Jeff Schuler brought up a good point during our Drupalcon Denver discussion about templates for events. We should collaborate on templates and have them easily available for anyone interested in organizing events. This enables organizers to focus on more pressing issues such as finding quality presentations.
Over the years of organizing events I have made several templates on my own such as "meetup announcement template", "meetup description template", "camp announcement template", and many more. Example, an event template should include important information such as who/what/where/when/how, but it truly helps to include extra details on where/how to park at the venue or nearby public transit.
I am willing to lead this initiative by sharing what I have created, researching various event listings used within Drupal plus other communities, and make sure everything is properly documented to easily utilize. Is anyone else interested in helping? If so, maybe we can setup a time on IRC to discuss and/or work on templates?
Question: How should we start collaborating? One idea is to create wiki pages for templates in this group. Another idea is to utilize Etherpad.
Question: Where will the page/s live when finished?
Question: Which templates need to be created?
Question: Which extra details do you find valuable adding into an event description?
Comments
Event Templates help
I'd like to figure out how to get up to speed on helping, this seems like a good project, so count me in. We also use Cvent, EventBrite, Meetup, etc., - it would be useful in particular to have a Cvent style (Summary, Invitation, Agenda, Fees, Attendees, Staff, FAQs, Location, Directions), EventBrite style (single page), and Meetping style in the set since those cover a range of event types.
Rich Brandwein
PlanetConnect
Fabulous idea Jeff and thanks
Fabulous idea Jeff and thanks for running with this Matthew.
Question: Where will the page/s live when finished?
I like the idea of starting a wiki on g.d.o. as a way to collaborate and share commonly used templates that organizers would need. Here are some we generated for the Atlanta Drupal Business Summit - http://groups.drupal.org/node/185524
Question: Which templates need to be created?
Here are some top of mind templates that I think organizers may need:
* General reminder to previous year's attendees announcing the upcoming venue, dates, etc.
* Promotional template to market the event to the local community
* Email announcing the ability to submit sessions is open
* Template announcing session voting is complete and official schedule
* Logistics type email (i.e. what to bring, what meals will be provided, after-party details, parking, etc.)
* Email to speakers providing details around A/V, video, preferred slide format, etc.
* Final reminder before event
* Post-event survey requesting feedback
Question: Which extra details do you find valuable adding into an event description?
In LA we've had success using
In LA we've had success using googledocs to share among organizers ... one of the nicest aspects is multiple file formats, which has allowed us to also have shared presentation templates we use. I'm not sure if etherpad can help on that front, but having a shared slide presentation allows multiple people to easily/quickly add topic/news/etc.
That said, It might be nice to have more of a 'central slide repository' for interested groups to borrow from/add to.
However, there is a bit of a risk if all the meetups become a homogeneous... there is definitely value in variety.
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mike stewart { twitter: @MediaDoneRight | IRC nick: mike stewart }