EduGeek EDIT Conf 2013 - A Heads-up

[Dos_Box]

I know some of you have been starting to ask about this year’s conf and I feel it’s only fair we should give you a bit of a heads up as regards dates and other info to allow you to better arrange for cover or time off. Please note that we are still in the early stages of planning so everything I write here is subject to change.
The planned venue/date is going to be at the Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Club on Thursday the 30^th May 2013. A change from the past couple of years, but given that many attendees were turning up late and getting lost trying to find the last place I think moving it a mere 1 min drive from the motorway junction and hotel (10 min walk from hotel) is going to be a good move as it is very easy to find.
The hotel we recommend you stay in will still be the Ibis Preston North.

We are also planning something new for the night before. Over the past few years we have been increasingly asked to expand the conf into a 2 day event and include content that falls out of the scope of the current format. To this end we are hoping to host a smaller and more informal event the night before (evening of the 29^th May) which will hopefully meet these criteria without the need to take you out of your workplaces for 2 days, and if interest is high enough we may look at expanding the conf to make it a 2 day event.
Called ‘EduGeek After Dark’ it will be covering ‘grey hat’ subjects i.e. things you need to know about but couldn’t find out on your own.
It also means that those who arrive at the hotel later on can still come out and meet us (the venue will be VERY close to the hotel if we can secure it). The rules for this event will be:

1. It will be informal – There will be a bar and buffet
2. If you are staying at the hotel and arrive late you will still be able to get in
3. The sessions will be short
4. There shall be no Tweeting or live posting – If you are not there you will have to find out what it was like later. Think Fight Club rules
5. We shall not be announcing the subjects covered. You will have to turn up to find out!
6. Bring a laptop

If you would please also fill out the poll so we can better plan for potential attendees and those arriving the night before this will help us a lot.
Please do not post up any questions yet as we are still in the early stages of planning and as I said at the beginning it is all subject to change. Once we have secured venues and speakers etc. we shall post up the event booking page and information.

[Dos_Box]

Anyone else?

[Little-Miss]

I'm seriously wondering i should just have May as a sabbatical.... :P

[Gatt]

Ooh - I happen to be off that week - So if the Mrs hasn't got anything planned (she probably already has!) then I may be able to make it for the "Main Event" - not sure I'd get away with the 2 days!

[Dos_Box]

We will still be having a meal after the main conf. It's just that when we usually have a meal the night before it takes ages to get everyone together and we don't usually get to eat until 21:30-22:00 and many who come the night before can't stay for the second night. This way we get to make things easier for those arriving on the Wednesday evening, as well as doing something new

[Little-Miss]

*starts working out how many day's in lieu she's going to need....*

WAIT! This is in the hols!!!?

[Dos_Box]

Yup. We have to do it in the holidays as many can't get time off otherwise.

[Little-Miss]

I'm so SLOW but so PLEASED!!

[localzuk]

It took me 2 years to realise they were in holidays...

[EduTech]

Holidays?? School?? Half Term?? ;-) what's all that about these days... never heard of such time off... :| LOL

;-)

James.

[WithoutMotive]

Might be able to come this year!

[witch]

I will do my best this year but with redundancies in the house I'm not sure the train fare or fuel cost is do-able. Anyone thinking of coming from anywhere within a 60 mile radius of Dorset - can I have a lift

[SimpleSi]

Sounds like a great plan.

[GrumbleDook]

Booking my time off now ... Hope to bring more folk too.

[Sylv3r]

I'll be on my jollies on the west coast of america, so won't be able to attend this year but it sounds a great night which will fit with everyones plans.