Re: [Fsfe-uk] Linux User & Developer Expo

[Brian Teeman]

I'll try and answer many of the comments made in this one email.

Visitor numbers.
I'm not sure of the actual numbers but I suspect they were very similar to 
last time. But you have to remember that the show floor space was over 
double that of the last Expo in London. So obviously it will have seemed 
quieter.

In front or behind a counter.
Personaly I prefer the behind a counter option but the stand was changed 
to be in front as a result of feedback from the last expo. Specifically 
from AFFS. Being in front of the counter does increase the amount of wall 
space available for posters etc

Grouping political/campaigns together.
This was specifically not done this time after complaints from AFFS at 
previous expos. The feeling expressed to me from AFFS that the visitors 
were unable to differentiate between the different campaigns. (Note UKCDR 
and FFII wanted to be together as did GLLUG and LONIX and Rosegarden and 
LinuxAudio)

Amount of stand space.
I tried to allocate stand space so that everyone had the same amount of 
space (appprox 2m). Debian are a separate case as they are by far the 
largest .org in the UK. Every square metre of stand space at the expo 
costs over #300. Just because there is empty space in the hall doess not 
mean that it is free.

Number of participants
This year there were more participants in the .Org village than ever 
before. In fact it was the largest .Org Village at any linux expo in the 
english language world. As each expo passes the demand for stand space 
increases. Where at all possible I will not make a decision on who can or 
cannot particpate. (The only exceptions were when requests came in in the 
last 2 weeks before the show and I did my best to fit them in although 
one of the late requests chose not to repky when I ahd arranged some 
extra space for them).

If AFFS want to have their own stand there is nothing to stop it. You 
would then be able to do what you wanted with it and have it located 
wherever in the expo you can negotiate with the oragnisers. Of course you 
will then have to pay for it. AFAIK the cheapest stand at the expo this 
year was #1000. Is that the best use of AFFS funds? (Does AFFS even have 
that amount of money?

Brian
.Org-aniser and Sponsor of the .Org Village