Re: [guadec-list] Preliminary GUADEC Budget for 2007

[Thomas Wood <thos gnome org>]

Dave Neary wrote:
> Hi Thomas,
>
> Last year we had the best year ever with sponsorship raising - we got
> $105,000 more or less in sponsorship.
>
> This year, you've estimated that you'll get $195,000 and you don't yet
> have a cornerstone sponsor.

I'm not quite sure were you got those figures from. The draft 2006 
budget I was sent has about $134k for total sponsorship income (102€). 
We are budgeting for the same number of sponsors, which will bring in a 
total of $170. We already have eight confirmed sponsors, including 
several new companies. I am confident that those who have not confirmed 
but sponsored last year will also be willing to sponsor this year (we 
are missing only one or two).

> Are you sure that's realistic?
>
> Note that last year, of the gold level sponsors, we ended up negociating
> in-kind stuff alongside the money with two of them, which meant that for
> 3 Gold sponsors, we got a little over €37,000.
>
> I will again encourage you to avoid making the amalgam of food &
> accommodation with registration - you will end up spending more than you
> expect because some people will just skip town leaving you with the bill.

There is no budget for accommodation. We will be contacting local hotels 
and youth hostels to offer discounts and special offers. The only item 
we are likely to spend any money on will be lunches, and then only 
during the core days. We haven't finalised any agreement with the 
on-site catering yet, so it's possible even this item will be dropped.

> You should probably count more for the on-site expenses, things like
> taxis, hotel rooms, meals for people who are organising, and also the
> things you'll end up buying without thinking about it beforehand.

Ok, noted.

> And I'd encourage ye to spend less on marketing materials - £9,000 just
> doesn't seem like a good return on investment, and I still think the
> Lanyards should be sponsored.

Yes, I'm wondering if we separate this figure into more tangible things. 
It's too vague at the moment.

> Also, having had to arrange catering for a small group of people
> recently, £1300 seems way too low for lunch.

We wouldn't budget to buy everyone food, as like you say it's more than 
likely some people will go out for lunch.

Regards,

Thomas