[OSGeo-Discuss] [OSGeo-Conf] Announcement: Call for Location global FOSS4G 2023

[Jonathan Moules]

Hi Vasile,

 > 2021 was the proof that a successful FOSS4G can be organized in 
virtual form as well.

Which is great to hear!

But in that case, the following statements raises a question

 > we really hope that FOSS4G2023 can be safely organized in physical 
format.

Why? If it can be held in a virtual format then surely that's better 
than an in-person event? Online is more accessible, cheaper, and the 
massive environmental impact of several hundred people flying to an 
arbitrary point on the globe to watch/participate in something that can 
be done online doesn't seem warranted if, as you say, it works well in a 
virtual form.

I appreciate that someone is going to say "in-person is better for 
networking opportunities", but has anyone ever actually quantified these 
nebulous benefits? For any conference, doesn't even have to just be 
FOSS4G? Or is it merely a rationalisation? A quick literature search 
(not my area) suggests there's very little work been done in this area, 
and even less to objectively quantify the outcomes.

Now is a good opportunity to re-evaluate the need for it to be in-person 
given the evident success of 2021's online event.


It strikes me that online has numerous advantages:

* Cheaper to attend

* Cheaper to organise

* Easier to organise (? a supposition)

* Open to many more delegates (several billion)

* Open to many more disadvantaged delegates

* Much lower environmental impact


Whereas the benefits for the in-person are:

* More money for OSGeo

* More networking opportunities

* (Personal level) A work paid for junket

It is true that some of the online benefits can be transferred to an 
in-person event by filming/streaming as FOSS4G does, but that doesn't 
obviate the very real environmental costs.

Seems like something worth discussing,

Cheers,

Jonathan


On 2022-01-12 12:57, Vasile Craciunescu wrote:
> Dear OSGeo/FOSS4G Community,
>
> Although the fight against COVID-19 is not over yet, we need to think 
> and act to keep the FOSS4G spirit alive and to have our beloved global 
> conference hosted in 2023. That's why OSGeo's Conference Committee is 
> happy to announce that the call for location for the
>
> "Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial Conference 2023"
>
> is open. This year we accept bids from any region of the globe. 2021 
> was the proof that a successful FOSS4G can be organized in virtual 
> form as well. With the mankind understanding more and more about the 
> coronavirus, we really hope that FOSS4G2023 can be safely organized in 
> physical format. And OSGeo is committed to stand by the hard working 
> LOCs to provide all the needed support.
>
> Please find all details on our wiki page [1]. In case that you have any
> questions, don't hesitate to ask the Conference Committee [2]!
>
>
> May the FOSS4G be with everyone,
>
> Vasile & Msilikale, on behalf of OSGeo's Conference Committee
>
>
>
> [1] https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G_2023_Bid_Process
>
> [2] https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Conference_Committee
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