Subject:
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Re: Introducing and Planning .datFest
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.cad.datfest
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Date:
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Tue, 18 Jan 2000 14:00:05 GMT
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Viewed:
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1697 times
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Wow! this is one huge post! :-). Anyway I have a few comments and will try
snipping out the areas that I don't have a comment on right now.
>
> There will also be areas for groups to set up booths with information
> about their organization - such as LUGNET, LUG groups, corporations,
> and schools/universities. This can be used to introduce attendees to
> various aspects of the [online] Lego community, as well as the
> corporations and universities involved.
This sounds ambitious but you can count on NELUG for some support I am sure.
We love doing events and we would have to talk as a group about how we can help
but I am sure you can count on us for some help. I will make it a point to
bring this up at our next meeting.
I know I could bring one of my B-Wings (Which won the first LDraw Model of the
Month back in November).
>
> Todd also suggested inviting Brad Justus with LEGO Direct to attend
> the event and talk with us about the company, etc. Brad, along with
> LEGO Direct, are located in New York, so proximity to the event is A
> Good Thing in greatening our chances here.
This would be very cool although I think we need to have this well organized
before any official invitations go out. (I realize there is a chance Brad will
see this and that is fine) We just don't want to be premature about any
invitations because we don't want things falling through after an invitation
like this. We need our first official contact with LEGO to be a positive one.
>
> This event could take up a Friday evening and Saturday daytime, a
> Saturday daytime and Sunday morning, or just all day on a Saturday.
> Depending on what materials are developed and the estimated timeframe
> needed, the event could last a whole weekend.
Boy two Saturday daytime's. I don't know how we work that but it would be
interesting :-). I assume you meant the second to read Saturday evening. If
so I think that would be a good time for more casual interaction. Maybe some
soda and snacks and people could look at the booths etc.
>
> In order to pull something like this off, there needs to be tremendous
> planning and organization in many aspects of the event. I myself do
> not have near the amount of time or managerial skills required to
> organize such an event. I would like to get the ball rolling on this,
> but would appreciate it tremendously if a few of you could step up in
> certain areas where you are knowledgeable and work together to make
> this happen.
I will bring this up again latter but I don't want it to get lost in the
shuffle. One thing you need to keep in mind is Insurance. Unless we can get
The Media Lab or some other company to sponsor this we will more than likely
have to be insured before renting any hall for a public event. This is
something that needs to be a top priority if we have to get a hall on our own
because it means we will have to be official in some way and have insurance.
(Which also means everything is taxable and would probably have to file a tax
return next year as part of this offical group).
I realize this sounds like a ton of work and it is but it has to be considered
and we don't want to go through all this planning and then have an oversite
like that ruin everything.
>
>
> The next most important aspect of this event is the facilities to hold
> it. We will need to calculate the square footage needed depending on
> the attendance, number of workshops, and the number of booths that
> will be present. This is difficult to do without those numbers in
> hand - but as time goes on an estimate would be more feasible.
> Classrooms would be a nice addition to this event, so multiple
> workshops can be happening simultaneously. Here are some ideas for a
> facility:
>
> 1. Corporate Offices - A corporation with large auditorium or floor
> space for a convention which would be willing to sponsor us.
This would be good and seeing the corporation would have to be insured it is
one less hassle for us. Plus its probably free or of little cost.
>
> 2. Hotel - Many hotels have banquet rooms and meeting rooms, this is a
> possiblity.
Good idea but 1. Expensive and 2. Probably need insurance.
>
> 3. Convention Center - A convention center in the Boston area.
Again good idea but see #2 above.
>
> 4. MIT Media Lab - Again, this would be possible if they chose to
> sponsor or help out with the event.
Great idea and maybe our best hope. They are probably insured and would
probably pick up some of the costs although I am sure they would probably want
some of the proceeds.
I will add one more...
5. College of University sponsor - If MIT does not work out how about another
college or university sponsoring the event? Boston is College Town USA and my
guess is that if we looked hard enough we could get some college or university
to sponsor the event. Again this might help with Cost and the need for
Insurance.
> Advertising for the event can be done in many different ways. Todd
> and I brainstormed the following:
>
> 1. LUGNET/AucZILLA - Todd can put up advertisements on key LUGNET
> pages as well as advertise on AucZILLA auction updates.
>
> 2. ldraw.org - The front page of ldraw.org can hold information on
> datFest, as well as the official .datFest website, hosted there
>
> 3. Corporations - Corporations can advertise the event to groups which
> deal in 3D virtual modelling.
>
> 4. Toy Stores - can drum up the interest in kids who use Lego and
> would like to learn more about this exciting new way to express their
> creativity.
>
> 5. Lego Maniac's Webring - I can advertise to Webring members and put
> up information on the LMWR page.
>
> 6. MIT Media Lab - again, given their involvement in the event.
You can also count on some space on the NELUG web page.
> Some acceptable weekends are:
>
> June 9-11
> June 16-18
> June 23-25
> June 30-July 2 (attendance may be down here, 4th of July weekend)
I would not assume that it may actually help raise the attendance because then
folks with family could incorporate a trip to Boston with the event. Boston is
where the American Revolution started and it is a great place for history. So
what better time than around the 4th of July.
>
> Well, there is the summary of what needs to be done for this event to
> be a success. At this point, there is a great need for people to step
> up and organize the certain aspects of the event. The way I see it
> now, we need responsible coordinators for the following:
>
> Accounting/Fundraising
> Facilities (includes booths to be set up at event)
> Technology
> Advertising
> Workshops/Panels/Seminars
> Literature
I again I will say you need to add insurance to this list at least as a
possible need.
Now all this being said I am not sure how much time I can devote. My job
requires me to travel quite a bit and I have a lot going on right now outside
of work. If I can I will help out but I don't really have any experiance in
any of the above areas. I guess I can learn though.
Eric Kingsley
The New England LEGO Users Group
http://www.nelug.org/
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Introducing and Planning .datFest
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| (...) Great! (...) Cool! If there is some mention of MOTM stuff there, your model will be sure to be showcased :) (...) I agree 100%. I'm also going to wait to invite the Jessimans until a few more things are concrete (funding, facility, date..etc) (...) (24 years ago, 18-Jan-00, to lugnet.cad.datfest)
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