[Board] Putting the focus back in

[Shin, Sanghee]

Hi all, 

I would like to express my thoughts on how to make FOSS4G 2012 successful internationally and how to help FOSS4G 2012 LOC. 

1. At least 10 renowned persons like Arnulf Christl, Paul Ramsey, Frank Wamerdam, Markus Netler, Jeff McKenna or other projects, community leaders(let's say OSGeo leaders) need to make presence there in Beijing during FOSS4G 2012. They need to make presentations, lead workshops and even keynote speech as well. When I recall my experiences in previous FOSS4G conference with my OSGeo Korean chapter members, my Korean members usually attended FOSS4G conference because to see, hear from or talk with those OSGeo leaders directly. So, OSGeo leaders presence would be very crucial to the success of FOSS4G 2012. This situation will not different from other country's. 

Hey guys!! I know many of OSGeo leaders already earmarked budget & schedule for FOSS4G 2012. So, please submit your applications on presentations and workshops through to FOSS4G 2012 website. I'll also apply too. OSGeo leaders presence will make FOSS4G 2012 successful *INTERNATIONAL* conference. 

2. Based on the previous FOSS4G event attendee statistics, around 70% attendees are from host country, neighboring countries or the same continent. So we need to encourage local chapters around China or in Asia to attend FOSS4G 2012. We have OSGeo Korea, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia(now forming), India, Thai, Indonesia and Vietnam chapter in Asia. So we need to leverage this chapters to make successful FOSS4G 2012. 

Since Bejing is very close city from Korea, many Korean members already showed much interest in attending there. Korean chapter is now promoting FOSS4G 2012 actively around geospatial society, universities, labs and government. I hope our active promotion and close distance to Beijing lead to more attendees than previous. 

And I believe Japan chapter - the strongest and largest chapter in Asia -  will also bring many attendees to Beijing, since I discussed this possibilities with Japan chapter members last year. 

OSGeo Asian chapter members can also discuss the formation of FOSS4G Asia in Beijing. I slightly discussed the possibility of formation of OSGeo Asia or FOSS4G Asia with Venka when I visited Japan last year. 

3. In my opinion, unlike our hell-like discussions on FOSS4G 2012 progress, most of potential attendees are not aware of what's going on in Beijing. If my memory doesn't fail me, around 2/3 attendees of Denver conference are new comers. So we don't need to think about progress of FOSS4G 2012 too negatively. We have still time to make up for and revert FOSS4G 2012 to successful international conference. 

We can do above things without communication with FOSS4G LOC. 

Let's help LOC and ourself by doing our own jobs!!

regards, 

Sanghee

2012. 5. 27., 오전 3:05, Seven (aka Arnulf) 작성:

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> Folks,
> to concentrate on the important stuff I suggest that all discussion
> pertinent to supporting FOSS4G be on that list and that we stop to
> cross post as hell:
> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/foss4g2012
> 
> Instead of suggesting that "we" (the board?) should do something
> (what?) please become active yourself. Feel free to promote FOSS4G
> 2012 wherever you can, apply as a sponsor, suggest keynoters, fix the
> web site, add the presentation submission link, workshop submission
> link and so on. There is - as you all know - loads to do. The Beijing
> Local Team is reading this list and will advise you what to do and where.
> 
> Neither me nor anyone else has the intention of "downgrading" FOSS4G,
> this is silly. The board rather tries to "upgrade" it but so far
> apparently to no avail.
> 
> Instead of pursuing some kind of official note to help me answer all
> mails and questions about FOSS4G in Beijing please help me answer
> them. What are we to tell potential sponsors, exhibitors and attendees
> when they ask:
> 
> * How many attendees will come and from where?
> * Is it going to be an international conference?
> * Will all presentation tracks be in English?
> * When will we be able to submit presentations?
> * What is the selection process for presentations?
> * What workshops will be given, does it make sense to send some
> employees to learn stuff?
> * Which Open Source companies will exhibit?
> * Which OSGeo projects will be present?
> * Why are there no international sponsors or exhibitors listed?
> 
> There are more but these are a good start.
> 
> Thank you for your kind support.
> 
> Best regards,
> Arnulf.
> 
> - -- 
> Exploring Space, Time and Mind
> http://arnulf.us
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