<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
Raleigh has been shortlisted for the 2016 FOSS4GNA Conference with
several other cities. <br>
<br>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
<i>Hi Everyone,</i>
<div><i><br>
</i></div>
<div><i>We are starting to shift into the decision making phase for
FOSS4G NA 2016. To do so, I will be providing data to the
committee to scrutinize, discuss, and ultimately make a
decision. For what it's worth, we are pressed for time as venues
are literally booking up as we talk to them.</i></div>
<div><i><br>
</i></div>
<div><i>A number of key variables were factored. Here are just some
(in no particular order) to give you a rough sense:</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><i>The size of the space</i><i><br>
</i></li>
<li><i>The layout of the space (nice flow, not scattered far
apart)</i><i><br>
</i></li>
<li><i>The dates the space is available</i><i><br>
</i></li>
<li><i>Nearby points of interest</i><i><br>
</i></li>
<li><i>Airport links nearby</i><i><br>
</i></li>
<li><i>The local/regional community</i><i><br>
</i></li>
<li><i>Wifi, Food & Beverage, and other costs + terms</i><i><br>
</i></li>
<li><i>Hotel room prices & nearby accommodations</i><i><br>
</i></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div><i>Factoring them, a picture of a short list has emerged. In my
opinion, it is likely going to be between:</i><i><br>
</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><i>D.C. (Reston specifically)</i><i><br>
</i></li>
<li><i>Philly</i><i><br>
</i></li>
<li><i>Austin</i><i><br>
</i></li>
<li><i>Raleigh</i><i><br>
</i></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div><i>It is going to be a horrendously tough decision. I am really
impressed by the active community in each of the cities. Each
venue is quite nice. Each of these cities would host an
outstanding conference.</i></div>
<div><i><br>
</i></div>
<div><i>The committee will be making the decision. They will provide
abridged minutes after they decide to communicate their
decision, however their discussion itself will not be public so
they can hash things out.</i><i><br>
</i></div>
<div><i><br>
</i></div>
<div><i>Building on the past conversations, I can assure everyone
that there will be strong local representation in the team. And
please do reach out if you're interested in being part of the
team for specific cities, or any city.</i></div>
<div><i><br>
</i></div>
<div><i>One thing I also want to note... that venues are booking up
every day. We'll have to move quickly to be able to contract the
choice the committee makes before it books.</i></div>
<div><i><br>
</i></div>
<div><i>Please do share your thoughts about these cities. Thanks!</i></div>
<div><i><br>
</i></div>
<div><i>Andrew</i></div>
<br>
</body>
</html>