Archive talk:2007 National Conference

Feedback on the 2007 National Conference

Please sign your comments with --~

What worked

 * Agenda
 * Start time: I'm happy that we didn't start too early. --Gavin 02:35, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * Reportbacks was awesome --Gavin 05:42, 27 May 2007 (JST)


 * Sustenance
 * Lunch &amp; snack: Free is good! (Free as in free lunch) --Gavin 02:38, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * Lunch: Vegetarian is good --Gavin 03:55, 27 May 2007 (JST)


 * Registration
 * Free is good --Gavin 03:55, 27 May 2007 (JST)


 * Location
 * Conveniently located -- not far from T, pretty easy to find --Gavin 03:55, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * Room was large enough, pretty comfortable, plenty of power outlets --Gavin 03:55, 27 May 2007 (JST)

What should we change?

 * Agenda
 * Too packed: Need more time between sessions. --Gavin 02:35, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * This was a hard compromise--we wanted more time between sessions, but also didn't want to start too early. As it was, the conference ran pretty late--what do you think we should err on the side of next time? CrimsonNinjaGirl 15:48, 28 May 2007 (JST)
 * I think it was actually perfect timing -- just enough time at lunch and ice cream to talk and catch up and not too many sessions to have to choose between. Mecredis 23:48, 29 May 2007 (JST)
 * Stay on schedule: Need queue cards to keep speakers on schedule. --Gavin 02:35, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * The IRC backchannel kind of took care of this, but we should definitely get a reg/timer laptop next time.
 * We had someone assigned to this, unfortunately this person wasn't able to be there at the beginning. --Emstark 03:03, 30 May 2007 (JST)
 * Reportbacks: Might want to split chapters from projects/other organizations, especially if the conference is larger next year --Gavin 05:42, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * I think we did this, putting the projects at the end, didn't we? Mecredis 23:48, 29 May 2007 (JST)
 * We did this. --Emstark 03:03, 30 May 2007 (JST)
 * Pre-conference welcome: Should organize a dinner or something the night before. --Gavin 02:35, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * Sure, but organizing large dinners is kind of a pain, and some people just came for the day. Mecredis 23:48, 29 May 2007 (JST)
 * The meeting the night before was open to anyone who wanted to attend. A dinner the night before would have been a lot of work, but sure, if someone wants to do it in the future...--Emstark 03:03, 30 May 2007 (JST)


 * Sustenance
 * Morning: Should have morning snacks -- at least coffee &amp; water or something. --Gavin 02:38, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * We didn't even start in the morning. We already had quite a lot of free food as it was. We also had cups for anyone that wanted to get water out of the water fountain. --Emstark 03:03, 30 May 2007 (JST)
 * Environmental impact: Should make sure everything we use is biodegradable or recyclable (is styrofoam the best choice?) --Gavin 03:55, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * Not sure where you saw styrofoam, but we had to scramble to get some cups because our ice cream people forgot them. Agreed that we should make sure that people recycle, etc. We did in fact encourage everyone to do so. --Emstark 03:03, 30 May 2007 (JST)


 * Registration
 * Name tags: Pre-printed name tags for registered attendees -- they're easier to read &amp; more convenient --Gavin 03:55, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * I think this flies in the face of making sure everything is environmental. We risk over printing for those who don't attend and wasting paper. Mecredis 23:48, 29 May 2007 (JST)
 * We made a conscious decision not to do this. As it turned out, we had double the amount of registrants as attendees, so it would have been a big waste of paper. --Emstark 03:03, 30 May 2007 (JST)
 * Communication: Better communication with attendees -- I had a lot of people ask about where they're staying, etc. -- it wasn't totally clear who was in charge or who to call in case something went wrong --Gavin 03:55, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * Not sure who asked you this, but I was fully in touch with anyone who emailed me about housing. If they didn't email, well, then, that's their fault. --Emstark 03:03, 30 May 2007 (JST)
 * Tip jar: Maybe we could accept donations from people who would like to contribute, to defray costs --Gavin 03:55, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * Agreed, or paypal account.
 * That's a good idea and we should do it next time. --Emstark 03:03, 30 May 2007 (JST)


 * Location
 * Connectivity: Might be nice to have ethernet ports -- less hassle connecting to wireless, maybe faster, option for people without wireless cards (or broken, or problems, or whatever) --Gavin 03:55, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * I disagree, ethernet is more of a hassle than wifi, esp. considering having cables. We could have just set up a router with some drops and a better wifi connection. Mecredis 23:48, 29 May 2007 (JST)
 * Was the wifi really that bad? Usually it is fine and handles a full classroom of HLS students. I agree that ethernet is just unnecessary. --Emstark 03:03, 30 May 2007 (JST)
 * Facilities: have air conditioning in as many rooms as possible. Set up recording/streaming equipment before conferences start. -- Nick
 * Should have tables for friendly groups / litdrop --Gavin 05:42, 27 May 2007 (JST)
 * We had the front registration table, which was designated for that purpose. I told anyone who asked that they were welcome to put their materials there. --Emstark 03:03, 30 May 2007 (JST)