FOSS4G 2009 Lessons Learned

Bidding

See also: FOSS4G2007_Lessons_Learned#Bidding

• Plan ahead. FOSS4G moves around the world to give everyone a chance to attend locally.
  • Bidding cities should take a long term strategy. If you don't win one year, keep submitting until you do.
  • The bid committee should suggest regions they would like to move to in the near future which will encourage cities in that region to bid.
  • Feedback to unsuccessful bids should include targeted feedback, including rankings, to help cities refine their bid.
  • Cities should engage the local conference industry. They are likely to provide their services for free in order to secure the conference.
• Network locally. A large, diverse team is attractive to selectors.
• Be open in your bidding process. While it may allow competing cities to gain advantage, you will demonstrate your strength and openness to the OSGeo bid committee.

Reference: International Conference delivered to your doorstep by Cameron Shorter

Decision making

• Collaborative decision making is good, but make sure each committee has a chair-person with the mandate and authority to make decisions on behalf of the committee. (The chairperson should consult the committee and aggregate comments). This should make the committee significantly more effective.