After the huge pre-Burn info collection, we made our feedback after the Burn short and sweet this year – just two simple questions. 102 of you gave us your thoughts, and we appreciate it! Your insights, suggestions, praises, and critiques are a treasure trove of community wisdom. We’ve sifted through your responses and distilled some key themes that emerged.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the things that went well and the top learnings from this year’s Burn. This is all about learning, growing and improving – we’re on it.
What Went Well:
- Community Resilience: Despite the unexpected weather and the challenges it brought, the community pulled together. We’ve seen repeated mentions of how everyone rallied to support each other in the face of adversity. As one participant stated, “Logistically, it was dealt with really well and super impressed with our community for how well everyone pulled together to support each other.”
- Kiwiburn Ride Share: Our eco-friendly initiative, the Kiwiburn rideshare, got many of you carpooling. Multiple people mentioned its success, showing how conscious we all are about reducing our carbon footprint. “Kudos for the official KB rideshare match-up! […] it was a real game changer.”
- Sustainability Initiatives: Our ongoing commitment to sustainability was appreciated by many of you. From composting toilets to reducing waste, your comments show that these initiatives are valued. “Sustainability is a core principle and it was a joy to see how many camps took it seriously this year.”.”
- The variety of activities: Workshops and events that catered to different interests were a highlight for many. Despite some comments about the overwhelming number of workshops, the variety was mostly appreciated. “Events were a veritable smorgasbord this year! From whimsical workshops to surprise performances, the sheer variety of activities on offer was inspiring and really made for a unique experience. Truly a testament to our community’s creativity.”
- Emphasis on Inclusivity and community spirit – Many appreciated the inclusivity and camaraderie that pervades the Burn. You felt welcomed, appreciated, and a part of the community, regardless of whether it was your first time or you’re a seasoned Burner. “For me, Kiwiburn was a place where I felt accepted and cherished just the way I am. The sense of belonging to this warm and accepting community was my biggest takeaway.”
Things We’ve Learnt:
- Clearer Communication: We’ve learnt that more direct and clear communication during critical times is crucial, particularly with misinformation circulating. As one participant stated, “After experiencing some muppets telling us we needed to evacuate, it would be good to know what an official emergency/evacuation announcement looks and sounds like.” – We are looking at options for this right now at ExCom and will be bringing you our ideas soon!
- Infrastructure and Amenities: The weather demonstrated the need for improved infrastructure, particularly weather-resistant shelters, drainage and positioning of facilities. We are talking about how we can be more prepared in the future now – we learned a lot from this year!
- Diversity and depth of experience: There was a concern that 2023 felt a bit like a “frat party” – skewed towards mainstream white cisgender ideas. People are calling for more diverse attendees, deeper connections and meaningful conversations – the Burn is more than a party.
- Theme camps: Streamlining the theme camp experience from registration to compliance to event scheduling. And yes, thinking about how we can focus on quality over quantity of events, too. One of the ways we are driving this is to separate the role of Theme Camp Facilitator from Arts Facilitator, to give more time and focus to Theme Camps.
- Consent and Privacy: Many of you expressed concern about privacy – photography is one area, and another is the collection of pre-event data.
Every year is a learning curve, and we deeply appreciate all your insights. We’re committed to improving Kiwiburn for everyone, making it a space where our community can thrive, learn, and grow together. Thanks for being a part of this journey!
