[OSGeo-Conf] Two parallel conferences proposal: OSGeo-tech and OSGeo-Biz

[Dave McIlhagga]

Having put one of these on as well -- I'd have to agree with Paul on  
this one.

Dave


On 2-Oct-08, at 11:44 AM, Paul Ramsey wrote:

> I don't really agree, though I hope we have a proper attendee survey
> this year so we can bear out my general feeling (if not, 2009, I *beg*
> of you, a survey that asks job titles, number of reports, budgetary
> responsibility, etc, if you like, I'll even write one with cheeky good
> humor to make the medicine go down easy).
>
> The idea that there is a market for an "OSGeo-Biz" separate from the
> technical conference I find hard to entertain. Certainly, the *look*
> of FOSS4G attendees indicates we skew heavily technical, even if many
> of the technical people are new to FOSS and are there to learn. For
> those of you present in 2007, remember the show of hands for Damian's
> "who where is a geek?" question.
>
> The energy that makes FOSS4G to appealing to folks (and it is
> universally mentioned by folks I talk to who have been to other
> industry conferences) derives heavily from the geek presence.
>
> I think our presentation *tracks* could be better marked, probably
> 2008 did better than we did (?) at separating business from technical
> content, so people get what they want when they go to a presentation.
>
> But I don't see the demand for a "no technical stuff please, we're all
> just managers" conference, I really don't.
>
> P.
>
> On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 8:23 AM, Markus Neteler <neteler at osgeo.org>  
> wrote:
>> We just enjoyed a great conference in South Africa...!
>> It was great to meet all those being present there and some
>> virtually - thanks for the hard work!
>>
>> <idea>
>> Thinking about future conferences, after speaking to a couple
>> of people, I wondered it the following proposal makes sense:
>>
>> Have two conferences in parallel, in different continents with
>> - one being low cost, hacker oriented, maybe at a university,
>> - one being more costly, business oriented, in a conference
>> center.
>>
>> This may accommodate probably better the needs of these
>> two groups. While I like the mixture, it probably no longer
>> scales with growing number of participants.
>>
>> I know that a number of people would like to do more coding.
>> They will be happy with pizza and such.
>> Business and sponsors would be probably happy to see more
>> customers passing by to actually create more OSGeo business
>> cases.
>>
>> Having two conferences in parallel and moving these around the
>> globe brings each of them "close" to you every second year.
>> Additionally, OSGeo-Biz could more easily generate money
>> for the local team and OSGeo (think cross financing, too, fly
>> in good speakers and so forth).
>> </idea>
>>
>> Well, just my private idea for 2010+ conferences,
>>
>> Markus
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