Montreal DrupalCamp2008
That's right folks, Koumbit.org has decided to host a DrupalCamp in Montreal! While we are still at the very earliest planning phases here, the idea is to hold a 2-3 day open-space style event in Montreal the first weekend of October.
While bigger and better than the small meetups of recent years, it isn' t as crazy as a quarter-million-dollar DrupalCon.
What is open-space? Well, one way to put it is that it'll be whatever we collective make it to be. The other way that I would describe it is to point you towards the wikipedia entry.
We are aiming high here. The event should be oriented around birds of a feather style sessions in a format that allows people to roam from one session to another or to continue working as long as they like on their favorite themes. It should provide real learning opportunities for both developers and users alike and should represent a networking bonanza for Drupal shops, indenpendent developers and existing/potential users. We want to avoid the panelists-in-front-of-audiences format that has become the norm in the bigger events. Oh, and it should be cheap!
So start thinking about what you want to see and do there. I, for one, would to see all the other regional Drupal shops show up in force to create a sort of open-marketplace... I'd like to see people showing off their tools, sites and methods... I'd like to see some coding sessions... I'd like to see people discussing what is and isn't working in the community, both locally and globally... oh and an internet connection that works would be nice too ;-)
Anyway, like I said these are early days. We are starting the planning now to make sure that we have the time to turn this into one of the coolest events in Drupal history.
Ical feed
First step...
... we'll set up a Drupal-wiki for this. Remember, you are the ones who will determine what happens. Hmm... the possibilities abound!
Sounds great
This is a wonderful idea, and should be well attended, if similar meetings in other cities are anything to go by. Co-workers of mine in NYC and Toronto have helped organize several of these, so I'll ask them for some tips, too. Let's discuss this more at the April 11th meeting!
Awesome!!!
I'm super excited about this! Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the planning meetup (I'm in Australia doing workshops), but hugely look forward to seeing what comes out of that, and will help where I can! :)
Très bonne idée | Very good idea
J'ai hâte au mois d'octobre. Mon mois préféré.
Is Koumbit big enough to host Drupalers workshop? How many of us can safely go there with our computers?
If not big enough, any other venues in plan?
C'est sûr!
Octobre c'est loin... mais cela nous donne beaucoup de temps pour avoir hâte et pour trouver la place pour tenir l'évènement.
This will definitely not be taking place in Koumbit's offices, wherever those will be by then. And we'll need more than a classroom as well... a bunch of classrooms might work... anyway, some of us will be able to talk more about this at the meetup later today. For those who can't make it, please get your brains wrapped around what you want to see at the camp and how you can help make it happen. :-)
xmacinfo, you're thinking of
xmacinfo, you're thinking of the space at Bande-Passante, Koumbit's current office. That place is closing down in July so we're definately looking for another venue for this. We're thinking, much much bigger ;)
Perhaps we can use a classroom
Drupal communities in Toronto and NYC typically use classrooms at local universities or colleges. They've found it's not hard to book a few rooms for weekends or evenings, and often they have wifi. In return, computer science students at the school have a free event to attend, so it's a good deal for everyone.
english or french
will it be in English?
Both languages are welcomed.
Both languages are welcomed. Many participants are bilingual, it's pretty easy to have someone translate parts for you. (Hello from Twitter ;)
Just organzied Drupal Camp Vancouver with info to share ...
I posted a note in the wiki to say ... I work with Boris, Jacob and the rest of the Raincity Studios crew as the Community Marketing Evangelist. I recently put together Drupal Camp Vancouver which turned out really well i think. I am happy to offer any advice, estimated budgets, organizational strategies, etc. as needed - I am particularly able to help on promotion and sponsor outreach, and social media topics.
See http://drupalcampvancouver.org for what we brewed up this time with a mix of sponsors and $20 per attendee which included lunch, coffee, beer and bamboo t-shirts. Having a kick-off party is key to building a good vibe and finding a free venue (almost impossible in Vancouver) helps keep the costs down. Coffee and wi-fi are musts.
I also posted more wrap-up notes and announcements at: http://www.raincitystudios.com/topics/drupal-camp-vancouver
We might be able to rally up a crew to come out to participate as well.
Dave O
Crafting social media and evangelizing Drupal
http://raincitystudios.com, etc.