Gnomedex is pretty much full-up this year. I’ve already received a few requests for “more tickets”, but have already publicly stated that I dislike the idea of opening up the overflow room. I’m interested in your arguments for overflow’ing again, pro and con. It’s going to cost us more to stream the video into the extra rooms…

Jeff Barr introduced me to Robert Steele, and I believe he’ll be kicking us off this year – and I think I’m more excited about him than I would have been with the other “keynote” possibilities: “Just want you to know that I am working toward a $2B a year Open Source Agency under diplomatic auspices that would nurture all the opens beginning with open source intelligence, open source software, and open spectrum, and quickly including open money, open culture, open society, etc.”

I’m keeping one speaking slot open for Derek Miller, who was recently diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer. God willing, if he has the energy to talk about what it’s been like sharing this experience with the world, we would be (sincerely) overjoyed. Derek’s been a gigantic Gnomedex supporter ever since it came to Seattle.

And, lastly (for now), I’ve configured a $4,167.60 MacBook Pro (that includes shipping, and hardware that could likely be purchased elsewhere for cheaper but time is OF THE ESSENCE). This unit will serve as the staging grounds for the video that will be sent out through Ustream. If you your company logo (or URL) on the big sponsor sign at the front of the hall, I’m offering this purchase in exchange.

Conference Updates

The schedule for Gnomedex never seems to fully form until the weeks leading up to the actual event. Why? Well, just because. I guess we always hope for the best – and the best is usually what comes, thanks to rabid participation from our interactive conference marketing group. If you ever have a chance to hire them, they’re the best PR firm on the planet. They don’t distribute press releases for us, however. No…

…our marketing firm is our audience, which is largely comprised of the blogosphere.

Much like last year, we haven’t issued a single press pass (so you can ask for one, but we’re not very likely to oblige). We’re on the cusp of selling out seats in the main hall again, and already the demand for more room is being heard – my inbox fills up with 10 messages after I respond to 5. Indeed, this is a wonderful time – and I cherish every moment of it. Not sure I would care to do a conference any other way, quite honestly.

Conference Marketing