Dear Colleagues,
You're receiving this email as we've identified you as a key
stakeholder in our bid to host linux.conf.au in Geelong in 2015, or
have previously indicated to us that you'd like to be kept informed
of developments here.
So, where are we at?
With incredible assistance from Mr Terry Hickey at Business Events
Geelong - part of Geelong Otway Tourism, we now have indicative
quotes from venues for conference events such as the Penguin Dinner,
Professional Delegates' Networking Session and Speaker Dinner, and
have a proposed conference date range (12-16th Jan 2015). Deakin
University's Events area has been amazingly helpful - many thanks
Luke O'Brien and team - and we have been able to put together a
viable set of venues to cater for the different conference streams,
including Costa Hall. Work is progressing on diversity aspects of
the conference planning such as the Partners' Programme and
childcare.
Our budget for the event has gone through scenario modelling, and is
with an experienced member of Linux Australia Council for review
(many thanks Josh Hesketh and Josh Stewart for your efforts here).
Financially we are looking solid, with an estimated budget of
approximately $400k - which would be incredibly welcome in the
Geelong economy given the recent contraction of major industry
players such as Ford and Target in the region.
The conference project plan has been drafted, and a work breakdown
structure produced which will go through iterative refinement as
planning progresses.
These documents are publicly available on Google Docs and we're very
happy to share - just let myself or David know and we'll send you
the link.
The bottom line
The bottom line is that we are finalising a substantive, genuine,
well put together bid - which will be submitted by the Linux
Australia deadline of 8th July.
What happens next?
Word has it that there are several bids for linux.conf.au 2015 in
the pipeline - including Auckland and Hobart. The Linux Australia
Council will meet to consider all submitted bids after 6th July
where they will make a shortlist of bids. Then, they will visit each
shortlisted bid city over August and September to investigate the
venues, accommodation and facilities and will make a final decision
around October-November 2013. The winning bid will then be announced
at linux.conf.au 2014 in Perth in early January.
As a final word, I'd like to again thank you for all your support in
encouraging David and I to make the bid - it's very much
appreciated.
Our next communication will likely be sometime after 6th July when
we know whether the Geelong bid has made the shortlisting cut.
As always your feedback, comments and questions are warmly welcomed,
Kind regards,
Kathy Reid and David Bell
--
Kathy Reid
@KathyReid on Twitter/Identi.ca/IRC etc
XMPP: kathyreid@jabber.org.au
0418 130 636