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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've just been contacted by one of our sponsors for
Brisbane's Wikimania 2009 bid, wondering if and when we're thinking of beginning
a bid. Obviously, it would be good if we could wait until Incorporation is
finalised and we have a fully functional board, but I strongly feel that if we
want to have a good chance, we should start now.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Obviously, I'm eager to commence a bidding process
for Brisbane again. Advantages of doing Brisbane, rather than some other
Australian city:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>- We have the facilities and the size to cope with
a conference of this size</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>- We already have interested sponsors, so
interested that they are contacting me about when we're going to get
started!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>- Obviously, from the last bid, we have a base of
contacts that we have built up. If we start in any other city, these will
have to be built up from scratch.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>- We already have a conference plan for '09 that
can hopefully be adjusted somewhat to fit 2010, so we will not have to waste
time going through the early stages of planning what will happen
when.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>- Brisbane presents no real obstacles as far as
accessability or size that other major east coast cities don't also
provide.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In summary, if there are no plans for another city
in Australia to launch a bid, we can start a Brisbane bid <EM>right
now</EM>. The extra time between now and the judging will hopefully allow
us to get a veritable horde of supporters, sponsors, and backers in. If
this hasn't been decided, we can hold off, as I think we agreed last time this
came up that it would be no good for two competing Australian bids to be going
on at the same time, but as above, I think that Brisbane is the clear choice at
this point. In addition, if there is a choice to be made, it needs to be
made quickly, while our existing sponsors are still interested. As with
last time, I am very willing to coordinate and do the legwork on
this.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Franklin</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>