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

[Cameron Shorter]

Markus, thanks for raising this question, I've found it quite thought 
provoking.

Echoing Paul and Dave's comments, geeks and managers have a symbiotic 
relationship, and benefit greatly by being at the same conference 
together. However, I can see a strong argument for having separate 
technical and management streams within the same conference. (I'm making 
mental note for 2009).

I also like the idea of having regional mini-FOSS4G conferences, 6 
months apart from the main FOSS4G. These mini events will probably be 
better marketed a workshop. Again, I'm basing this on Paul's idea about 
OSGeo workshops from while back).

Dave McIlhagga wrote:
> 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
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Conference_dev mailing list
>>> Conference_dev at lists.osgeo.org
>>> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/conference_dev
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>


-- 
Cameron Shorter
Geospatial Systems Architect
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