[OSGeo-Discuss] [OSGeo-Conf] FOSS4G

[Jonathan Moules]

Hi List,
     There has been some interesting discussion in this thread about how 
other conferences run, and comparisons between them and the 
professional/volunteer perspective.

     I find the cost comparison between OSM Brussels and FOSS4G quite 
striking. The OSM Brussels conference "professional" cost of €180 all 
inclusive for three days as highlighted by Benoît, is only a smidge 
higher than the just-the-food portion of an early-bird FOSS4G ticket (€150).

     Steven's created an excellent summary of assumptions that should 
possibly be assessed.
     I think another question is - what's the primary purpose of the 
event and who is its audience? To fund OSGeo? To facilitate 
collaboration on FOSS4G software? Something else?
     And given the purpose, would regional events be able to achieve it 
as effectively? I'm not convinced the smaller events facilitate 
collaboration to the same degree. They also don't bring together the 
same sorts of numbers (of delegates or projects) for code-sprints.
     I believe regional events certainly have value, but they don't seem 
to have all that much overlap with the roving flagship international 
conference, at least, not for the developer-delegates. User-delegates 
however probably don't care which they go to.

     Another thought - as FOSS4G moves around, why subsidise delegate 
travel, at least beyond the continent (I don't know if this is done 
currently)? A better use of limited grant funds for a delegate in say 
North America may be to wait for 2017's offering, and award the grant 
then, rather than funding a trans-Atlantic flight.

     Just another 2p of thoughts.
     Cheers,
     Jonathan


On 24/05/2016 11:38, Benoit Fournier wrote:
> Hi Johan and all,
>
> I have been involved or simply attended a few conferences, in
> particular OSGeo-FOSS4G France/Europe/World and OSM-SotM France/World.
> I would like to comment on the cost and comparison of the different events.
>
> TL;DR: I feel like FOSSDEM and State of the Map are in the same
> category, "volunteer/community event". FOSS4G is not.
>
> More inline.
>
>
>> Some of the other reasons that FOSDEM can be organised for free may
>> nevertheless apply to FOSS4G:
>> 1) It is held in a weekend. [...]
>> 2) There is a large crew of volunteers at FOSDEM. [...]
>> 3) Food. Food is not supplied by the organisation. [...]
>>
>> Anyway, OpenStreetMap is hosting state of the map this year in Brussels.
>> [...]
>> prices: 75 euro (early bird rate) for "community members" and a
>> regular ticket of 180 euro (early bird, ending today - grab one if you
>> intend to go!).
> (early bird is not closed yet, but do grab one anyway!)
> (and look for local FOSS4G event in Brussels too...)
>
> A few reminders if I may, to compare the costs from the point of view
> of an attendee:
> FOSDEM: event for ~5000 ; 2 days ; no food included [0 EUR]
> SotM-local France: event for ~200 ; 3 days + lunches and drinks [10 EUR]
> SotM-global Brussels: event for ~500 ; 3 days&hackday + lunches and
> drinks + 1 social evening event dinner [0 EUR scholarship / 75 EUR
> community / 180 EUR professional]
>
> Considering food and dinner (included or not), I very much feel these
> events are in the (same) 'ballpark', that is to say with comparable
> cost and quite easily accessible to community members.
>
>
> FOSS4G is different, a more professional conference, or with less
> support from sponsors.
> FOSS4G-global: event for ~500+ ; 3 days&hackday + lunches and drinks +
> Ice Breaker + Gala Event with dinner [590 EUR, what about
> grant/scholarship?]
>
>
>> I should note that 75 euro still is a threshold even for some of the
>> Belgian contributors of OpenStreetMap to join, something to consider
>> in a world where hourly rates often exceed that.
> Very true, community contributors in OpenStreetMap are not professionals.
> Because of that and following early feedback about the "high price 75
> EUR", even with food included for everyone, SotM propose also ways to
> get in for free (scholar/volunteer).
>
> Free food for thought.
> Happy to discuss this further if you want a half-internal,
> half-external point of view.
>
> Best regards
>
> Benoît
> OpenStreetMap France, OSGeo-FR
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