Comments on: It costs money? I thought this was an unconference.

By: Olya

Olya — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:15:24 +0000

The trick I used in the past to avoid charging for a conference yet still ensure a show up – I’d have people pay $ to register for a full reimbursement upon registering on the first day of conference. If showed up – got money back, if not – I keep the money. Stats were usually 50% no show, so fine. Not once anyone complained. This also required them keeping the badge for a full time (if you want to know more info on badge tricks, email me at olyalapina@gmail.com).

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:49:42 +0000

Happy to support it.

By: Marsha

Marsha — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:42:47 +0000

I’m so proud of you for doing this!!!

Thanks for putting this together! I’m astounded at your level of creativity, your organizing savvy and your commitment to training women in tech!

I’m from the Non-Profit/Community Organizing/Activist world and I think you’re doing an amazing job including us.

Way to go!

Marsha

By: WebUrs

WebUrs — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:47:42 +0000

I find $118 is a cheap conference.

Coffe breaks, food, renting rooms somebody has to pay. Even if a nonprofit does it, it costs. You either have sponsors, charge a fee or else organizer pays.

This is an investment, if 118 is too much, wrong place for somebody to be, right?

Before one goes, assess the potential benefits and off you go:

http://commetrics.com/?cat=217 (metrics to watch)

Enjoy the conference/cummunity organizing event. I will watch from afar over the pond

By: Alison Chaiken

Alison Chaiken — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 06:48:42 +0000

The fees that Identity Woman describes are part of what I consider “best practices.”

I have been a volunteer conference organizer in the past (for the Magnetism and Magnetic Materials and Intermag Conference, for those who care). I can attest to the truth of Identity Woman’s assertion of $15/attendee for a coffee break at a conference hotel: that’s how much it cost our non-profit conferences to serve soft drinks in the mid-Nineties.

In addition, I am a volunteer event organizer (for the MIT Club of North California, for those who care). We almost always charge a few dollars for events to discourage no-shows, as Identity Woman suggests.

By: identitywoman

identitywoman — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:43:14 +0000

We are modeling ourselves on volunteer run conferences. Most of the money is going to venue, insurance and food. We have had lots of help from volunteers spreading the word about the conference. Anyone who is a student or unemployed can ask for a discount code.

By: Michael R. Bernstein

Michael R. Bernstein — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:25:02 +0000

Since you are essentially trying to create a community organizing event, consider modeling your conference on volunteer-run science-fiction conventions instead of for-profit technology events.

Yes, you’ll still have to charge (a good thing, since as you note that gets people to commit), but you’ll be able to reduce the expense considerably.