Re: [eclipsecon-na-program-committee] better BoFs at ECon

[John Arthorne <John_Arthorne@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I definitely agree it didn't work well
in Boston last year. I found there was no time to eat and I had to either
grab something from Seven Eleven to eat during the BoF, or survive on the
scant snacks from the reception to tide me over until 10. Of the two evening
options I like the earlier one. Like Tom said it would be hard to get people
back for a consistent time after an off-site dinner. With the earlier slot
there is also a networking opportunity that they could meet people there
to go for a group dinner with after.

I'm not sure I like the lunch BoF option
but would be curious what others think. I find it is such a long intense
day that the lunch break is a much needed time to just relax and socialize
a bit. The lunch table topics allow for sort of mini-bofs already for those
who want to use that time to meet on a particular topic.

John




From:      
 Anne Jacko <anne.jacko@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To:      
 Eclipsecon NA program
committee discussions <eclipsecon-na-program-committee@xxxxxxxxxxx>,

Date:      
 10/07/2013 02:49 PM
Subject:    
   [eclipsecon-na-program-committee]
better BoFs at ECon
Sent by:    
   eclipsecon-na-program-committee-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxx

---

Hi all,

We would like to change how we are scheduling BoFs to
make the experience better for attendees. Ian S and discussed some ideas,
and we'd like your feedback.

We would also like to hear your ideas, since all of you
organize and attend BoFs.

Before 2012, most attendees ate dinner at a conference
reception and then went straight to a BoF. That seemed to work well. But
we no longer include a full dinner at the receptions, so most attendees
try to fit in a reception, then dinner, and then BoFs, and it's not working
well.

Going back to providing dinner isn't an option (for this
year) since the lower attendee prices won't cover it. There are lots of
dinner options in Burlingame, but attendees would need at least two hours
to get into Burlingame, eat, and get back to the hotel.

Some suggestions -- and we could do a mix of these:
- have one hour of BoFs, starting late (~9pm)
- have one hour of BoFs, starting early (~6:30pm)
- have box lunches, and offer BoFs during lunchtime
- have attendees self-organize into "dinner BoFs"
where they sign up on a wiki to be part of a group that is meeting for
dinner at a local restaurant

BTW, we don't think transportation from the hotel to Burlingame
is a hurdle. It's a short drive, and we could provide chartered buses to
loop between the hotel and downtown Burlingame between 7 and 11pm.

So please discuss on this list!

Thanks,
Anne

Anne Jacko
Eclipse Foundation
503-784-3788 (cell)

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