Thanks for raising this — it’s a great moment to start planning.
In general, we see a natural division of roles when it comes to conferences like DevCon. The Arbitrum Foundation and Offchain Labs have consistently organised large side events and branded experiences around major gatherings. These are usually directed at the broader Ethereum and Web3 public, with the goal of growing awareness for the Arbitrum ecosystem. Because they already have the marketing firepower, vendor relationships, and experience to deliver at scale, it seems most effective to let them continue leading on this front. Delegating the flagship, public-facing activations to the Foundation and Offchain Labs avoids duplication and ensures the highest impact.
At the same time, there is plenty of room for the DAO to add value by coordinating the smaller, community-focused activities that give our contributors and delegates a chance to connect. These don’t require heavy logistics and can be pulled together on shorter notice. Past examples include the delegates’ dinner and the Arbitrum morning run, both of which brought people together in an informal but memorable way. Given the timeline, we’re perfectly on track for those types of activities. It may also be worth reaching out to @Tekr0x.eth , who did a great job coordinating these at EthCC and could share best practices.