Most of this has already been said by others but I'll add my 2 cents anyway. At OT15 (you were there, Brigitt) someone put up a session on "structure....." I was intrigued so I went. He couldn't picture how the Open Space format could work in a business setting, and wanted an answer to this. His title was cryptic and of the 8 or so that came to his session, none had ever led an Open Space event or been to one in a business setting. I had recently been to the training and talked about Day 3, and some of the stories I had heard from Harrison of his business applications. I believe the individual was unconvinced and I had the impression that he left soon after. Someone else in this session was very angry over how the event was going and stated he was thinking of leaving - I saw him later and he had gotten over it and was enjoying himself.
It seems to me some will be turned off when Open Space is done in its true spirit as well as when it is modified. As Harrison would say, "whatever happens, is the only thing that could have happened." I applaud your effort to influence and reshape the lunchtime "Open Space." We should all do this when the opportunity presents itself. But to try to control the use/description of an approach based on giving up control feels like a contradiction to me. As always, you keep this list alive for me, Bob -- Bob Lee EDGE Consulting, Inc. explore . discover . generate . emerge Ann Arbor, MI (734) 761-4403