Events
- ITSF 2014 – Budapest – organised by Avren Events
- ITSF 2015 – Edinburgh – organised by Executive Industry Events
- ITSF 2016 – Prague – organised by Executive Industry Events
- ITSF 2017 – Warsaw – organised by Executive Industry Events
- ITSF 2018 – Bucharest – organised by Executive Industry Events
- ITSF 2019 – Brighton – organised by Executive Industry Events
- ITSF 2020 – Online – organised by Executive Industry Events
- ITSF 2021 – Brighton – organised by Executive Industry Events
- ITSF 2022 – Dusseldorf – organised by Executive Industry Events
- ITSF2023 – Antwerp – organised by Executive Industry Events
Social and Networking Events
An “Icebreaker” networking event with refreshments takes place on the first evening to enable delegates to relax after the first days papers. This could be a technically interesting venue e.g. a museum or other suitably appropriate venue. Past venues have included the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, a tour of Young’s brewery, a flight on the London Eye, the Strahov Library in Prague, the Capitoline Museum in Rome, the Guinness Store House in Dublin, and Edinburgh Castle.
A speaker dinner takes place at the end of the second day. The dinner includes the annual Time Lord Award Ceremony.
Exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities exist for both these events.
Future Changes to the Vision, Mission and Objectives
The ITSF’s Vision, Mission and Objectives are defined by this document. Any change to this document, and therefore to the Vision, Mission and Objectives, requires the approval of at least 75% of the Steering Committee.