FOSS4G 2009 Venue Planning

This page is being used for the planning of venues to use for the FOSS4G 2009 conference.

BOFs

 * in 2007, BOFs had a 'closing time', which was primarily dictated by security(getting everyone out of the conference center by a certain time) - will that be the case with the SCEC?

Demo Theatre

 * was in a separate room for 2007, and in the exhibit hall for 2008 - which is better?

Exhibit Hall

 * if the exhibit hall can't be setup until Wednesday AM, does that cause problems? For example, OC/PCO staff who need/want to be involved in the Opening Plenary who would also be needed for the setup, or Exhibitors who want to attend the opening plenary.

Labs
Hands on, in a classroom setting. Duration is typically half that of a Workshop.

Mapping Party
OpenStreetMap mapping party.
 * organisation to be done by 'the OpenStreetMap people'
 * we can help with promotion, and suggestions for areas to map
 * presumably this is a no-cost item for FOSS4G2009

OSGeo AGM

 * in 2007 it was on the first day, and in 2008 the last day - which is better?

Presentations

 * in 2007 these were three 25-minute presentations grouped into a 90 minute session, but people started switching between individual presentations instead of staying for the 90-minute session
 * in 2007 Presentations and Labs ran parallel, in 90-minute blocks, but if Labs are not part of the program, Presentations could be arranged in a different manner
 * would we necessarily want all Presentations to be the same length, or could some blocks be for Presentations that are allocated a longer time period?

Opening

 * need to allow time for people to register before the plenary starts

Registration

 * will "early registration" be needed to properly identify people participating in Technical Visits or Tour prior to the conference?
 * if Workshops are held offsite, an offsite registration desk will have to be available
 * if the SCEC is not available until Wednesday, can there be a registration desk at SCEC on Tuesday, so people can register, in order to reduce the 'crush' of Wednesday AM registrations?

Technical Visits
A visit to some company or facility that has a "technical component", although it may not necessarily be focused on geospatial.

Tours
A non-technical visit to some location of general interest.

Workshops
Hands on, in a classroom setting. Duration is "1/2 day".