[OSGeo-Conf] 2011 Discussion

[Daniel Morissette]

I don't have a vote but just wanted to add that I like Gavin's 
suggestions for handling/branding the regional events in parallel with 
the international one.

I'd add one rule to the <regional conference policy>: In order to get 
OSGeo support, the date of the local conference should be at least 4 
months away from the international FOSS4G. This is so that people who 
want to attend both can do so more easily.

Daniel


Gavin Fleming wrote:
> I vote for [A]
> 
> Some comments that I guess should have gone onto the wiki a while ago:
> 
> The annual international conference is the flagship and has a unique
> role including taking the message global and being the main meeting of
> the tribes. The interaction of the core 'FOSS4G heads' that follow it
> every year no matter where and the regional folk who are close enough to
> attend, keeps it fresh, interesting and full of pleasant surprises. So
> it's important to keep that going with all OSGeo's weight behind it. 
> 
> Definitely include the expression of interest phase. I like the idea of
> a NA-Europe-Other rotation but as a philosophy only. So, state it up
> front in the RFP but if no EOIs come from the intended region or a
> really compelling one comes from another region, be open to variations.
> Let the EOI process reveal our implicit biases if you will. 
> 
> As a special case for 2011 (and possibly beyond), I think it would be
> only fair to invite previously unsuccessful yet high quality contenders
> to submit EOIs. If they're then invited to do a full bid most of the
> homework is done. 
> 
> Definitely encourage and support regional or language-based conferences,
> i.e. following the pattern of the Local Chapters. I think OSGeo needs to
> develop a policy somewhat like this: 
> 
> <regional conference policy>
> 
> OSGeo will endorse and support one conference per year per local
> chapter, to be called 'FOSS4G <local chapter name> <year>' and be
> considered an official OSGeo event, bearing the OSGeo logo, etc. 
> 
> One exception: The country that is hosting the International FOSS4G
> conference won't qualify for any official regional FOSS4G conferences in
> the same year.
> 
> It is completely up to the local chapters to make these events happen if
> they so wish.
> 
> The conference has to meet these simple criteria:
> <list of simple conditions tbd>
> 
> OSGeo will provide support in the form of ....
> 
> OSGeo may choose to send a member of the conference committee.
> 
> The conference must be advertised widely and be open to anyone (i.e. not
> restricted to the Local Chapter).
> 
> Existing regional conferences with different names (e.g. German FOSSGIS
> and Italian GFOSS?) can get the regional OSGeo FOSS4G stamp if they or
> the local chapter so wish and they meet the criteria.  
> 
> </regional conference policy>
> 
> General comments:
> Define what is meant by OSGeo support at regional and international
> levels and be consistent with that. E.g. the RFP stated that OSGeo would
> provide bridging funds yet we could not access these for 2008 and would
> not have managed our cash flow without the local support of GISSA. And
> what other forms of support are available or envisaged? Website, wiki
> etc. 
> 
> Tighten up the RFP and make the EOI and final selection processes more
> transparent.
> 
> Make a decision about conference website hosting and software and stick
> with it and support it wholeheartedly. I feel 2008 was a bit of guinea
> pig with OCS and it seems like 2009 has moved to yet another home grown
> solution(s), which makes our aim of consistency and guranteed long term
> availability of conference outputs difficult. 
> 
> Move the RFP process even earlier again so we have AT LEAST two years
> lead time for the international FOSS4G and set a few milestones to
> ensure the LOC is on track an using that time properly, such as budget
> approval, securing sponsorship, etc.
> 
> Consider alternatives (such as the second-in-line bidder) as a
> contingency if the winner doesn't meet major deadlines or suffers a
> disaster. A real-life example is the last minute move of the massive
> Indian Cricket IPL (http://www.iplt20.com) to South Africa with three
> weeks notice (The decision was made on 23 March and it's starting on
> Saturday) because it clashed with Indian elections.  
> 
> Gavin 
>  
>  
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-- 
Daniel Morissette
http://www.mapgears.com/