[Aust-NZ] RE: Looking for value in cutting conference costs (plain text this time)

[Simon O'Keefe]

Hi All,

After just having done my bookkeeping for the last six months, I've
calculated that the total cost of my attending last year's FOSS4G2007 in
Canada came in at just over AU$4500. This includes airfares,
accommodation, conference fees, meals and other travel - anything I
collected receipts for. The total amount I spent on my trip would be
even more than that if I include costs for sightseeing, drinks and
souvenirs for my homesick Canadian wife.

I imagine anyone attending an Australian 2009 conference from overseas
would be similarly looking at spending between $3000 to $5000, depending
mostly on length of stay, availability of cheap airfares, quality of
accommodation, and entertainment budget.

All the things that the FOSS4G2007 conference organisers might have been
tempted to cut corners on would not have made any difference to the
great value that I believe I got out of that conference.

When you're thinking of cutting costs, and trying to shave that extra
$100 or so, keep in mind that that is a tiny percentage of the overall
investment that attendees will make to get here.

I love my FOSS4G2007 t-shirt and glossy programme.

Cheers,

Simon
__________________________________
Simon O'Keefe
GIS & Mapping Specialist
Groundtruth Mapping Systems
mobile: 0409 413 890
office: 03 9017 6850
email:  sok at groundtruth.com.au
web:    www.groundtruth.com.au
__________________________________