Montreal DrupalCamp2008

Here are some notes that were quickly thown together regarding the upcoming DrupalCamp to be held in Montreal in October (probably) 2008.

Note that these don't even incorporate all the ideas that were present in the initial post about this event. So while this will always remain a work in progress, right now it doesn't even qualify as a first draft. This is a wiki page... please feel free to edit it.

Montreal DrupalCamp

Nature

• less panel oriented than the bigger events
• BOF oriented
  • have some pre-annouced topics but allowing people to add them as we go... that being said, the actual schedule would only be established on the spot
  • sessions oriented toward mobilising coders around projects (some defined before hand, others to be determined)
  • demo sessions
  • be sure to provide "skill level" ratings for sessions
  • try to make sure that people can be in environments where people can discuss code or not!
  • may be interesting to allow session organisers to point to other "recommended" sessions
• Business fair: help clients find a provider.
• Make the event as cheap as possible or even free (ideas: sponsorships, "business" registration fees)

Timing and Duration

• 2-3 days?
• "going from 1 to 2 days is harder than going from 2 to 3"

Scope

• We'll aim for about 100 people consisting of users, developers and designers.

Location

• There was some discussion of having one big room (e.g. for keynotes and panels) and multiple smaller rooms for the breakout but we might be able to get by with a single really big space
• Some space outside is very nice as well (especially, if we decide to do it earlier)
• We'll define zones (e.g. with letters) where the breakouts can take place
• Having a cool place can attract people
• Holding it at the SAT? It's expensive but has a "cool" factor. Need more ideas.

Food

• Providing food avoids people breaking out to eat.
• From local coop?

Other logistics

• projectors
• reliable wireless

Outreach

• need to establish clear "themes"
• want to attract people that aren't already in the community
• need to make the "reasons" to come more clear (i.e. that might be why the meetups aren't attracting people)
• holding the event at a "cool" place also attracts people
• announcing on our HAG list

Funding

Potential sponsors

• www.Koumbit.org (1000$?)
• www.Openflows.com
• www.OpenConcept.ca
• Whisky Echo Bravo
• Google (2000-3000?)
• Lullabot
• Taste of Blue
• Fair Trade Media
• Design Postimage
• www.meidia.ca
• TP1? (we don't know them, just heard that they do some Drupal stuff)
• www.cloudraker.com
• www.Communautique.org
• www.StudioXX.org
• Apress? Packt?
• www.raincitystudios.com
• Drupal Association (they don't give money but they might be able to point us towards resources) ... we should talk to webchick (as community outreach) and umm... the other guy who is responsible for supporting events
  (webchick says: Jacob Redding, the Event Coordinator for the Drupal Association, has put together a nice Drupal Camp Organizing Guide with some great tips, and we're also trying to get some sort of "swag kit" put together that we can send to local events like this. Boris Mann (Vancouver) and James Walker (Toronto) also have experience putting on camps and can lend some help/advice if we need it.)

(daveo says: I work with Boris, Jacob and the rest of the Raincity Studios crew and just put on Drupal Camp Vancouver - i am happy to offer any advice, estimated budgets, organizational strategies, etc. as needed - 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 - we might be able to rally up a crew to come out as well)

• Donations from individuals?
  (webchick says: James had the idea of a "suggested donation" of $20 at the door which might be one way to approach this.)
  (requiring $20 in advance makes the people show up and not flake out the day-of the event and helps fund things like coffee, snacks etc.)

So who will do the follow-up?

• daveo: assign tasks publicly on website including social media wranglers to record, document, liveblog the presentations

Other Ideas

... lots of them to come... please contribute by editing this page.