stefa...@debian.org dijo [Sat, Sep 10, 2022 at 08:34:42AM +0000]: > > FWIW, we have been adding "traditions" and expectations to DebConf, > > and I don't think we should be expected to keep them all always. > > Yeah, I worry that DebConf is continually growing in scope. We have seen > some reductions (like skipping Debian Day), but on the whole we just > keep building in complexity.
... and it adds a lot of pressure to prospective future bids, IMO. I think we should cut back on things organized as part of a DebConf. > > I think a barbeque should only be held if we end up having a bit extra > > income. Of course, it has to be organized for some time before the > > conf actually happens... > > That is tricky, we really only have a handle on final sponsorship income > a month out. But it could be something we do in the first budget > expansion early on (together with the usual bursary bump). I understand... > I think the approach to swag should be simple: > > 1. Reusable containers etc. to reduce our impact: e.g. we've had coffee > cups, beer cups, cutlery, and water bottles in the past. > This only works if: > 1. These are available from DebCamp day -1. > 2. The caterers are onboard. > 3. They can be washed and dried everywhere that they're needed. > 2. A (simple?) bag to contain whatever sponsors want to provide. > 3. Our conference shirts. Completely agree with this. Plus, +1'ing others in the thread, I'd rather put more money in having _good_ shirts, possibly even nice and useful bags, than in having more things. > Sadly for the environment, sponsors almost always want to hand out > pamphlets and some toys. We support our sponsors so we help them with > that. Ideally we'd encourage them to help us to provide only practical > things (like reusable containers), but in practice they are probably too > distant from us to collaborate closely on all our needs. > > So... I think we should generally budget for minimal swag: just the > conference shirts and a basic bag. Then if we can find some reusable > things that make sense, add them to the budget (possibly in a later > budget expansion). I remember severeal of the sponsors set up tables and gave away swag at DC18 (was it at the job fair?). I think that should be encouraged over filling our bags with stuff, that will possibly be ignored or thrown away by many. (And yes, I'm grateful at DC18's, as I managed to grab many Lego characters and some other nice toys for my kids -- otherwise, I'd have got only one of each, not really the best thing having then-3-year-old twins 😉)