It costs a lot of money, and a lot of work, to throw the biggest party at OSCON year after year.

In some ways, I feel it's my obligation. I suspect Stonehenge is one of the top three companies in the world to be making money nearly directly from open source, so I should kick some of that back to the community. I donate to TPF, and provide the biggest kick-tail party at OSCON as examples of that.

But, as my business partners suggest, I really need to justify the money and time spent in terms of new sales. So, this year, we're looking at revenue, and at sales, and at new business, and the debate raged on for at least the past few weeks of "OSCON Party: Yes, or No?".

I'm happy to announce that as of this moment, with a few concessions from a vendor or two, we're now in the "yes" category, once again.

I can't promise balloons or live alpaca this year, but you can at least have three or four hours worth of your favorite adult beverages at a nearby drinking establishment for this year's OSCON, once again. And wearing a limited edition "OSCON 2005" T-shirt you can pick up at our booth. Once again.

Details forthcoming as always.

-- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker
Be sure to read my standard disclaimer if this is a reply.

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Re: Stonehenge Party at OSCON 2005
by cbrandtbuffalo (Deacon) on Feb 18, 2005 at 13:04 UTC
    Maybe it would help to put a little more marketing spin into the party. Don't get me wrong--it's very cool to attend a party without vendors breathing down your neck. Yes, I've been to Gartner conferences. But maybe you can do some small things to make it more clear to attendees just what services you provide. I know in past years, there are plenty of people at the party who aren't real clear on what Stonehenge does. How about:
    • Giving out a different color t-shirt to attendees who have been customers in the past. That way potential customers can start a conversation with past customers and ask about their experience.
    • Give out teaser printouts of slides from various courses.
    • Highlight some of your new course material including testing and mod_perl.
    • Come up with a 'training theme' where you ask people Perl questions at the door or during the night. If they get it right, they get something. If not, you can say, "Hey, if you had taken our XXX course, you'd know that!"

    If possible, I think you want to walk the line between a fun night and getting your message out. You want them to go back to work after OSCON and think, "We need some Perl training from Stonehenge."

    Maybe some of the other Monks have some ideas? Any MBAs out there?

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Re: Stonehenge Party at OSCON 2005
by cLive ;-) (Prior) on Feb 19, 2005 at 00:19 UTC

    Weeee ;-) I missed the last one by a day due to bad planning and thinking that I couldn't justify spending a whole week in Portland.

    Well, I'm pretty sure that myself and bassplayer will make it this year though.

    Oh, we're there for work, definitely, but without TheDamian and the party, I don't think I'd be pushing so hard to make OSCON over other conferences :) Hey, perhaps you need to have a word with Tim, since I'm sure I'm not the only one who uses the party as a tipping point - maybe O'Reilly will chip in?

    I hear you had to re-negotiate the price half way through the last one. Maybe you should set a hard limit on the number of attendees / t shirts you give out. Or something. Ack I don't know. The economy's picking up, and so is OSCON. What happens if if the cost goes up by another 50% this year? It's never nice to have to reign things in, but I can see that having to be seriously considered.

    Arghhh, I just re-read that last sentence. I guess I *am* beginning to think like a manager. Bummer.

    cLive ;-)

    ps - maybe I can get my act together earlier this year and organize a better PerlMonks meet. I'm pretty sure I can get dinner for 30-40 people if I kick my boss enough ;-)

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