On 1/24/2011 10:10 PM, Steve P. wrote:
I have to apologize in advance for throwing some ideas out without being able to followup on them.  Unfortunately, work is brutal right now, and I don't have the kind of energy during the week I'd need to do much beyond make suggestions.  Perhaps I'll be of more use at the weekend; hopefully I can at least send some e-mails on Sunday.

Regarding venues: I know the National Museum of Women in the Arts rents its space out - it's nice, it's fairly spacious, and it could be an interesting venue.  There's also the fact that NMWA would be an attractive option for outreach - they seem to be fairly net-savvy (being one of the few local museums that makes an attempt to keep an up-to-date blog, as well as running a database of women artists).  Perhaps the two could be bundled together in one request?  There are also one or two places in Alexandria that might be nice - I'm thinking specifically of the Torpedo Factory.  Yes, it's not directly on the Metro, but there's a free shuttle down King Street.  And Old Town has a nice atmosphere.


I hear you Steve about time this week! I think NMWA would be great, and I agree about outreach.

The Torpedo Factory is too small. I just ended a six month contracting job that interacted a lot with that venue, there isn't enough space there.

I also think we should avoid National Harbor (it's on our list). I don't have a car and there is no way I'm going to work on trying to find a way over there every freaking day (like taking a ferry or whatever).


Further regarding outreach: might it be worthwhile to begin contacting embassies and asking to see if their cultural affairs officers would be interested in some sort of partnership with Wikimania?  There's no guarantee, of course, but we might be able to raise at least some interest.


I agree. I'd like to see that actually. France, Germany - the major Wikipedia outfits. I think we can get some great stuff - maybe a party or two also at the embassies.

And a general question: are we planning on confining all of the events to one jurisdiction?  In other words, will we be contacting only DC, or only places in Virginia?  Given Metro accessibility, I think it would be nice to try and spread out a little, at least - cost considered, of course.


I'd try to spread out a little bit. I think it'd be cool to utilize the central district area for events. If we have the event in Arlington that doesn't mean we can't have events on the Mall, at the Busboys & Poets in Mt. Vernon, at some Embassies, etc. I think that's the point - to not only celebrate Wikimedia but to also celebrate OUR city.

Incidentally, I'm going to be at Artisphere for a concert on Saturday; I can take a look around and see what the venue looks like.


I saw an opera there a few weeks ago, it's a great space, I'm concerned about the size though.

When's the next meeting?


Good question. We need to get together soon. I'm really nervous about finding a venue in time and with school kicking my ass I can't devote as much time as I'd like to all of this.

Also, can we please add PJ Tabit (did the public policy talk with Sage) to the mailing list? pjtabit@gmail.com

Thanks,

Sarah


2011/1/24 Sarah Stierch <sarah@sarahstierch.com>
Thanks James,

Hi everyone - I started to throw together a document regarding finding an event space. Please edit it at will! I'm not sure if it's necessary for everyone who will be requesting venue space, but, it could be beneficial for the sake of organizing thoughts.

Having not attended an event, and having read many of the past proposals, we have a lot to do in a little amount of time. A few other things I think we should form:

-A brief history of DC and why it is important for hosting Wikimedia
-A list of potential sponsors - business for and non-profit

I have also contributed a list of hostels and a few special event ideas.

It's a start!

Sarah


On 1/24/2011 4:08 AM, James Hare wrote: 
Good morning! If you are receiving this email, it is either because
you are on the Wikimedia DC mailing list or because you gave me your
business card and so I have blind-carbon-copied you on this email. If
you have not already done so, I strongly advise you sign up for the
mailing list through
<https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-dc>.

At the Capitol City Brewery on Saturday night we decided on a 2012
bid, with 2013 remaining as an option if we do not get to host in
2012. We also decided on a list of some places to consider pursuing.
The criteria for naming a place was that if someone named it, someone
had to also be able to call them. We have our list here, on the bid
page: <http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania_2012/Bids/Washington,_D.C.>.
If you have other ideas for venues, feel free to list them, but also
take the responsibility and ask them about being a venue for Wikimania
in 2012. Considerations include being able to accommodate 600-1000
people, housing options (for instance, if we chose a university, we
would have access to dormitories), proximity to an airport (such as
with sites in Crystal City), and, of course, wireless Internet access.

If we are going to be contacting these various venues, we need to be
coordinated on our message. How should we sell ourselves? What exactly
are our demands? I suggest we discuss this on the talk page,
<http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Wikimania_2012/Bids/Washington,_D.C.>.
I suggest we have this all laid out by Friday, as I believe it was
suggested in the meetup, and then we can get to contacting. Also, are
there any updates on the sponsorship front?

If we should hold a meeting in the interim, please let us know. I'm
good for spontaneously meeting somewhere such as Starbucks in the
morning or evening -- late morning and afternoon is when I tend to
have class, so ask me and I'll let you know if I'll be able to make it
or not.

--James Hare (User:Harej)

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https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-dc


--
Sarah Stierch Consulting
Historical, cultural & artistic research, advising & event planning.
------------------------------------------------------

_______________________________________________
Wikimedia-DC mailing list
Wikimedia-DC@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-dc



_______________________________________________
Wikimedia-DC mailing list
Wikimedia-DC@lists.wikimedia.org
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-dc


--
Sarah Stierch Consulting
Historical, cultural & artistic research, advising & event planning.
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.sarahstierch.com/