[OSGeo-Conf] My comments and thoughts on the 2011 proposal

[Jeff McKenna]

Denver LOC,

Thanks for again submitting to host the FOSS4G event.  I have mostly 
some general comments, and I will place them in point form:

- I do like the additional focus on 'newcomers' and 'managers'

- I attended the GITA international event in Denver in 2005, so I 
realize how active the community is there

- To expand FOSS4G to the masses I realize that additional categories 
for sessions like "ESRI users", "newcomers" and "managers" is a good idea

- I like that you state that the LOC will be made up of one OSGeo Board 
member.  In fact I would like to at least 2 OSGeo officers be part of 
the committee: an OSGeo board member, and also myself as the OSGeo 
Conference Chair.  As you mentioned, we would be there only to provide 
advice through your process.

- I like that you will provide specific focus on open data (indeed your 
LOC members are at the forefront of this).  In my mind, I'd like to see 
the OSM and FOSS4G communities participate in a joined event someday 
(like Schuyler said, one is no good without the other).

- from traveling I know how difficult it can be to get an entry VISA for 
certain countries.  Is the LOC ready to handle a large volume of 
invitation letters and VISA related document requests from potential 
attendees?

- the past U.S. Government participation in FOSS4G and the current 
Administration initiatives are a big plus and I'm glad that you 
referenced that

- FOSS4G workshops have always included a workstation with software 
installed and ready.  It is a trusted selling feature for our FOSS4G 
event and I don't want to get away from this successful recipe.  Will 
the LOC consider renting machines for the workshops?

- With workshops in demand, we should be charging more than $100, and 
this extra cost can cover the rental machines

- I do not see a mention of a student rate for the conference fee.  To 
me students are the future (and our topics are always more understood by 
the younger generations anyway)

- I think I see a program with 1 day of workshops, 2.5 days of talks, 
and possibly 3 days of code sprints.  Wow.  As someone mentioned, I 
could see 1 or 1.5 days of workshops, 3.5-4 days of talks, and then 1 
day of code sprint (trust me, by the time you get to a code sprint we 
all have only a little bit of energy left).


Those are my thoughts on the proposal.  You've put together an excellent 
team!

-jeff