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

[Dave McIlhagga]

We did run a split stream for more business related activities at the  
event we ran in Ottawa and the next mapserver user meeting in  
Minnesota -- and I think it was a really good format. I'd encourage  
you to give it a try in Australia.

Dave

On 2-Oct-08, at 4:17 PM, Cameron Shorter wrote:

> 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
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/conference_dev
>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>
>
> -- 
> Cameron Shorter
> Geospatial Systems Architect
> Tel: +61 (0)2 8570 5050
> Mob: +61 (0)419 142 254
>
> Think Globally, Fix Locally
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