Barcelona report

[Tim Ney <ten gnome org>]

Last week, I had an opportunity to meet the Barcelona hosts for GUADEC
2006 and tour the venue with Christian Schaller.  The facility is
modern, plug and play conference facility near Plaza d'España.  For the
first time, GUADEC will be co-located with a larger congress - IGC.

Background on IGC (Internet Global Congress)
Started in 1999, the IGC presented 380 papers this year, selected from
600 submissions.  IGC also has an exposition called IGC Village which
hosted 31 companies this year in a total area of 1,500 metres of
exhibition space.  Previous speakers have included Miguel de Icaza,
Richard Stallman and Irving Wladawsky-Berger. There was one day on the
schedule this year with four panel sessions on open source - business,
public administration, the information society and globalization.

GUADEC's 2006 will be the third joint conference for IGC.
The Internet Society (INET '04) and IPv6 Global Summit 

The Generalitat de Catalunya held and e-governance forum this year and
is actively promoting the use of free software in Catalunya.

Venue
Palacio de Congresos
<http://www.firabcn.es>
Plaza Espana
Barcelona

Participants
The audience for IGC is business people and public officials working in
technology. In 2005, there were 
*1,900 attendees, primarily from Barcelona and Catlunya
*471 speakers and moderators
*158 press
*75  organizers

The average attendee is at IGC for two days.
There is no significant university student participation.


Call for Papers
IGC has an on-line paper submission system.  This is available to
GUADEC.

Registration
IGC has an on-line registration system.  This is available to GUADEC.
We may also go with our own registration system and share data.  

Costs
If GUADEC organizes its own registration fees, a certain amount of
revenue will need to be made as a guarantee to cover a portion of IGC
expenses. Any additional rooms and equipment will be at additional cost
to GUADEC. Coffee breaks, if provided, will also be an additional
expense.


Timetable 
27 May, Sat. Venue available (no staffing) - GUADEC arrivals
28 May, Sun. Venue available (no staffing) - OPENING DAY GUADEC
29 May, Mon.  IGC Opening reception
30 May, Tues. First day of IGC  - 3 GUADEC sessions/3 IGC sessions
31 May, Wed.  Second day of IGC - 3 GUADEC sessions/3 IGC sessions


tim