[pm-h] YAPC -- Houston?

[Jeremy Fluhmann]

> If we want to pursue attempting to bring YAPC::NA to Houston, we need
some
> research and ideas in the next few weeks to a month and some time
spent
> writing a proposal.

Of course I'm all in if that's still an option. ;-)


> We would need to evaluate venues for the conference itself and track
down
> some potential sponsors.

Looking back on all of the previous YAPC::NA, it has always been held at
a university.  As I mentioned to Wade off-list, I looked into the
University of Houston as an option.  I have contact information for
those in charge of housing (dorms; as per one of the preferred venue
requirements) and the University Center complex.  I've also been
contacted by their Conference Coordinator, Chris Arnold.  I have room
sizes and prices, but it looks like finding enough of the right size
rooms may prove difficult.  I've also been made aware by a few people
(including my wife) that UofH may not be in the best of neighborhoods.
Regarding sponsorship, I know that there are several companies in
Houston that have posted jobs on jobs.perl.org, as well as Monster (and
other job sites).  I'm sure they would be interested.  Also, looking at
Chicago's proposal, they wrote it showing the conference could pay for
itself and still have some money left over (their numbers didn't include
sponsorship at the time).  Including possible sponsorship early on could
possibly be a HUGE plus on the bid proposal.


> It sounds like this could be handled by a handful of people in the
early
> stages. If YAPC did come here we would probably need more volunteers
to
> help at the conference with various facilitation and people directing 
> roles.

I would think that working with several student organizations and their
advisors that I would be able to find a good number of 'student'
volunteers to help with things.  I've been told by one advisor that we
could possibly have a pool of around 300 to choose from, if needed, just
in his group alone.



> We also probably want to choose a person to take the lead on the
proposal 
> and organization. Anyone interested?

Of course I would love to, but not being 'in' Houston would probably be
a hindrance and I might not be the caliber needed to do it.  Consider me
a definite failsafe. ;-)  Unless Wade or someone else takes it, I'm
definitely there to take on the role.

Thanks,
Jeremy