&gt; How would one even try to organize this chaos?<p>&gt; You want to know how I think the Germans would do it? An annual conference first, and then incorporate an organization to handle the coordination: you’ll be surprised how much focus and teamwork pulling off a large annual conference will build. An annual event gives groups a deadline to work toward, and I don’t need to tell you how important that is. And an annual conference gets people physically together and having fun, and that absolutely shouldn’t be underrated.<p>What about Maker Faire, HOPE, DEF CON, etc.? I haven&#x27;t been to those (or to a CCC Congress), so I don&#x27;t know if there&#x27;s a difference or what that difference is. Maybe someone who has can comment?