Where and when?
Submitted by Quartz on Thu, 2010/01/28 - 5:04pm.
I think the discussion got to the point of acknowledging that DrupalSouth could quite easily go ahead in 2011, being that there had only been 14 months (not 2 years) between the 2008 and 2010 events.
As for when, it could be prudent to tag DS onto the end of LCA Brisbane, which is due to be scheduled for the end of January/ beginning of February 2011.
Edit 29/04/10 LCA Brisbane is January 16-22, 2011
Comments
Submitted by Onyx on Wed, 2010/02/03 - 10:07pm.
Big Guns
Great that Dries is interested in turning up :D
http://twitter.com/Dries/status/8580838791
Who else is interested now....????
Submitted by Quartz on Wed, 2010/02/03 - 11:01pm.
Second thoughts
Kattekrab had an even better idea about timing - every 18 months.
This means that we alternate seasons, which could be good for skiing in Christchurch (or somewhere in the south island) mid year (July) and summer in the North Island around January.
I would think that this way we'd also get more repeat attendees as the costs of personal travel, accommodation etc are amortised over a longer period.
AND we are more likely to scout out and book international keynote speakers who may like/need to know up to 12 months in advance what they are doing, oh and give us more time to secure funding.
Submitted by Quartz on Wed, 2010/02/03 - 11:42pm.
What's on in Christchurch mid 2011
June 2011
South Island Hospitality Show
Westpac Arena, Christchurch.
Gift Fair
June 2011
ISAPA 2011
4 - 8 July 2011
University of Canterbury
ASBA conference
18-21 July 2011
SouthMACH 11
July 2011
School holidays are 15 July - 1 August 2011 so we may be able to book school hostel accommodation and all stay together. Generally the rooms are twin share, communal bathrooms, lounge and games room facilites and can provide 3 meal a day catering as well. It's worth a thought in my mind, depending on whether it suits peoples 'standards'. (I did this once with a group of women where the average age was around 60 - I'd need to look at a map to figure out which school this was at again).
Submitted by Quartz on Wed, 2010/02/03 - 11:48pm.
St Andrews College
Boarding house accommodates 165 people
Submitted by Quartz on Thu, 2010/02/11 - 7:53am.
St Andrews College Hire Charges
I have a list of the charges for hiring their various rooms, boarding and meals, if anyone would like to request them.
Basically board is $25 per night (share twin)
Breakfast (including 2 cooks dishes) $9.50
Packed lunch $11.50
Dinner (2 courses: main and dessert) $16.50
Tea/ Coffee / Biscuits $3.50
Tea/ Coffee / Homebaking $5.50
There are various charges for renting rooms, halls, cafeteria etc ranging from $100 per day to $700 per day. I think if we could budget for $200 per room per day, we ought to be right. We could run 4 tracks perhaps. They are negotiable for big conferences.
The only thing is that there'd be no drinking during the day! There are several bars in the vicinity though: No 4 Bar, Brigettes Expresso Bar, The Brewers Arms, and Robbies - all within walking distance.
So this is just one proposal! There were plenty of other people at the "let's get the ball rolling for the next DrupalSouth" meeting.
Submitted by Bevan Rudge on Fri, 2010/02/12 - 5:07am.
I doubt we would a line-up
I doubt we would a line-up of speakers like we had in Wellington unless they are here anyway for something else, or we contribute to their travel costs.
Submitted by Quartz on Fri, 2010/02/12 - 9:02am.
Agreed
So DS could coincide with LCA Brisbane in Jan/ Feb 2010
OR given that we have some time to pursue it, we may be able to encourage the sponsorship of some international Drupal shops who want to share the love.
Submitted by Chris Hood on Mon, 2010/02/15 - 8:36pm.
DrupalSouth - Brisbane Feb 2011
The Brisbane Drupal meetup group has already thrown around the idea of hosting a drupal event to coincide with LCA next Feb.
With the success of this recent event we would probably be happy to call/promote it as a DrupalSouth event and work with anyone willing to help make it happen.
Submitted by Quartz on Tue, 2010/02/16 - 6:28pm.
LCA Brisbane 2011
Are there even any firm plans for when and where LCA will be? The followtheflow.org still doesn't elucidate?
Submitted by Quartz on Tue, 2010/02/16 - 6:59pm.
What's involved
Chris, not sure if you've had a look at this thread, but it details some of what went into organising the last DS - in case it helps consolidate what you think you are letting yourselves in for :)
http://wellington2010.drupalsouth.net.nz/forum/from-where-i-sit
Submitted by Chris Hood on Wed, 2010/02/17 - 2:09pm.
What I have heard is that
What I have heard is that LCA 2011 will possibly be at QUT (university in Brisbane city) sometime in Feb 2011.
What you have posted certainly is helpful (especially the time line) and if we did proceed with organizing an event we would be keen to get your help particularly in regards to contacts for sponsors and speakers.
Submitted by Quartz on Wed, 2010/02/17 - 3:16pm.
USQ-Feb2011
Yes, heard both the February part and the USQ part. USQ has half a dozen campuses though - I am picking it is the St Lucia area and not say, Springfield or Ipswich. Although Springfield would suit me just fine as I have accommodation in the area! ;)
Re Speakers and sponsors - sure, keen to be involved wherever in the world DS is (well either Aussie or NZ really!). Bevan put in the hard yards with the sponsors, but think it is largely about getting the word out there about the opportunity and then following up on it. G.d.o was useful for that.
Have you had a look for information there? http://groups.drupal.org/drupalsouth-wellington-organisers
Also note that attendee numbers in 2008 were 50, 2010 were 100, so there is a distinct possibility that in 2011 we could be planning for 200 - possibly more if it were in Australia. This means 'conference' facilities rather than 'public bar' ones!
How many do you think in the Brisbane group would support and sustain the planning etc? Do you have 'a few good men'?
Submitted by Bevan Rudge on Fri, 2010/02/19 - 6:47am.
The two NZ DrupalSouths were
The two NZ DrupalSouths were similar in geographic reach. It's harder to say how having it in Brisbane would affect attendance numbers. Nevertheless 200 is a good target IMO, as long as you can breath if a lot less register.
Submitted by Quartz on Wed, 2010/02/17 - 3:36pm.
Note about DS site
Bevan has spoken of using the LA DrupalCamp install for the next iteration of this site. http://drupal.org/node/519100
Or you (Chris) may swing the UC way? http://drupaleasy.com/blogs/ultimike/2009/03/event-registration-ubercart
Submitted by Bevan Rudge on Fri, 2010/02/19 - 6:48am.
I don't recommend the LA
I don't recommend the LA DrupalCamp install profile. There is another one which is better done —supposedly an offshoot of sf2010.drupal.org. I don't know it's current status though.
Submitted by Chris Hood on Thu, 2010/02/18 - 6:58pm.
There about half a dozen
There about half a dozen regulars at our Brisbane meetups each month, which should provide the resources to make this happen, but none of us really have the experience organising and running a conference of this size so we are open to help from outsiders.
I guess the first issue is should our event be called DrupalSouth? There doesn't appear to be any objections here to using the name for an event in Australia? I actually like the name DrupalSouth and think it has the potential to become the annual drupal event for this part of the world (and eventually become a DrupalCon)
But I am also aware that the Sydney guys are planning the event "DrupalCamp Australia" for July this year which I assume will probably have no problem getting 100+ attendees.
As for the website I have seen and played with the LA DupalCamp install - which looks good, their registrations were free so they didn't actually include any functionality to accept paid registrations. So we would need ubercart or something else to accept paid registrations. But the website is probably the easy part.
Submitted by James Beake (not verified) on Thu, 2010/02/18 - 10:19pm.
I'm definitely up for pitching in with a Brisbane conference
and I have a particular finance/insurance company in my sights for some sponsorship coin.
Submitted by Bevan Rudge on Fri, 2010/02/19 - 6:51am.
A Drupal Association
A Drupal Association endorsed DrupalCon will always be called a "DrupalCon" (And a non DA-endorsed conference can not be called "DrupalCon"). DrupalSouth won't "become" DrupalCon, but should definitely support it. See http://groups.drupal.org/dcapo for more about DrupalCon in Asia-Pacific.
I would be available to support the organising team with contacts, advise and learned experiences, regardless of it's name.
Submitted by Chris Hood on Fri, 2010/02/19 - 2:11pm.
Sorry, I wasn't meaning
Sorry, I wasn't meaning drupalcon would be called drupalsouth - or drupalsouth would call itself drupalcon, just that with the momentum of growing events like "DrupalSouth" or "DrupalCamp Australia" it would provide the steps towards a full DA supported Drupalcon. My understanding is the Drupal Association is looking to see active communities running events and I would assume the larger the events, the more convincing an argument it would be, that this region should be considered to host a drupalcon.
I also assume if there was a drupalcon in this region there probably wouldn't need to be another large regional event like drupalsouth in that same year, hense the reason that the drupalcon would be the big drupal event for that year rather then drupalsouth or another drupal event.
Submitted by Bevan Rudge on Wed, 2010/02/24 - 11:38am.
Sure. I wasn't sure if you
Sure. I wasn't sure if you were suggesting that or not — I just wanted to clarify.
I think it would be very healthy to have national and AP-wide Drupal events in the same year, as long as there is demand, people organising them, and they are well-attended.
Submitted by Nick Moylan on Fri, 2010/02/19 - 2:55pm.
Brisbane Drupal conference
I think having a Drupal conference for the South pacific in Brisbane after the LCA is a good idea.
Once DrupalSouth goes to Australia, and when it is a runaway success - is the there a danger of losing it from NZ? With an 18 month cycle, it could be 3-4.5 years before it comes back here.
Thats a LONG time in Drupal land. That could mean a distinct vacuum back here in terms of the benefits such meet ups provide. Perhaps we could have 'mini-cons' which would run more frequently?
Also, without a joint DrupalSouth association between the countries, the name could be lost to NZ for a very long time.
Submitted by Quartz on Sun, 2010/02/21 - 6:06pm.
Hmmm....
What I seem to be reading in general (Twitter and here) is that perhaps it is too soon to host an official DrupalSouth over the ditch.
Perhaps 1 in 4 annual cycles could be in Australia with the others in New Zealand, thus 2011 is in NZ? With the next set to break new ground in size and logistics this may be prudent.
There would be nothing precluding the Brisbane folks organising something post LCA 2011 or Kiwis attending the Sydney Drupalcamp in July 2010 either though.
Just wish more of the 100 who attended DrupalSouth 2010 would pipe up ;) !
Submitted by Chris Hood on Tue, 2010/02/23 - 2:25pm.
I think its worth
I think its worth remembering that some of the success of the recent DrupalSouth should be attributed to the the fact that it was held adjacent to LCA, without LCA it may not have been possible to get speakers like webchick or the number of attendees visiting from places outside NZ (e.g. Australia) - is a breakdown of where attendees came from available anywhere?
I think it would be a bit ambitious to expect the next event would be much larger if it was done on its own without something like LCA to attract some attendees (I think you would be doing well if you could equal the most recent one). Is LCA even the best conference to run along side off for a Drupal event? Are there other conferences that could be considered?
Assume that a Drupal Event is definitely happening in Brisbane Feb 2011.
Does it matter if Brisbane used the "DrupalSouth" name or is that going to cause some confusion? It was discussed that an 18month timeline could be considered for the next event, so NZ could still host a DrupalSouth event in the second half of 2011? Would having two events in the same year dilute the brand?
Submitted by Bevan Rudge on Wed, 2010/02/24 - 11:36am.
From my point of view
From my point of view "DrupalSouth" is a name, logo, brand, reputation and style of Drupal event (Quite a good one — I think). In my opinion it's a community-owned asset that anyone can use as long as they are respectful of it's reputation and the communities interests.
I would strongly encourage anyone to organise Drupal events anywhere, anytime, of any type or name. I especially encourage Chris Hood and other Drupalers in Brisbane to organise something there close to or part of LCA.
If anyone wants to call an event "DrupalSouth", I would hope that past DrupalSouth organisers (there are 5-6 of us, not all active) are consulted with and involved at least in an advisory way. There are not (yet) any official nor written limits or bounds for the name — though the word "South" does make geographic suggestions. Of course, what you measure South relative to is up to the reader's interpretation; E.g. South Island NZ, Southern North Island NZ, South Pacific, Southern Hemisphere, South of other Drupal events, South from the North pole?
Submitted by Jeffh (not verified) on Thu, 2010/02/25 - 12:27pm.
DrupalSouth in Brisbane
Hey all -- Jeff here from Marmaladesoul (Brisbane). As a business we're putting in quite a few resources to make a QLD DrupalCamp happen together with a bunch of key people from our local meetups, which should be a good learning curve for a larger Feb 2011 event. In Marmaladesoul there are two people both with prior experience organising events of over 100 people, but specific assistance from the DS organisers would still be invaluable indeed.
As Chris has said, we in Brisbane are definitely working towards an event in Feb... I personally think it's quite generous (although I suppose in-keeping with the whole Drupal philosophy) for you NZ'ers to suggest we could use the name DrupalSouth. I really like the name, and would strongly support the idea of continuing discussions about us using the name, with your full support. Unfortunately I was not able to attend the recent DrupalSouth myself, but obviously Chris was there and can give us guidance on any specifics you'd like to see at every DrupalSouth event.
How do people feel about the idea of it alternating between Aust and NZ? I personally feel it should be in NZ equally as often as here, if only because you guys came up with the idea in the first place :) Also, because it's not overly expensive for us to get to NZ and hey, who needs an excuse to go to NZ every second year anyway!
Finally, we have access to a venue at UQ (Uni of QLD) for the upcoming DrupalCamp which is two lecture theatres able to seat 200 people each, so my hope is we may be able to arrange something similar for Feb, meaning we can handle up to 400 people easily. I think 200 might be a good target for Feb, although the "DrupalCamp Australia" in July this year will be only six months beforehand.
Just a few thoughts....
Submitted by Quartz on Thu, 2010/03/11 - 7:23pm.
So what now?
Full Results: http://bit.ly/cK7tlm
Summary Results:
41 replies
87% had attended DrupalSouth 2010
78% were Kiwis
95% would attend DrupalSouth 2011
80% would be coming from NZ for 2011
60% want DrupalSouth to run annually
65% would like DrupalSouth 2011 to be in NZ
60 would prefer NZ to retain the DrupalSouth name, for now
[I am looking at options now for uniting those who have offered their time, talents and resources for 2011. An Open Atrium (as there are groups of people with some overlapping) or Project Management framework seems the most appropriate I think.]
What this means is that, as indicated above, the Brisbane crew will be organising an event to coincide with LCA2011 sometime in February.
From the survey feedback, I am proposing, we in NZ, look at a mid year DrupalSouth for 2011. 15 July - 1 August 2011 are school holidays fwiw. This allows for the two events not to conflict for attendees. It means we may not get lots of keynotes - but again, from your responses this didn't seem to feature highly against other requirements.
There seem's to be a marginal preference for another North Island-based conference. That would suggest to me that it's Auckland's turn. Auckland is also easy to fly in and out of. I have begun to suss out conference venues there. The 'system' of hireage (room vs person charge) is somewhat different from the previous 2 bar-based conferences.
Anyway these are all things we can discuss among those who have volunteered - just thought I'd let you know what I was thinking and that I haven't dropped the ball :)
Submitted by Chris Hood on Tue, 2010/03/16 - 2:21pm.
Just clarifying the results
Just clarifying the results ( http://bit.ly/cK7tlm ) in regard to the use of the name.
You have mentions 60% want to keep the DrupalSouth Name for NZ, I think that is a bit misleading to just ignore the recipients that don't have an opinion.
The result in Q7 could also be looked at 62% are happy to share with AU or don't have an opinion either way, while 38% want to at least for the moment keep it as a NZ event.
At the very least you can only really say that:
* 38% have a strong opinion on the use of the name for NZ only event
* 25% happy to share with AU events
* remainder have no strong opinion
Its also worth comparing this to where people are coming from:
* 80% NZ
* 20% AU
Submitted by Quartz on Sun, 2010/03/21 - 3:54pm.
Statistics
It is true that statistics can be interpreted in a variety of ways.
In the above question you refer to, I chose to leave out those that do not have an opinion as I do not deem myself an expert in mind-reading. If these people were unable to express their opinions then who am I to presume one way or another on their behalf.
That leaves those who decided to use this question to reflect their currently held beliefs.
Originally I left in, the opinions of Australian's in the survey. If I had not done this then out of those who chose to express their views the statistics would have been 71% of NZ'ers wanted the DrupalSouth name to be retained for NZ for now, with 29% wanting to share.
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