FiRa Plugfest FAQs

Plugfests are working interoperability events. Registered participants are expected to directly support testing activities and may not attend solely as observers. Except for the host organization supporting the event, members without a test platform may not participate.

No. Platforms may include prototypes, development boards, or production-ready devices.

FiRa collects limited technical information, such as device roles, supported features, and profile capabilities, to enable effective participant matching.

This information is used only for Plugfest planning and scheduling and is not shared with other participants, nor is it published internally or externally.

See the FiRa Plugfest Platform Capabilities Form for details.

FiRa will make reasonable efforts to create meaningful test pairings based on registered capabilities. If no suitable match is available, FiRa will notify the participant two weeks in advance of the event.

No, but venue capacity may limit overall registration for an event.

Some Plugfests may specify a technical focus area or targeted profiles. Any such focus will be clearly communicated prior to registration.

Yes. Plugfests may provide an opportunity to explore optional features or areas not previously validated during formal test events, subject to participant interest and scheduling.

Participants may voluntarily share their results or observations with FiRa. If testing partners to not agree to share results with FiRa, test partners will be anonymized in the test results.

Access to the matchup schedule is limited to registered participants, FiRa staff, and FiRa administration.

Registered participants will receive a testing schedule one week prior to the event that includes assigned table numbers and time slots for their platforms.

Yes. Plugfests operate under confidentiality protections, including Plugfest-specific NDAs, to ensure that proprietary and implementation-specific information remains protected.

Participants are responsible for bringing their test platforms, required accessories, power supplies, and any tools needed to support testing. 

Unless explicitly stated for a specific event, FiRa does not provide shared test equipment or reference platforms at Plugfests.

FiRa staff will be present to support scheduling, coordination, and general event logistics. Participants are responsible for operating and troubleshooting their own platforms.

Plugfest hosts are expected to provide suitable event space, internet connectivity, power access, and basic event infrastructure, as well as snacks and refreshments for participants during the event. Hosts are also typically asked to provide lunch for registered participants and FiRa support staff.

If providing lunch would otherwise prevent an organization from hosting, alternative arrangements (such as separating lunch support from hosting responsibilities) may be considered.

See the Plugfest Host Requirements document for full details.

FiRa offers non-hosting sponsorship opportunities, including monetary sponsorships that support event logistics, refreshments, administrative costs, or social activities.

See Sponsorship Benefits for available sponsorship levels.

No. Plugfests are complementary to and distinct from both FiRa test events and FiRa Certification testing. FiRa test events and certification testing involve executing tests against FiRa test tools, with results shared with FiRa by design to support specification validation or conformance assessment.

Plugfests are member-only interoperability events focused on structured, pairwise testing between FiRa implementations in a fully confidential setting. They enable members to build confidence in real-world interoperability with other FiRa Devices, both before and after certification.

Questions may be directed to plugfests@firaconsortium.com.