At New Zealand’s Kawaiicon cybersecurity conference, organizers launched a unique initiative to combat the common convention affliction known as “con crud.” They installed a real-time carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring system throughout the Michael Fowler Centre, allowing attendees to track air quality before they even entered the venue on November 6.
This innovative system was established with DIY CO2 monitors set up in multiple areas of the conference. Attendees could check a public dashboard displaying air quality levels in various rooms and communal areas, reinforcing the event’s commitment to safety and health. Jeff Moss, the founder of the renowned DEF CON and Black Hat conferences, praised the initiative, highlighting the ingenuity of using CO2 levels as an indirect measure for potential airborne viruses.
Elevated CO2 levels can impair cognitive function and facilitate the spread of airborne viruses, making the monitoring of these levels essential—especially during ongoing health crises. Kawaiicon organizers had to navigate the complexities of hosting a large event amid a measles outbreak and persistent challenges posed by COVID-19 and influenza.
Before the conference, the organizers began deploying the CO2 monitors, coordinating with public health researchers from the University of Otago to ensure the project was effective. The monitors were based on a DIY project from Adafruit Industries and provided live, accessible data including historical trends in CO2 levels.
The unique layout of the venue, known for its impressive acoustics and design, presented challenges for air circulation monitoring. Organizers placed the CO2 monitors strategically throughout the venue to ensure accurate readings at optimal heights, avoiding locations near windows and doors. They aimed for maximum effectiveness while addressing typical health and safety concerns, allowing attendees to assess their own thresholds of risk.
Kawaiicon attendees had the opportunity to monitor the CO2 levels remotely, facilitating informed decisions about their safety at the conference. During the event, many could be seen checking the dashboard or the wall-mounted monitors, which displayed real-time air quality readings with color-coded alerts: green for safe, orange for caution, and red for high CO2 levels.
The Kawaiicon organizers expressed their goal of accommodating varying risk levels among attendees, emphasizing that masks would be available for anyone who needed one, although not mandatory. They also provided online streaming options to ensure accessibility for all interested participants, further demonstrating their commitment to public health and safety.
In summary, Kawaiicon’s innovative CO2 monitoring system serves as a precedent for how future conventions can prioritize health without sacrificing the sense of community and collaboration that define them. This DIY solution for air quality monitoring highlights the potential for adopting technology in proactive ways to enhance safety at large gatherings, making it an inspiration for other events.
