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• Previous candidates? (Score:1)

  by cog (4665)

  Years previous there were plenty to choose from!

  Have you thought of letting the previous candidates know of the lack of proposals? Maybe you've done this already, but I couldn't go without mentioning the possibility of emailing all of them...
  • Re:Previous candidates? (Score:2)

    by KM (4)

    I believe most have either been emailed, or spoken to in person at some point in the process. Of course, they shouldn't *need* to be asked. They know when the CFV is happening. We're all adults :-)
    
    But that raises another question. If you someone proposes one year, and doesn't get it.. why are they not in there the next being the first to propose with an even better bid?
    • Re:Previous candidates? (Score:2)

      by barbie (2653)

      I can imagine for some it may be a lot of hard work to prepare the bid, and to go through the process again, only to be knocked back, may be too much effort. Remember this is a volunteer effort, not everyone has the free time to prepare bids again and again.

      Have the groups that have previously bid changed leadership or membership, that means the same enthusiasm isn't there any more?

      This is the first time I've ever really seen any metrics for the number of groups applying for chance to host a YAPC::NA, and
      • Re:Previous candidates? (Score:2)

        by KM (4) on 2005.09.15 10:49 (#43293) Journal

        To be honest, I didn't think preparing a bid was "difficult", although others may not have the same experience. Here's what I did (and won the bid)

        * Made a list of possible venues
        * Got the venue req's list
        * Called each venue and went through the list
        * Wrote down prices they gave
        * Wrote down available dates
        * Chose the best priced and suitable venue
        * Wrote the figures down, a little about the venue, about the area, etc... from the venue req's list.
        * Emailed it
        

        It took me (alone) no more than a week to go through about 8 venues, and write something up. Again, I'm sure others may experience some pain while talking to venues. I know some I called were a PITA to get info from. But, if I lost the bid (and stayed living in FL) I would have just called back FAU for room availability and current rates, then resubmitted. The main legwork was already done.

        Have the groups that have previously bid changed leadership or membership, that means the same enthusiasm isn't there any more?

        Very possible. But, the CFV goes out soon after YAPC::NA. If you're not motivated then, when would you be? :-) I'd think that's when people would think "I wish this was in my town." and take that back to their PM group/co-workers/whomever and start the "let's host a YAPC" discussion.

        Perhaps there needs to be more visibility of this sort of thing to help generate interest.

        You have a good point. Maybe some think their town won't measure up to who may be proposing. But, if they knew bids were low, they could get motivated.

        And yes, docs can be updated. But, we do live in the age of interweb, where people can ask questions and get whatever help they need. I've always made myself available to help people get a bid together. One things about docs, is they are best written by organizers. And, they are usually so burnt out on the topic after the con, they last thing they want to do is document it :-) Then, it falls through the cracks. But, people for YAPC::NA don't start from scratch. They can get whatever help they need for a bid, then once they win they have PLENTY of help. I think (hope) both Jim and Rich could attest that I was there every step of the way. Letting them know when things should occur, helping get appropriate sponsor contacts, helping with the budget, etc...

        We're here for ya folks! :-)

        Thanks for the response, it's some food for thought.

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        • Re:Previous candidates? (Score:2)

          by barbie (2653)

          I think the key thing is passion. Some of us have the drive to do this, and make it all worthwhile. Others who might be interested, need encouragement that they can do it. I think the bidding process needs to be made clearer in what people need to think about, as if you can't see what you need to think about it can be a daunting task. People helped Birmingham.pm, because we made a big song and dance about the fact we were going for it. Anyone who wasn't so vocal wouldn't necessarily get the same help.

          When
          • Re:Previous candidates? (Score:2)

            by KM (4)

            Thinking about it, would there be any worth in requesting that potential bidders contact YAPC first

            I think we always have, non officially, encouraged people to contact us. I think a good thing for every next YAPC is to make sure a YAPC BOF is held, so everyone possibly interested in doing one is in a single room. I know at every YAPC before I proposed is when I was most motivated to propose. It could also be a good way to get contact info so we can follow up.

            Of course, to do this, we'll need another Y
            • Re:Previous candidates? (Score:2)

              by barbie (2653)

              Actually there was one at YAPC::Europe::2004 in Belfast that was well attended. My PerlMongersBOF was well attended this year, so I shall look to having both in the schedule for next year at YAPC::Europe::2006. I'm very interested in encouraging new blood to get involved.