A new name and some new imagery in 2020?

I think that, seven or eight years in, it's perhaps a bit late to change the name, especially without solid evidence that it puts people off who are not already involved. The expansion of the event in the last few years and the general confidence that we can easily expand membership numbers to 650 in 2020 makes me doubt that claim.

I think the different names reflect the culture and character of each Burn. Burning Seed is about growing something from nothing, which suits the arid, remote environment it is in, and refers to nature, which I think is particularly important. Borderland reflects the cross-border nature of that Burn, which represents Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Nowhere reflects the remote, desert-like setting of that Burn, the emptiness of the place. Mid-Burn comes from the Hebrew word for "desert", which is a bit too literal for my liking ;)

And Burns evoking a sense of "home" is pretty common. People regularly refer to Black Rock City as "home", and I've heard the same at other Burns. But the point is that it can be home to anyone.

For me, especially on our new site (where we intend to be for a while, I believe), Burning Nest is a perfect name. It suggests a home made from scraps and bits and pieces. It suggests family and a sense of comfort and warmth. The event itself is now "nestled" in a valley, tucked away out of site between the trees. And if "Nest" sounds too comfortable and homely for people, then it has the word "Burning" in front of it. :)

If you ask anyone who knows me, I am very much not a hippie. But for me, Nest is pleasantly evocative of nature, home and reclamation, which are all things that a Burn does and should signify to me, especially as we increase our understanding of our environmental impact and take serious steps to minimise it.

I don't know about any other UK Burns, except for Microburn, which involves a lot of the same people as Nest.

Personally, I think that when it comes to inclusion, the most pressing issue to investigate and address relates to racial, cultural and class inclusion, rather than any issue around branding.

That's my two (or twenty) cents.

good cents and i fully considered the growth we experience with the current name. But as you point out, racial, cultural and class inclusion need to be addressed, and things that fit for you or me many not for others.

imagery could at least be addressed?

Well, I guess we could address the name and imagery in any research we do into obstacles to inclusion. We're never going to find something that appeals equally to everyone, obviously.

I don't especially mind the imagery. The only consistent imagery is the logo, featuring a dragon in an egg. I think that makes sense to me (eggs + nests; dragons + fire; dragons being an English emblem).

I'm interested to hear what others think, though.

I think the person who made the mushroom image was just trying to go with this year's theme? Last year we had lots of starry sky images to go with the theme.

I would agree that it's too late to go about changing the name. And I think it's a great thing that each burn is unique and develops its own path. We don't all have to be the same, in fact isn't it better if we're all a bit different, otherwise why go to different regional events at all? Personally I love the name. It's simple and evokes a cosy atmosphere, which suits Nest. I find it surprising that the word "nest" would alienate anybody from coming? I've heard people complain about nearly every Euro regional as being 'too hippy' but perhaps that's just a reflection of the culture here? It's not the USA. The only other regional in the UK, Microburn, is definitely not any less 'hippy' than us (whatever that even means here?) It's a do-ocracy - if you think it's missing anything, bring it!

Agree with everything Graeme has said above. As the person who made the mushroom FB header, I used this image to tie into the “primordial wonderland” theme, of things growing in moss and deep woodland. It has been mentioned that we don’t have much of a unified theme with regards to branding this year, but it’s something I’m going to bear in mind for next year.
Personally I would be sad if the name or the dragon logo changed - I really love it, and I think it’s been around a few years?

"I've even heard rumour there's another set of burners who have another UK festival as ours is a bit hippy". False rumour. As Graeme says, a lot of MicroBurn attendants (and organisers) come to NEST.
I'm reminded of trying to find a band or company name, where your colleagues/band members come up with loads of objections for every name you submit, but NEVER offer anything themselves. And after the initial launch it doesn't matter, because if it's a success the name becomes the brand. If it's a failure, everyone remembers the name and it's not used for a generation.

maybe they re just jealous or always miss the timing and cannot even get a ticket anymore (wouhou sold out!!) I like Nest, especially with the new (and official for longs years) site.
Also if people want to diss a name, they will succeed whatever we do about it, the only event in my mind who s changing name everytime is the swiss burn which to be honest make it really annoying to look for on internet but else what about "creme brulée" the event is named after a dessert, looks like a private joke but is inclusive too.
After the inclusion things is totally different, we have this convo every year, the facr is the event doesn t do any preferential treatment to anyone, every body can come to Nest, the door are ajar after i don t know if it is a communication thing but if anyone whatver color, religion, gender, ... is interested, he will find about us and come, it s true that the average audience is a white person, with a middle class background but because burning man is a middle class white things.
If you think you don t see enough diversity, just talk around about it with other ethnicity, class, .... and let them come but like said in the previous year, the organization have quite a lot in their plate to speak about this not-really-a-problem.
Actually if an affort shoudl be made to include people, we should focus on the neighbours first, convince this rustic english old population that we re nice and even if more colorful and excentric, we re not a bunch of hippies on drugs (at last not outside the site)
NB : the hellfest (metal festival) got a terrible relation with the village it is at first but when the elder realize that 30 year old scandinavian dressed in black leather and spike are gentlemen enough to carry their shopping bags to their car, they loved the event and their love is always actual nowadays.
sorry i m in a rush i can develop some point i said later on

Ditto what they ^{^} said :) Also - we're not a company trying to market ourselves to a broader audience. If our community grows, wonderful - all the more friends with shared values. But there's no reason it has to.

this part on not marketing our selves I'd have to disagree with.
1. "radical inclusion" is about pushing our community out there to try and help change the perspective of the world. 2. We will have to get bigger in step changes of size to grow due to the costs.

But I think people are at risk of taking a general topic post about branding in the following years quite personally about 2019.