[EuroPython] Local organizers ?

[Denis Frère]

Le Tue, Feb 18, 2003 at 07:55:05PM +0100, Tom Deprez pianota:
> Hi,
> 
> I've got a reply from Denis. P3B will still support the project. Denis
> is just busy with some important projects which need his attention.

Sorry guys. I know I should write on the list (at least from time to
time). I want to reassure you : we (the local team) are doing the
necessary to repeat the success of last year. We even will try to do
better.

- The venue is booked June 25th, 26th and 27th.
- We will have again a sponsorship from Dexia (a bank).
- We should have Chimay again. :-)
- Since Asdu, the book reseller, was very pleased of his last year
  sales, I don't doubt they are willing to be there again (but indeed,
  that reminds me I should ask for a confirmation).
- Guido will come.
- François promised me he will organize a cheap accomodation at the
  Adeps sport center again.
- ... what else ?

So, you see, my silence is not a lack of interest.

There are much bigger efforts behind the scene, but I fear they won't
give big results. So, it's not worth to talk about. I hope I could
announce some good news before the conference, but it's absolutely not
certain, so we should plan nothing more than last year for the moment.

> He's also contacted Bruce Eckel and Mitch Kapor. Bruce already replied
> mentioning that he won't be able to attend.

Exact. With Guido's assentment, I have invited Bruce and Mitch. Bruce
had already planned his usual seminars. No news from Mitch, if one of
you has a good dialog chanel with him, I do think he would be a good
keynote speaker, so, he's welcome.

> We've also discussed on some prices (entrance / booths), which I would
> like to discuss with others.

I think we don't have much latitude.

As Marc-André reminded us, we were a little bit short with money last
year. Not all expenses has been covered, apart from the pleasure to see
you all in Charleroi. And yes! You let me some sandwishes, a few bottles
of Chimay beer and some Tee-shirts I didn't included in the accounting.
:-)

Just a small example to thank François, my brother-in-law, member of our
team : he has taken care of the Adeps accomodation. He paid some chips
and fresh drinks from his own money so that he could welcome decently
people arriving late in the evening (not to say the night).

So here's the proposal I discussed a bit with Tom :

- This year, we will have three full days (that means an afternoon break
  catering more than last year).
- Since the majority of you was pleased, I hope we will have some more
  attendees, but it's not sure at all.

If we go for a schema as it has been discussed (a business day followed
by two hackers days), I think 300 EUR with business day and 200 EUR
without would be a fair price. Plus a 50 EUR penalty for late
registration and 50 EUR more for paying on place : we would like to
encourage early registration to have some budget for pre-payments, and
cash or checks is just trouble, risk and loss of time. 

For the speakers, we would be pleased to give free entrance again, but
we would just ask for a small fee for catering (eg. 50 EUR).

Low prices for students, the same as last year.

For the boothes, I would say 200 EUR for community members and 1000 EUR
for booths as ASDU (we were rather cheap last year).

If we are assured to equilibrate our budget early enough, we could drop
the speakers fee, or offer you some extra (for example, a free Tshirt),
or spend some money in another way, but I'm not rich enough to afford a
loss this year, so, I've to aim at a positive issue.

Of course, I'm still trying to find other sponsors, I would be pleased
to announce you a good surprise ; unfortunately common people don't care
a lot about Python yet. It's a question of time..., but the conference
is planned within a few months, that's a too short time. :-)

Discussion's welcome. If you have some good ideas, I would be pleased
to hear from you.

And while I'm writing, yes indeed, Paul, our IRC meetings should start
again. I would be partisan of 18:00-19:00 CET : just after office hours
and before being too hungry.

G'night.

Denis

-- 
Denis FRERE
P3B    : Club Python(-Zope) Belge --------- http://www.p3b.org
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