Promised update, although it doesn't include anything more than what I found poking through websites over the weekend. I sent in a few "enquiry" forms at the various venues; waiting to hear back.
I've concentrated on universities, as they also provide cheap(ish!) accommodation, and they have nice lecture theatres normally with AV gear. Of course, there are plenty more dedicated conference venues around, which could be something to look into, but I'd bet they'd be more expensive. It also been suggested that we just provide a venue, and let everyone sort out their own accommodation. I'm not keen on that idea, myself.
Interestingly, many universities seem to have suprisingly small lecture theatres. I've looked for places which can seat at least 400 in one room, which has ruled out Brighton and Manchester Met.
So anyway, prices for accomm (halls of residence) and room hire:
Warick: £40 a day attendance fee :o - forget it!
Brum: £25ppn B&B, £11ppn dinner, £25 day rate , 400 seat LT £500/day (only one with hire prices on the web), not inc AV, all ex VAT
Reading: £20ppn B&B, £10ppn dinner, 400 seat LT (check? I've been in it, I swear it's bigger), website seems to suggest there's no day rate (which=no tea and biscuits :o ), not inc AV, ex VAT, management team available
Cardiff: £27pn B&B inc VAT, dunno about dinner, 460 seat LT, no day rate info, management team availabe
Manchester: Upto 1,000 seats (not that I anticipate needing that...), day rate £25-£30, no accomm cost.
I'm guessing, but don't know for sure, that everyone pays the day rates, and on-site accomm doesn't include that. But hey, one can hope... Should find out for sure in a day or two.
If people think I'm way off track here, please tell me!
Dan
NB, I tried to send this earlier, but the mailing list told me I wasn't a member. I think they're having technical troubles. Anyway, I rejoined...
Promised update, although it doesn't include anything more than what I found poking through websites over the weekend. I sent in a few "enquiry" forms at the various venues; waiting to hear back.
I've concentrated on universities, as they also provide cheap(ish!) accommodation, and they have nice lecture theatres normally with AV gear. Of course, there are plenty more dedicated conference venues around, which could be something to look into, but I'd bet they'd be more expensive. It also been suggested that we just provide a venue, and let everyone sort out their own accommodation. I'm not keen on that idea, myself.
Interestingly, many universities seem to have suprisingly small lecture theatres. I've looked for places which can seat at least 400 in one room, which has ruled out Brighton and Manchester Met.
So anyway, prices for accomm (halls of residence) and room hire:
Warick: £40 a day attendance fee :o - forget it!
Brum: £25ppn B&B, £11ppn dinner, £25 day rate , 400 seat LT £500/day (only one with hire prices on the web), not inc AV, all ex VAT
Reading: £20ppn B&B, £10ppn dinner, 400 seat LT (check? I've been in it, I swear it's bigger), website seems to suggest there's no day rate (which=no tea and biscuits :o ), not inc AV, ex VAT, management team available
Cardiff: £27pn B&B inc VAT, dunno about dinner, 460 seat LT, no day rate info, management team availabe
Manchester: Upto 1,000 seats (not that I anticipate needing that...), day rate £25-£30, no accomm cost.
I'm guessing, but don't know for sure, that everyone pays the day rates, and on-site accomm doesn't include that. But hey, one can hope... Should find out for sure in a day or two.
If people think I'm way off track here, please tell me!
Dan
On 8/15/05, Dan Grey dangrey@gmail.com wrote:
NB, I tried to send this earlier, but the mailing list told me I wasn't a member. I think they're having technical troubles. Anyway, I rejoined...
Thanks for doing this, Dan. (I got both emails, by the way.) I don't know much about pricings, but I think the rooms in Frankfurt were 3 (or was it 6?) k per day, so that Birmingham price seems pretty reasonable. It'd be nice to get a few of those prices for the lecture theatres so we can compare. Would it be an idea to get a rundown of this year's prices from the wikimania-l list? I've set up [[m:Wikimania 2005 - lessons learned]] which covers other areas but maybe there should be another page for finance info? The more info we can get in advance (and this goes for all other bids) the better chance we have of pulling it off as well or even better :)
Cormac
On 15/08/05, Cormac Lawler cormaggio@gmail.com wrote:
theatres so we can compare. Would it be an idea to get a rundown of this year's prices from the wikimania-l list? I've set up [[m:Wikimania 2005 - lessons learned]] which covers other areas but maybe there should be another page for finance info? The more info we can get in advance (and this goes for all other bids) the better chance we have of pulling it off as well or even better :)
It'd certainly be vevery useful to know how much Frankfurt cost; it'd give us a baseline to compare against.
On 8/16/05, Andrew Gray shimgray@gmail.com wrote:
It'd certainly be vevery useful to know how much Frankfurt cost; it'd give us a baseline to compare against.
Delphine is putting together the final budget details from Frankfurt, so this information should be available soon. It's expected this will show we were well within our 100, 000 euros budget.
Angela.
On 8/15/05, Cormac Lawler cormaggio@gmail.com wrote: [..] I don't
know much about pricings, but I think the rooms in Frankfurt were 3 (or was it 6?) k per day, so that Birmingham price seems pretty reasonable.
To set the record straight, this figure is totally inaccurate, I've just found out from http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Wikimania_2006/Planning
It'd be nice to get a few of those prices for the lecture
theatres so we can compare. Would it be an idea to get a rundown of this year's prices from the wikimania-l list?
This still stands though. When the budget is published it'll be easier to tell what kind of value we're being quoted.
Cormac
Today's update:
Working on the bais of 400 delegates, up to 100 media, accommodation for 300 1x 400 seat LT 1x 100 seat LT + smaller rooms 3 days August 4-6 2006
Cardiff: 460 seat LT: hire: £1,000 a day+VAT, LT is in (new) building by itself, foyer, IT, possible stuff in other buildings nearby - 10min walk away :-/. This is a problem, considering we need conference rate: £23.50ppn B&B inc VAT NO DAY RATE=CHEAP!!!
Reading: No contact details (!!), brochure requested at weekend, waiting on the post
Manchester: Reynolds building: 21 July - 18 August being refurbished, fully booked onwards, 7-9 July provisionally booked, may be released, no other dates going. Day rate: £30ppd Accomm: £36ppn B&B inc VAT, Breakout rooms: £120 per room ex vat. Basically a non-runner :-( (Remember MMU is too small).
Brum: No-one answering phone this afternoon :-(. Will try again tomorrow
Liverpool: 500 flat floor room with stage AV - all booked out for weddings!, alternative is city campus: 20min drive away from halls of residence. Bit of non-starter, sadly, unless we can lay on buses (=££££).
In Other News: on the foundation-l list it's been "announced" that final selection will not be made until 1 November. This will be too late to book *anywhere* in the UK. Hmmm.
Any thoughts, suggestions on what I'm doing greatfully appreciated as per usual
Dan
On 8/16/05, Dan Grey dangrey@gmail.com did some really good work:
Hi Dan, thanks a million for doing all this. On Manchester venues, have you had a look at the University of Manchester? http://www.conference.manchester.ac.uk/meetingmanchester/meetingandaccommoda... I haven't seen the Reynolds building in their list. And have you seen Arwel Parry's list of suggestions on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:UK_Wikipedians%27_notice_board#W... ? Some interestign ideas - although on a different scale. Also, if we're worried about leaving it too late, maybe the best thing to do is to find our best option early and then provisionally book it, in advance of the wikimania committee decision? And finally, the Wikimania conference itself was over three days but there was a whole hacking convention and minor meetings beforehand so we might be looking at a Wikimedia presence needing to be facilitated on-site (or nearby) for a week or so. Maybe James F (who was on staff) could fill us in on some relevant details?
Cormac
On 16/08/05, Cormac Lawler cormaggio@gmail.com wrote:
Hi Dan, thanks a million for doing all this. On Manchester venues, have you had a look at the University of Manchester? http://www.conference.manchester.ac.uk/meetingmanchester/meetingandaccommoda... I haven't seen the Reynolds building in their list.
It was the University of Manchester Conference Department that I was talking to today. They said the only place that could handle 400-500 delegates is the Reynolds Building, which is on Sackville Street, not Oxford Road :-). The biggest LT on Oxford Road is only a 244 seater :-(.
They did also suggest that Fallowfield Road is a possibility, although it was described to me as "being a bit run-down" :-). I'm consulting further with them on this one; I'll let you know as soon as I get something back.
And have you seen Arwel Parry's list of suggestions on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:UK_Wikipedians%27_notice_board#W... ? Some interestign ideas - although on a different scale.
Appear to be mainly hotels, where you are looking at 3x the cost of accommodation. But if Arwel can get numbers and they're competitive, great!
Also, if we're worried about leaving it too late, maybe the best thing to do is to find our best option early and then provisionally book it, in advance of the wikimania committee decision?
That's a good idea! I'm a bit worried they'll want a deposit, but we'll certainly give it a try.
And finally, the Wikimania conference itself was over three days but there was a whole hacking convention and minor meetings beforehand so we might be looking at a Wikimedia presence needing to be facilitated on-site (or nearby) for a week or so. Maybe James F (who was on staff) could fill us in on some relevant details?
Apparently any future "hacker's conventions" are going to be held seperately. However it shouldn't an issue to hire a suite of smaller rooms (all unis are filled with them, after all) for a few days before hand. It's getting a slot in the large-capacity LTs which is the main concern.
Thanks for your input Cormac :-)
Dan
talking to today. They said the only place that could handle 400-500 delegates is the Reynolds Building, which is on Sackville Street, not
They did also suggest that Fallowfield Road is a possibility, although it was described to me as "being a bit run-down" :-). I'm consulting
FYI, I've been to one conference using the Reynolds building - annual OUSA conference - and we used accommodation a very short walk away. Good facilities generally, although quality of the food in their refectory left something to be desired I felt!
I've also used the student halls at Fallowfield twice for a convention (last year and in 2000, iirc). Good on the rooms and break-out facilities (and, tbh, it isn't as bad as "run-down" suggests) though I don't recall any space large enough for 400-500 at a time, but that might just be because we only needed a space for 200 or so. Fallowfield could easily accomodate any number who might turn up though and both those uses were rooms for seven days at the flat rate
Alison
On 8/16/05, VampWillow wiki@vampwillow.com wrote:
talking to today. They said the only place that could handle 400-500 delegates is the Reynolds Building, which is on Sackville Street, not
They did also suggest that Fallowfield Road is a possibility, although it was described to me as "being a bit run-down" :-). I'm consulting
FYI, I've been to one conference using the Reynolds building - annual OUSA conference - and we used accommodation a very short walk away. Good facilities generally, although quality of the food in their refectory left something to be desired I felt!
I've also used the student halls at Fallowfield twice for a convention (last year and in 2000, iirc). Good on the rooms and break-out facilities (and, tbh, it isn't as bad as "run-down" suggests) though I don't recall any space large enough for 400-500 at a time, but that might just be because we only needed a space for 200 or so. Fallowfield could easily accomodate any number who might turn up though and both those uses were rooms for seven days at the flat rate
Alison
I live in Manchester so i could drop by these places - although not before I finish this <expletive deleted> dissertation. But thanks for the feedback VampWillow - it's good to hear back from actual past conferences :-)
And back to Dan, I don't understand there not being a sizeable hall on Oxford Road - there's plenty listed on that link I gave you, including the Roscoe theatre (~500) and the Whitworth hall (~650) with a few combinations of different rooms/spaces. Or is everything already booked? I'd be surprised if so. I mentioned somewhere that my lecturers used to organise an annual conference in the University of Manchester, so I'll have to pick their brains about this..
Cormac
On 8/16/05, VampWillow wiki@vampwillow.com wrote:
I've also used the student halls at Fallowfield twice for a convention (last year and in 2000, iirc). Good on the rooms and break-out facilities (and, tbh, it isn't as bad as "run-down" suggests) though I don't recall any space large enough for 400-500 at a time, but that might just be because we only needed a space for 200 or so. Fallowfield could easily accomodate any number who might turn up though and both those uses were rooms for seven days at the flat rate
On 16/08/05, Cormac Lawler cormaggio@gmail.com wrote:
I don't understand there not being a sizeable hall on Oxford Road - there's plenty listed on that link I gave you, including the Roscoe theatre (~500) and the Whitworth hall (~650) with a few combinations of different rooms/spaces. Or is everything already booked?
I'm rather suprised too. Maybe they are solid booked... either way, I think I'll call them again tomorrow to discuss this and Fallowfield Hall.
Dan
On 16/08/05, Cormac Lawler cormaggio@gmail.com wrote: Stuff
Actually I'm wondering if there wasn't a bit of mis-communication, as I said we were expecting 400 delegates and 100 media. I was told Reynolds was the only place that could handle *500* - but if we're willing to consider LTs that only seat *400*, ie not let journalists into the keynotes :-), then Roscoe (474) and Crawford (394) become viable options.
However I think we have to bear in mind the cost - we're looking at £60-70 per person per day at Manchester, while Cardiff was less than half that. (But Cardiff had some issues that may well rule it out. If anyone lives nearby and could check it out...)
We also need to investigate *exactly* what the transport links are like - what trans-Atlantic and budget airlines fly from their respective airports etc.
(This is quite complicated, isn't it??)
We could, of course, submit two bids - one cheap and OK and the other a bit pricier but fantastic.
Anyway I'll keep chasing and who knows, Brum and Reading might through up something interesting too.
Dan
On 8/16/05, Dan Grey dangrey@gmail.com wrote:
(This is quite complicated, isn't it??)
'Tis indeed - so I set up a UK bid page so we can throw all this info there rather than spread over mailing lists and various pages.
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania_2006/UK_bid
(Not that we should abandon this thread, mind)
Cormac
Today's update
Lol, I was looking around Manchester on Google Maps (trying to figure out where the Fallowfield Campus is) when I noticed a large campus belonging to the Univeristy of Salford.
They have a 500 seat LT for only £750+VAT/day (the Chapman Building), which is very reasonable, together with a 200 seat LT and plenty of smaller rooms. They also have a low day rate at £21+VAT. However they can only accommodate 248 people on site :-(. I've rung them and they are putting together a quote for us, and will e-mail me it.
I also managed to get through to Brum (eventually), only to be told one organiser was on holiday and the other was in a meeting for the rest of the day. Will try *again* tomorrow...
Finally, Reading got back to me by e-mail (*still* no phone number, lol!). They can offer a newly-refurbished building including 400 and 150 seat LTs, lots of computer rooms and class rooms, coffee bar, full AV gear, WiFi etc *in the same building* + all the accommodation we want right next door. No prices for room hire in the e-mail though, so I've asked for a quote. But as they offer the cheapest accommodation they are looking strong at the moment.
Dan
On 8/17/05, Dan Grey dangrey@gmail.com wrote:
Today's update
Lol, I was looking around Manchester on Google Maps (trying to figure out where the Fallowfield Campus is) when I noticed a large campus belonging to the Univeristy of Salford.
They have a 500 seat LT for only £750+VAT/day (the Chapman Building), which is very reasonable, together with a 200 seat LT and plenty of smaller rooms. They also have a low day rate at £21+VAT. However they can only accommodate 248 people on site :-(. I've rung them and they are putting together a quote for us, and will e-mail me it.
Yes, I was just looking at them this morning, and posted their web details on the [[m:Wikimania 2006/UK bid]] page. The photos looked a little bit dowdy but I can always go over and have a look. It's also very well connected to the centre. On accommodation, that's not bad, and there are other hostels in Manchester, one very good one in Picadilly Gardens, (Hatters, capacity 185) who I've already been on to. There's no reason we couldn't organise a bus system ourselves shuttling people around if needs be, although easy walking distance will always be the optimum choice.
I also managed to get through to Brum (eventually), only to be told one organiser was on holiday and the other was in a meeting for the rest of the day. Will try *again* tomorrow...
:-)
Finally, Reading got back to me by e-mail (*still* no phone number, lol!). They can offer a newly-refurbished building including 400 and 150 seat LTs, lots of computer rooms and class rooms, coffee bar, full AV gear, WiFi etc *in the same building* + all the accommodation we want right next door. No prices for room hire in the e-mail though, so I've asked for a quote. But as they offer the cheapest accommodation they are looking strong at the moment.
That's great. You're still going to have to sell it to me on location though - I know you've already put it down as a "con" - but I'm really thinking *transport*. But thanks for all this Dan :-)
Cormac
On 17/08/05, Cormac Lawler cormaggio@gmail.com wrote:
That's great. You're still going to have to sell it to me on location though - I know you've already put it down as a "con" - but I'm really thinking *transport*.
Transport is fairly good to Reading, especially when you bear in mind that Wikimania attendees (wikimaniacs?!) come from all over the world - having a dedicated fast bus to/from Heathrow every ten minutes is rather good. Plus it's only 30mins from central London by non-stop high speed train. There's also direct trains to/from Brum and Manc (and even Edinburgh), although they're run by Virgin XC :-).
Dan
On 8/17/05, Dan Grey dangrey@gmail.com wrote:
Transport is fairly good to Reading, especially when you bear in mind that Wikimania attendees (wikimaniacs?!)
Yes, I already have a list of Wikimaniacs on my en: user page - better than Wikipedofiles :-)
come from all over the world
- having a dedicated fast bus to/from Heathrow every ten minutes is
rather good. Plus it's only 30mins from central London by non-stop high speed train. There's also direct trains to/from Brum and Manc (and even Edinburgh), although they're run by Virgin XC :-).
That's great! So what can Reading boast of, culturally - besides the music festival? Or are they perhaps compatible, time-wise?
Cormac
Manchester have got back to me, I'll just copy and paste:
Bit from mail from yesterday (the next part won't make sense without it):
Based on the outline you have given, we may be able to accommodate this event on our Fallowfield Campus on the 22-24 August or 29-31 August 2006, if you need a set up day beforehand we could offer the 21 August for the earlier dates, but for the later dates, we would have to use the 29 August as a set up day and move the 3 day conference itself to the 30, 31 August and 1 Sept.
Today's mail (I asked for more about the Oxford Road and Fallowfield sites):
Hi Dan
The dates I gave you in my previous email relate to Owens Park, which is part of the Fallowfield campus, and these are the only dates they still have available but given that you have corporate clients attending [I didn't say this! - Dan], this may not be the most suitable venue for you as meeting rooms are more informal, certainly not purpose-built facilities.
Roscoe and Crawford House have purpose-built lecture theatres, but the foyer areas in these 2 buildings are quite restricted so not really suitable for sizeable catering or exhibition space, and unfortunately, the Schuster building, which we would usually offer together with Roscoe is due to have some work done next summer. Also the Oxford Road campus does not have overnight accommodation on site so you would need to consider bussing people from accommodation we may be able to offer in our halls on other campuses or any hotels you may use.
Not sure if this makes anything clearer for you. Please call me if you are unsure.
Jane
On 8/17/05, Dan Grey dangrey@gmail.com wrote:
Manchester have got back to me, I'll just copy and paste:
Bit from mail from yesterday (the next part won't make sense without it):
Based on the outline you have given, we may be able to accommodate this event on our Fallowfield Campus on the 22-24 August or 29-31 August 2006, if you need a set up day beforehand we could offer the 21 August for the earlier dates, but for the later dates, we would have to use the 29 August as a set up day and move the 3 day conference itself to the 30, 31 August and 1 Sept.
Today's mail (I asked for more about the Oxford Road and Fallowfield sites):
Hi Dan
The dates I gave you in my previous email relate to Owens Park, which is part of the Fallowfield campus, and these are the only dates they still have available but given that you have corporate clients attending [I didn't say this! - Dan], this may not be the most suitable venue for you as meeting rooms are more informal, certainly not purpose-built facilities.
Roscoe and Crawford House have purpose-built lecture theatres, but the foyer areas in these 2 buildings are quite restricted so not really suitable for sizeable catering or exhibition space, and unfortunately, the Schuster building, which we would usually offer together with Roscoe is due to have some work done next summer. Also the Oxford Road campus does not have overnight accommodation on site so you would need to consider bussing people from accommodation we may be able to offer in our halls on other campuses or any hotels you may use.
Not sure if this makes anything clearer for you. Please call me if you are unsure.
Jane _______________________________________________ Wikimediauk-l mailing list Wikimediauk-l@Wikimedia.org http://mail.wikipedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l
Owen's Park is a bit up and down - postgrad section is nice and leafy; the rest is a typical crappy 60's-built Uni building. However, VampWillow said she was at a conference there and it wasn't too bad. And if they can cater for our numbers, we could possibly tailor it more to our needs. It won't be wireless though - we'd have to set that up from scratch - and I'm not sure about catering (although if they're advertising it as a conference venue there must be something..)
Anyway, I'm rambling - I'd be happy to check out these locations in Manchester - but I'd really prefer to leave this until my dissertation is done, which will be in another two weeks or so. We should have a clearer picture of where we stand with our various options then too. How's that sound?
Cormac
Heh, slight technical problem. Reading's lovely big glossy brochure arrived today, all very interesting... and there's just one teeny tiny snag.
No internet.
Reading uni's internet is provided by JANET, and its use is *strictly* confined to HE matters. According to the brochure, the only alternative is to rent a phone line then dial into an ISP(!!). I am, frankly, amazed that an organisation can advertise itself as being the ideal location for flashy conferences yet can't provide internet access.
I'm also slightly worried that this will apply to any UK uni, seeing as most/all of them use JANET. I'm e-mailing everyone to find out...
Dan
On 19/08/05, Dan Grey dangrey@gmail.com wrote:
I'm also slightly worried that this will apply to any UK uni, seeing as most/all of them use JANET. I'm e-mailing everyone to find out...
Whilst all universities use JANET, a lot don't use it in residential buildings - I'm in university accomodation just now, but as far as I know the provided network connection is really going through Demon. So this may get confusing...
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1
Andrew Gray wrote:
On 19/08/05, Dan Grey dangrey@gmail.com wrote:
I'm also slightly worried that this will apply to any UK uni, seeing as most/all of them use JANET. I'm e-mailing everyone to find out...
Whilst all universities use JANET, a lot don't use it in residential buildings - I'm in university accomodation just now, but as far as I know the provided network connection is really going through Demon. So this may get confusing...
OTOH, some get especial dispensations to use JANET for residential access, either because they pay for it (as Warwick does), or because, well, because (as with Oxford and Cambridge, AIUI).
Yours, - -- James D. Forrester Wikimedia : [[W:en:User:Jdforrester|James F.]] E-Mail : james@jdforrester.org IM (MSN) : jamesdforrester@hotmail.com
Birmingham Uni uses JANET. I wouldn't say it is extremely well geared for international conferences however.
You might have more luck with the major hotels in the Birmingham area (Hagley Road).
I would recommend the International Convention Center due to its facilities and location: http://www.theicc.co.uk (It hosted the first G8 summit in 1998)
It may be pricey, but we do have to think of numbers. This year's was attended by approximately 350 people, and we may have to consider that the next one will be attended by 500+ people. Maybe more considering the UK's addiction to WP.
Dan Grey wrote:
Heh, slight technical problem. Reading's lovely big glossy brochure arrived today, all very interesting... and there's just one teeny tiny snag.
No internet.
Reading uni's internet is provided by JANET, and its use is *strictly* confined to HE matters. According to the brochure, the only alternative is to rent a phone line then dial into an ISP(!!). I am, frankly, amazed that an organisation can advertise itself as being the ideal location for flashy conferences yet can't provide internet access.
I'm also slightly worried that this will apply to any UK uni, seeing as most/all of them use JANET. I'm e-mailing everyone to find out...
Dan
Reading has just told me that we would be able to use the JANET high-speed internet network after all (despite their literature saying the exact opposite). So that puts it right back in the frame... if anyone is still interested in going for this :-).
Costs (all ex VAT): Standard single room including breakfast: £25 ppn Morning+afternoon tea/coffee/biscuits and buffet lunch: £28.60 ppd Dinner: £11 ppd 24hr delegate rate (includes all of above): £64 ppn 400 seat LT with full AV: £700/day (0900-1800) 244 seat LT with full AV: £350/day 124 seat LT with full AV: £300/day Smaller rooms ( <50 seats), full AV: £100/day (no VAT applicable) Free poster exhibition space
All on one single compact campus. The 400 seater is wonderful theatre, recently refurbished (I've been in it). Transport is very good - high speed rail to London, Manchester & beyond, direct 40min coach to Heathrow, direct train to Gatwick (90mins, iirc).
Thoughts? We should at least submit this as a bid, yeah? (I see no reason why we can't make more than one bid per country, if people have other plans.)
Dan
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Dan Grey wrote:
[Snip details]
Thoughts? We should at least submit this as a bid, yeah?
Yes, it looks very promising.
(I see no reason why we can't make more than one bid per country, if people have other plans.)
Indeed.
Yours sincerely, - -- James D. Forrester Wikimedia : [[W:en:User:Jdforrester|James F.]] E-Mail : james@jdforrester.org IM (MSN) : jamesdforrester@hotmail.com
At 10:09 +0100 13/9/05, Dan Grey wrote:
Reading has just told me that we would be able to use the JANET high-speed internet network after all (despite their literature saying the exact opposite). So that puts it right back in the frame... if anyone is still interested in going for this :-).
Costs (all ex VAT): Standard single room including breakfast: £25 ppn Morning+afternoon tea/coffee/biscuits and buffet lunch: £28.60 ppd Dinner: £11 ppd 24hr delegate rate (includes all of above): £64 ppn 400 seat LT with full AV: £700/day (0900-1800) 244 seat LT with full AV: £350/day 124 seat LT with full AV: £300/day Smaller rooms ( <50 seats), full AV: £100/day (no VAT applicable) Free poster exhibition space
All on one single compact campus. The 400 seater is wonderful theatre, recently refurbished (I've been in it). Transport is very good - high speed rail to London, Manchester & beyond, direct 40min coach to Heathrow, direct train to Gatwick (90mins, iirc).
Thoughts? We should at least submit this as a bid, yeah? (I see no reason why we can't make more than one bid per country, if people have other plans.)
I think this all looks excellent. I will put the prices for all rooms up on the page today. They are very similar.
No VAT for room hire, but VAT applies to bed and breakfast accommodation. Yes, VAT is the like that. Crazy huh?
Is the 400 seater the largest that Reading has to offer?
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania_2006/Planning
suggests "400-600 people".
I guess the people who want to support the UK bids can offer two venues (Reading and East London) and work on both until one gets eliminated.
As noted elsewhere, these bids could roll forward to 2007 very easily, if Toronto wins.
Gordon
wikimediauk-l@lists.wikimedia.org