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.
Maybe I'll put them on my to-do list.
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 figured. I only know that my high school holds homecoming events there, and somehow that seems to work. (I didn't realize my high school was that small...)
The Lyceum is always a possibility for some kind of lecture space - though it would be a lecture on the smaller side. Another thought - what about the Athanaeum on Prince Street? A little out of the way, and the capacity isn't enough for a large reception, but it might make a pleasant space for a lecture of some sort. And it's only a couple of blocks off King, and the free shuttle.
(I know both of these are outside shots, at best, but I thought I'd at least mention 'em.)
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).
National Harbor has some attractive qualities, says the man who hasn't gotten over there yet. But I agree - it's too far out of the way, it's not Metro-accessible, and it's a commercial space, which means we'd be paying more for its use than we would be for other locations (I suspect).
For a similar reason, I think George Mason wouldn't be the best choice. Though it's Metro-accessible, it's a ways out. Though it might not be a bad idea for housing, if the dorms are available - set it up so people stay out there, ride the train in every day, stay in DC/wherever else for the day, then return in the evening.
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.
I'd love to see something from some of the smaller countries, as well. Countering systemic bias, and all.
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.
Agreed - I'd love to do something like that. And to that end; if we get it, I'd love to see us at least try and get the cities involved. I wonder if there's a way of encouraging a city-wide Wikipedia day of some sort... (Probably not.)
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.
That's what I thought. Perhaps for a lecture, again?
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
I'm sort of booked this week - I can't do tomorrow, or Thursday, or Saturday night, and I'd rather avoid coming into town on Sunday. But if we discuss something before Sunday I can spend some time perfecting a letter to send to the various embassies.
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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--
Sarah
Stierch Consulting
Historical,
cultural & artistic research, advising &
event planning.