This is not a new or surprising discussion, and thanks for bringing it to the table. While $270 (conference + preconference) is a lot of money, you do get a 5-day conference with lunches, refreshments, reception and probably a dinner or two. That sounds like quite a modest price, compared to most other events of similar length. I suspect that each additional attendee does not bring in any cash, or actually costs the organizers money, overall. 
I would even argue that for by far most people, the registration cost will not be the limiting factor - other components of the trip would likely be (unless they are local to Stockholm, maybe). The travel to Stockholm alone will outweigh this fee by a factor of 2, maybe 4 for most, and a week of accommodation with the remaining dinners will probably set you back at least the same amount (if you go very low budget). 

There are two ways that our movement can try to address this hurdle: one way would be to reduce the price even further for everyone, the other is to provide help for some people to overcome all these financial hurdles. I personally prefer that we spend more on scholarships (travel, accommodation and registration) rather than even further subsidizing the registration fee for all other participants. And we do indeed spend quite an amount and effort on making scholarships available to community members - without any requirement to volunteer at the conference. Given a limited budget, I can imagine that the organizers must make choices. 

I'll let the organizers respond themselves what their actual reasoning was, but given what I've seen of past Wikimania's and their budgets, I can't say I share your suggested approach to resolving this tension. 

Best,
Lodewijk

On Fri, May 31, 2019 at 7:42 PM Isarra Yos <zhorishna@gmail.com> wrote:
I'd really prefer people be volunteering for these things because they want to and they value what they're doing, not because they have to in order to do something else. It's good that those who do care to volunteer here don't need to pay the high fee on top of that, but it doesn't resolve the issue of such a high fee being there in the first place.

-I

On 31/05/2019 21:41, Jan Ainali wrote:
If you volunteer for at least 8 hours, the conference pass is free: https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/2019:Volunteer

/Jan

31 maj 2019 23:32:50 +02:00, skrev Isarra Yos <zhorishna@gmail.com>:
Are there any plans to add ticket options that are more affordable, especially for volunteers?

Even with Early Bird discount, $270 is... a lot, frankly (and after today, $375). Prior to Montreal two years ago (Cape Town last year was also similarly expensive), the registration cost of Wikimanias for Wikimedia contributors was generally in the 30-50€ range for the whole event - even Esino Lario, where food and full accommodation were included in the default ticket, also had a 'simple' ticket option skipping this that was still in the usual price range. Is there any chance we could bring this practice back? Or... something?

This isn't even just that I can't afford this (which I can't - the registration costs more than the plane ticket would), a lot of us probably aren't going to be able to. Wikimania isn't like most conferences, where attendees are being sent by their companies or organisation; many of us who would consider going are individuals. Not only do we not necessarily have any larger organisations to fund our attendance, we're largely not getting paid for any of this, either - we're donating our time to be a part of this movement, and now we're expected to pay hundreds of dollars, as community members, to attend an event that used to be specifically for the community?

This is especially going to be a major turnoff to any newcomers, as it precludes people just registering and checking it out, seeing what's up, unless they have a lot of money to throw around on things they're not sure about. And based on the conversations I've had with various newcomers over the years who have been drawn into such events (previous wikimanias, hackathons, other conferences) and been highly engaged and inspired by their experiences, this is apt to be a major loss.

I'll also note that while scholarships do resolve this issue for some people, the scholarship budget is limited, and also generally focussed on travel and accommodation costs for folks who would otherwise not be able to get there, not attendance costs for people who can get there just fine but would prefer to spend that 250€ on something else, like a couple of months of groceries. There wasn't a 'just cover the registration fee' option with the scholarship applications at all. Not that... there should be?

Basically, would it be possible to maybe get some more options here?

-I

On 24/05/2019 23:33, Isabel Cueva wrote:
Great News! The Wikimania discount registration 'early bird' price period has been extended to May 31st! Details: https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/2019:Registration

Also, don’t forget: If you want to make a presentation, run a workshop, or display a poster during Wikimania, the Call for Submissions is NOW OPEN


On Fri, May 17, 2019 at 10:22 AM Isabel Cueva <icueva@wikimedia.org> wrote:

Attention Everyone (and please spread the word):


Early Bird Registration is now open for Wikimania 2019 on our Eventbrite page.

This discount pricing ends on May 24th so don’t delay!


Online registration will be open from today to July 30th, 2019.


For more information please visit: https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/Registration


Wikimania 2019 will be held at Stockholm University, Sweden, from 14th to 18th August 2019.


The venue will host the majority of the conference, hackathon, meetups, and pre-events.


We would like to encourage all speakers and attendees to register early and book their flight and travel as soon as possible. If you have questions about visas, please visit our wiki visa page.


If you have any questions with regard to the conference, please contact:

wikimania-info@wikimedia.org


Don’t forget: If you want to make a presentation, run a workshop, or display a poster during Wikimania, the Call for Submissions is NOW OPEN



We hope you can join us in Stockholm this summer!



Isabel Cueva, WMF Event Program Manager

on behalf of the Wikimania ‘19 Organizing Team

--
Isabel Cueva
Event Program Manager


--
Isabel Cueva
Event Program Manager
 

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