What is LockFest?

While you may have heard of "LockCon" which is the world-renowned international championship event held (usually) in the north of the Netherlands every fall season, The US division of TOOOL also hosts large LockSport events in North America. LockFest is such an event. Like a glorified TOOOL meeting, where everyone hangs out and casually shares stories, knowledge, and drinks... this is a great time and a great way to expand your connection to the wider LockSport community.

Many Europeans attend the US events, and there's nothing that says you can't attend both LockFest as well as LockCon (indeed, the most dedicated lockpickers often do)... but to maximize the potential in everyone's schedules, LockFest is held in the spring, so as to be opposite the Dutch LockCon on the yearly calendar.

The dates for the next LockFest are: the fifth weekend of May 2020. That's May 29th - 31st.

• Previously, much of the feedback we got focused on how people loved the low-key times, and social aspect of things. That will be the focus this time. Remember the "Show & Tell" sessions? We are going to have more opportunities for those. Unstructured, chillout times with our picks and locks and gear.
• Think of this as a grand-daddy locksport meeting more than a formal conference. The same atmosphere of wander-in, wander-out will be preserved.
• We will still entertain the idea of a handful of "official" talks so if you have something VERY special that you're cooking up, don't hesitate to contact us. But we do not have a formal CFP process at LockFest.

This event is specifically open to others in the locksport world who haven't yet met us in person or attended LockCon in the Netherlands before. (such as many in the local Seattle tech & hacker crew... and the lockpickers among Black Lodge.)

LockFest in the USA in Seattle at the end of May 2021 is not in the cards right now.

While TOOOL is heartened by the progress made regionally and Seattle locals are appreciative of the progress our region has made with respect to flattening the curve, there are no guarantees that other parts of the USA will be similarly on a positive trajectory in the coming few weeks. It might be suitable for Seattle locals to mill about by the end of May, but it is unlikely that it would be responsible for us to encourage many others across this country to travel between states, gather in a hotel, etc.

Furthermore, we've been in touch with our usual hotel and have been told that (a) a full refund for the meeting rooms and guest rooms because of the "force majeure" clause comes into play and also (b) the future of this hotel is uncertain even after the quarantine orders are lifted (they are taking this as an opportunity to do major renovations and it's not clear how long those will run, etc)

We're talking about this in the #LockFest channel on the TOOOL Slack (ping any of the Board or leadership staff if you need an invite) and will share more as things develop.

Stay safe and stay healthy, everybody!