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)
