[Eg-oversight-board] Evergreen Conference 2014 budget

[Ben Hyman]

> That said, given the wherewithal, I would prefer reducing the base
> registration fee over comping speakers.
> 
+1. I would support the EOB creating a reserve and process to perhaps subsidize those in need. Beyond that - until someone can show me how our conferences can afford to comp speakers - I'd not be in favour of doing so. The conference fees are really not insane. Its about equity and fairness - everyone who can pay, should pay, in my view - speaker or not. Adjust with annual re-evaluation.

>> One other comment from a sponsor this year was some surprise that there
>> was no space for vendor tables... just as a heads-up, I don't know if
>> that really ends up being a revenue generator if you also have to rent
>> the space from the facility.
> 
> I think the decision to not have vendor tables was influenced by the
> venue this year, but Ben can speak better to that.  I think offering
> vendor tables will make it easier to attract sponsorships, but if a
> venue isn't suited to it, I think this conference has shown that
> tables aren't absolutely necessary.

Correct - our choice of venue effectively ruled out a traditional tradeshow. Or was it our choice to emphasize the community conversation that lead to this venue, which effectively ruled out a trade show? Both are true. Regardless, we more than doubled sponsorship revenue over 2012, according to my records. Bottom line: trade shows are not essential revenue generators. Beyond tradeshows, there are other ways to effectively capture exhibitor participation (e.g., note that many conference sponsors are actually participating in the conference program; we encouraged them to do so, even if just a lightning talk). I'm jazzed to look around the AP Hall and see all of the sponsors in the room, not outside it.

I'd like to see the EOB maximizing the local planning decision scope, not restricting it. Effective oversight, essentially.