[GTALUG] Prompting the return of In-Person events.

[bitmap]

Hi, I have never been to an online meetup because I don't really enjoy the format. I would like to go to an IRL meetup. 

I used to plan events like this but haven't done so for a while so my rolodex is not up to date.  Assuming $0 cost is the goal, this is where I would start to look:
- one of the community maker spaces or hack spaces
- if someone is a university student, or if there is a related club or association that would be willing, they have lots of rooms unused in the evenings and can easily be booked; but long term it can become annoying for various reasons
- back rooms or sections of bars or coffee shops (this is usually free to the organization but obviously there is a cost borne by individual attendees)
- look at events held by similar groups and see what venues they are using; consider contacting them for advice as they have likely been through this whole process and will be able to narrow things down

karen's question about the requirements is relevant. non exhaustively can think about
- size of group. you obviously want to have enough space for everyone. but if you book a commercial space, they are expecting that you will bring a certain amount of business so you can't over-estimate
- expected time/duration of meetings (including any set up or tidying at the end)
- technical requirements: wifi, power outlets/extensions, projector/screen...? audio out? do you want to do a hybrid IRL/online meeting or are these IRL only?
- tables, chairs other furniture? do people need to set up any gadgets for talks or demos? some people can't sit on the ground.
- bathrooms: distance, stairs to get get there, single occupancy, baby change station, generally being well maintained, accessibility features like size rails etc
- ambient noise/music, acoustics, lighting
- food/drinks: are you wanting to bring? have it available for purchase? 
- need a private space or ok to have randoms in same area?
- children: people have children they might want to bring with them. a park might be better for some age groups than a maker space where a lot of tools are sitting around
- atmosphere and venue-inherent aspects: some people are not comfortable in venues where alcohol is served. parks can be uncomfortable with asthma/allergies.  places give a vibe that is offputting to some people; eg are you ok with meeting in a church?. commercial establishments can be unfriendly to people who don't have money to drop on food/drinks. 
- weather contingencies
- stairs, ramps, elevators, small doors, uneven surfaces and other considerations to getting into meeting space
- vehicle parking, transit, pedestrian and bike parking

There is no perfect venue for all purposes. Need to consider what is needed. 

It's worthwhile to make an effort for the accessibility stuff even if no currently active members have known needs because otherwise those people will never even try to show up and don't know who you are missing. 

But at minimum might want to ask if anyone who is currently interested in attending has any firm needs such (but not limited to) as listed above. Make known a specific person who can be notified privately in case they don't want to broadcast their business for the whole list. 

On Wed, Jul 10, 2024, at 3:50 PM, Scott Sullivan via talk wrote:
> TL;DR
> 
> I'd like to get a temperature of the room for other folks appetite for 
> the return of in person meetings / events.
> Pleases chime in so that leadership can see what demand may exist that 
> is being unmet.
> 
> ---
> 
> What are the barriers to returning to in-person?
> 
> How as a community can we help to make this happen?
> 
> Is this something the community still desires?
> 
> Are there supplemental events that can happen outside of the main 
> talk-oriented meeting, like a pub afternoon / night?
> 
> 
> GTALUG has endured for nearly four decades now, I was privileged to be 
> part of that leadership for half of it. Stepping away in the years 
> before pandemic, and returning only for a year in the wake of Chris's 
> passing to help the board.
> 
> For me, the value of GTALUG was the long tail of social interactions 
> that came out of the in-person meetings and events. Little side bars on 
> niche subjects, getting to talk with fellow folks about their choices of 
> software, hardware or latest gadgets. Get into all the details and 
> reaffirmations of friends and colleagues.  Join a group meal ahead of 
> the meetings, and staying late at a pub afterward. All activities that 
> can't happen in a conference call. There were also the special events, 
> like Linux in the Park. Meetups at conventions and trade shows, or even 
> running a booth where it made sense.
> 
> The pandemic changed a lot. Old venues have locked down, and plenty of 
> folks have legitimate reasons to remain cautious. But what hasn't 
> changed is the desire and need for that in-person experience and 
> affirmation of community. I've been speaking with Alan, Gord, Evan and 
> others about this void that hasn't been closed yet. I'm aware it's a 
> topic of discussion at the leadership level. So to the questions above, 
> let's bring this out where we as a community can come together to ask 
> and answer.
> 
> -- 
> Scott Sullivan
> 
> ---
> Post to this mailing list talk at gtalug.org
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> 
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