[Aust-NZ] Format questions for 2009 conference

[Cameron Shorter]

In Sydney we are currently putting together a budget for a 2009 
conference and would like feedback on Conference length, and relying on 
participants having laptops.

We are basing our bid largely upon information we have gleaned from the 
2007 conference.

So our suggested agenda is:
4 days conference, including 1 day worth of workshops.
1 extra day for a code sprint, which will be conducted as a low key 
afair. (Lunch, internet connection and office space provided) Possible 
nominal fee for attending code sprint - say $40 to ensure we only get 
people who are interested and don't have to buy lunch for hangers on.

1. For our workshops, we are proposing that participants bring their own 
laptops. (We can set up a laptop hire program for those who don't have 
one). This will reduce our computer costs and risks.
We are making a bet that an OSGeo live CD will be available by 2009 and 
using your own computer should be a realistic option with minimal fuss. 
Any objections?

2. Is 4 days, including workshops long enough? We considered a 5 day 
conference, but have heard that 5 days is longer than the majority of 
conferences. Non-core SW developers (which will be a large proportion of 
the attendees) might not last 5 days. Also, 5 days is 20 to 25% more 
expensive. (We note that attendees seem to be price sensitive, based on 
accommodation booked).

3. We are focusing our spending on "value" items instead of "fluff". Eg, 
use B&W programs rather than glossies, and not provide things like satchels.
 
Responses by today will be included in our thinking. Later responses 
might miss our deadlines.

-- 
Cameron Shorter
Geospatial Systems Architect
Tel: +61 (0)2 8570 5050
Mob: +61 (0)419 142 254

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