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Re: [LUG] Meetings - Plymouth - Talks

 

tom brough wrote:
Neil Stone wrote:
OK, so there are a fair few people interested..

Would anyone be willing to do some form of talk/demo etc ?

I'm looking to have this as an all day event if I can..

I think the idea is good. However if its going to be all day and a
"pay-as-you-go" event, I think we would all want to get as much bang for
our buck as we can in terms of promoting GNU/Linux/Free Software/Open
Source.

If we could promote this venue in some way and get a wider cross section
of people in Devon & Cornwall interested in attending (Business,
Community, Charity as well as individuals) then so much the better.

We have attempted to do this in the past with Software Freedom day and
because of lack of promotion and understanding (from the general public)
and a lack of interesting "activities" / demonstrations / talks, it has
seen the (no disrespect) same "old" faces attending.

To make this work we really need to target the right people and promote
in the right places. Unfortunately "apathy rules" and the very
non-technical people we wish to engage are likely to stay away, or not
understand that it could be to their benefit to attend etc....

The question we need to answer is how to effectively promote this event
to get a good turn out that is sustained after the event.

Some ideas  for attractions :-

Streamed Themes eg :
Free Software and the Small / Medium Business User in Devon & Cornwall -
talks demos, applications?

Free Software and the Silver Surfer (targeted at the wiser generation)
again demos, applications security etc....

Kids Stuff & Education - Targeted at teachers, parents, kids - Fun and
Education Free Software.

Digital Arts - I could set up an Inkscape demo perhaps - anyone a
blender expert in the group ?

Credit Crunch Software for the Credit Crunch Society - complete demo
live install of debian / ubuntu or some other  distribution

Finances ....

If we charged a door fee / donation (50p) then perhaps we could cover
our costs, however we (DCLUG membership) would need to commit to
underwriting the costs should no one turn up.

Insurances....

I might be worth checking with the venue what insurance cover they have
/ would expect IF you are planning to expand this beyond the DCLUG
membership.

These are just some GPL'd ideas take, leave, adapt, discuss  as you wish
....

Tom.
Some good points there Tom, I think if we were going to do something like that then it would probably be good to plan it at least a couple of months in advance rather than plan it for say a couple of weeks and have it turn out to be a disaster.

Promotion wise, it might be possible to get the local media involved (Heart Plymouth, Radio Devon, Plymouth Herald, possibly Westcountry and BBC Spotlight). I have some contacts at Heart Plymouth, especially in the sales department who might be interested possibly in some business related event, that is assuming we can come up with some good ideas.

I also wonder if long term it might be worth looking at the Business South West show in Exeter (I think it's held later on in the year) at Westpoint. Not sure what the stand costs are but again lots of businesses visit the show so it could be a good opportunity to make contacts even for say a follow up event/talk.

Rob


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