[OSGeo-Discuss] sponsor benefits

[Jody Garnett]

Thanks to those who participated in OSGeo sponsors chat this morning, here
are some notes for the email list.

I would like to highlight two common themes:

The organizations represented in the meeting already very generous with
their time and resources (even before it comes to question of
sponsorship).  We need to reach out to new organizations that are
benefiting from the work we do at OSGeo and are not engaging as part of our
community.

There is lots that can be done for sponsors, beyond placing sponsor logos
on a website. This is something I would ask us all to work on (foss4g
global, regional events, projects and our foundation as a whole).

Here are those notes....
--
Jody Garnett


Attending:

   - Anthony Calamito (Boundless)
   - Jody Garnett (OSGeo Board)
   - Simone Giannecchini(GeoSolutions) -
   - Regina Obe (Pargagon Corporation / FOSS4G Boston)
   - Michael Smith (OSGeo Board / Treasurer)
   - Guido Stein (FOSS4G Boston)
   - Jeroen Ticheler (GeoCat)
   - Angelos Tzotsos (OSGeo)

1) Introductions


2) Review of what OSGeo currently offers sponsors:

   - Sponsorship 2017
   <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kvlIENiZ3REL6mOhAUuL5UvxfSUJPEcnWERWKfxJTvE/edit?usp=drive_web>
   - http://www.osgeo.org/node/1755

3) Ideas and Feedback


*Simone (GeoSolutions)*


Reaching out for sponsors is fine, by why approach the companies on this
call, each of which already support OSGeo (often directly contributing
time).


Q: Where are the organizations those who profit from this?


Feedback on sponsoring local events, often they just want to accept money
and have no futher contact/engagement with sponsors.  Example of sponsoring
a local (Italian?) event not considering a GeoServer talk as the project is
already too famous...


*This is a difficult feedback to address as we do not directly
control/influence events put on by local chapters. I would kind of be
content for these events to be avoided by sponsors if they cannot be
bothered to provide value.*


*Anthony (Boundless)*


Asking OSGeo Sponsorship to look "beyond providing a logo on the website".
Look for more opportunities for visibility and promotion.

   - More press releases (not only the joint press release offered to gold
   / platinum sponsors).
   - Co-branding activities and announcements.

The UN OpenGIS initiative was used as an example; something that both OSGeo
and Boundless is supporting and can benefit from cross promotion.

   - *Maria is our best contact here, we will need to reach out and explore
   what can be done.*
   - *GeoServer is an example of a project that handles cross promotion.
   Releases of GeoSever take care to link to external blog posts highlighting
   RnD that went into each release. When new features have been added based on
   consulting or customer work care is taken to thank the organizations
   responsible in the release announcement.*

Help sponsors to meet customers:

   - FOSS4G networking event?
   - OSGeo booth should point people towards sponsor booths as appropriate

*Jeroen (GeoSolutions)*


Room to improve as new website is created, currently sponsorship is pretty
much limited to logo on the sponsors page (two or three pages in),
occasionally rotated into feature sponsor position.


At OSGeo events take care to promote sponsors. Example at the OSGeo booth
have a sheet on the sponsors available on the table.


*Breakout on Ideas*


Networking Social. Guido took up this idea with respect to the FOSS4G 2017
Boston event.

   - Apparently a B2B event is planned, and care can be taken to highlight
   (or lead) with sponsors at this event.
   - B2B event "Ignite" presentation sessions
   - Highlight OSGeo and Event sponsors
   - Someone (president? foss4g loc?) should get up and thank sponsors
   during this event

Website

   - highlights support providers (focused on contributors such as GeoCat,
   GeoSolutions and Boundless)
   - improve the visibility of sponsors

Marketing:

   - blogs - user focused, what is the art of the possible
   - videos -
   - promote beyond open source boundaries (gis anaysists, etc...)
   - having a presense at difference conferences
      - guido looking at booth swap conversation with other events
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