Living in close vicinity to Torpedo Factory: that's a no-go. Not enough access, not enough infrastructure in the area to support people (closest real hotels are down at the Metro).  Too many people. 

I'd think something like GW or Georgetown Law might be a good option. We might also be able to ask NMAI or SAAM if they'd be willing to donate space (and would be a good idea, since I expect GLAM stuff to feature heavily at Wikimania this year).

-Dan


On Jan 24, 2011, at 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.

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.

Yet more regarding outreach: what about educational nonprofits?  There are enough out there, and I'm sure one or two of them would be willing to help with sponsorship - something like Wikimania would be right up their collective alley.  I'm not sure, but I may know a contact or two through my choir (I still haven't sorted out what everyone does yet...)

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.

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.

When's the next meeting?

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