RFC: DConf 2013

[Era Scarecrow]

On Wednesday, 3 October 2012 at 17:08:25 UTC, Andrei Alexandrescu 
wrote:
> I hear you. We have a detailed budget model and we're not 
> splurging in any way. Organizing a conference has quite a few 
> odds and ends and weird pricing. As an example, location 
> providers offer good prices for the location proper BUT they 
> require using their own catering services, which is how they 
> make money. I co-organized a few conferences and, believe me, a 
> cookie has a different taste when you know it was $5.
>
> That being said, if anyone on this forum works in the Bay Area 
> and takes this to their employer, we'd save a ton of expenses 
> if a company could offer a meeting room. I have initiated such 
> with Facebook, and they're looking into it. All - please email 
> me if such an opportunity exists.

  Depending on how many people would be attending, and I'm sure 
most of us are far enough away that a place to stay becomes a 
question. A quick glance suggests room swill be anywhere from 
$80-$200, and if it hits tourist season that number can double 
(or triple) easily.

  At some conventions you could get a discount if you mentioned 
you were part of the group, but if this group isn't large enough 
to warrant that kind of attention then perhaps something else.

  Perhaps at no cost find/contact a few hotels and that are 
willing to give discounts (aren't far from the site and 
reasonably priced) and list them as preferred options for lodging.

  Potentially also if a single hotel (or two) can reserve say a 
hundred rooms (or whatever is decided), a larger discount may be 
given especially for stays lasting multiple day. In that 
situation whoever is managing can collect the cost for the rooms 
(up front, say 3 months in advance). Regarding deposits I'm sure 
we would each handle our own.

  Also a thought. If the discounts are comparable enough compared 
to normally without this effort, then that discount can then be 
donated towards the conference and may build that up 
faster/easier.