[kwlug-disc] Linux Conference

Sat Jun 6 15:15:08 EDT 2015

I agree that events in major cities have a wider audience and that K/W,
despite its tech reputation, may not have a wider appeal. So, for an event
that is for Toronto to London, it may be OK. But for wider appeal (Western
New York, Ottawa, Montreal, ...etc.) I don't think K/W will be as
attractive.

One of the problems of organizing an event and make it sustained over the
years is stamina and burnout.

If the event depends on a limited number of volunteers, then life happens
and the core group of volunteers disperse (getting married, retiring,
moving to a different city/country, having kids, changing jobs, shifting to
other interests, ...etc)

Organizing an event is a lot of effort, and like Paul said, one person
doing it is an overburden. For sanity's sake, and sustainability, there has
to be a group of them.

The venue is the key, and then the date (avoid summer, people want to go
outdoors). If you get a free venue, then other costs are minimal and
perhaps donations or a small entry fee can maintain the event, so no need
to have sponsors.

There is also the issue of which legal entity will collect the money and
spend it. Collecting money without having such an entity can mean trouble
with the CRA (or whatever their name is now). If it is all in kind (venue,
A/V, volunteer effort, ...etc.) then it is less off an issue. Some
companies agree to front end such activities on behalf of the event. In
other cases, an entity can be formed, but then you have to apply to the CRA
for charitable status, and have a volunteer file financials every year (or
hire someone to do it).

For the sake of simplicity and testing the waters, plan on organizing the
event for free with a free venue sponsor, or a low attendance fee. Then
based on what happens you plan for next years.

On Sat, Jun 6, 2015 at 1:18 PM, B. S. <bs27975 at yahoo.ca> wrote:

> >I do think that, given the tech community here, that KW is an ideal spot
> for such an undertaking.
>
>
> Evidently not, or OnLinux would have been here and ongoing today. That it
> wasn't I expect to be for very good reason, given the savvy of the
> organizers.
>
> Toronto being a transportation hub, and OnLinux not continuing despite
> being located there, should speak volumes. Aside from venue location, that
> there were insufficient sponsors for the event to at least break even in an
> alternate location, I'm guessing, speaks to the community's willingness to
> part with $ to gather.
>
> That may well be different today, given the prevalence of apps / local
> 'small' startups, but we're back to know your audience(s) and your
> market(s), as I said earlier. (Academic vs non-). Whether there's enough to
> make an event viable, I have no idea. See digimer's comment about small
> starts and growing.
>
> I gather, per this list, Ohio Linux is popular - it would be interesting
> to better understand why that's so. e.g. Audience, content, geographic area
> from which it's pulling, sponsorship (and why successfully sponsored).
>
> Seems to me Kitchener aud. used to have an annual computer show. I don't
> know that it does any more. There must be reasons for that.
>
> Paul annually calls for presenters for Software Freedom Day, struggling, I
> believe, to fill the day(s). Presumably due to limited interest.
>
> I suspect the very environment works 'against you'. There are only so many
> hours in a day, so much capacity to learn new stuff, and people usually
> focus on what's in front of them at the moment. Never mind use it or lose
> it. (No point refamiliarizing myself with Cobol if I won't be writing in it
> any time soon.) So when some 'technology' reaches some saturation point for
> me, my long experience and expertise, given the rich (and free) web
> environment for resources (references, documentation, how to's, expert
> help), means I can go and pick up the knowledge then, and only then. I do
> not need to 'waste' time attending gatherings where the first 7/8 of the
> time is bringing those new to the topic up to the speed I'm already at. So,
> presumably, your target audience are those new to the ecosystem, and those
> needing to sink into the nature of a beastie of a new technology. Cloud
> infrastructure, or multi-location network infrastructure establishment,
> come to mind. Not an easy audience to gather, let alone content satisfy.
>
> So it may well be that Colin will have most success with a computer club /
> annual event within the Conestoga environs, where the interested saturation
> level, and likely free venue space, will likely be more prevalent. (But
> seems to echo with OnLinux and Seneca / level of ongoing viability?)
>
> I do not wish to be a stick in the mud, and I do not expect anyone here
> does, either. All would wish boundless success. But no one I know of has
> yet found the magic wand that makes this all just happen. I hope the
> environment (apps, chrome, tablets, fast cell data speeds) has changed and
> that you do find a magic wand. That this thread has gone on as long as it
> has, with as much interest and detailed knowledge expressed within it,
> speaks to the level of interest in the idea.
>
> >________________________________
> > From: CrankyOldBugger <crankyoldbugger at gmail.com>
> >To: KWLUG discussion <kwlug-disc at kwlug.org>
> >Sent: Friday, June 5, 2015 2:24 PM
> >Subject: Re: [kwlug-disc] Linux Conference
> >
> >
> >
> >I do think that, given the tech community here, that KW is an ideal spot
> for such an undertaking.
> >
> >Advertising is key.  Don't depend on just websites.  Print flyers and
> stick then everywhere.  Hit up all the user groups in the area, as well as
> Toronto and London.  Even Windsor.  Newspaper ads will help as well.
> Community event shows on the local radio stations.  CTV news.
> >
> >
> >And for a big help, encourage your sponsors/vendors to do their own
> advertising ("Come see us in booth #XYZ at the KW Linux Conference on
> [date]")
> >
> >
> >And get Communitech behind it; they'll be a big help.
> >
> >On Fri, 5 Jun 2015 at 14:08 Digimer <lists at alteeve.ca> wrote:
> >
> >On 05/06/15 02:04 PM, CrankyOldBugger wrote:
> >>> Being someone who has fond memories of the big computer shows of the
> >>> 80's and 90's (eg Comdex), I would certainly come to an event here in
> >>> KW, regardless of the inaugural size.
> >>
> >>This is my interest, too.
> >>
> >>You have to expect the first few years to be quiet and understated. That
> >>is part of the growth process. So long as the right balance is found and
> >>compelling talks are given, you'll be good.
>
>
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