[eo-announce] Everything Open 2024 - 20 Days to go.... here's a quick (long) update!

[Everything Open Announcements]

Hello Everyone!

The conference is getting very close. Evil Steve reminds me each day of 
how many days to go and today there’s 20 days to go! As they say, we are 
approaching the pointy end. Here is a summary of what has happened so 
far getting ready for the Everything Open 2024 in Gladstone.

### Oops
We just realised an email was sent implying that lunch was catered. This 
is not the case. Plenty of food vendors are nearby.

##SWAG!
We officially have 20 days left. Have you bought your tickets yet? While 
you are at it we have Swag available for purchase via Redbubble at:
https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/158192555

We have everything from mouse pads, to hats, to blankets, to t-shirts, 
to hoodies, and duvet/doona covers for sale. Someone pretty please buy 
the throw blanket! (it looks so soft)

##Tickets
Tickets are still available and will be until the last day of the 
conference. But don’t leave it until the last minute because you’re 
running out of time.

##Online
We're acutely aware of the cost of living crisis in Australia currently, 
and that going to Everything Open is a large financial outlay with 
accommodation and flights, even if our tickets are reasonably priced due 
to our generous Sponsors and dedicated volunteer organisers.  So, we're 
delighted to announce that we will be providing an Online Only option 
for those who wish to stream talks live during the conference. The 
ticket price of just $79 reflects the additional costs of providing a 
hybrid option for the three days of the conference, but we hope it makes 
Everything Open more affordable for more people.
Ticket prices are available at: 
https://2024.everythingopen.au/attend/tickets/ and connectivity details 
will be provided closer to the event.

##Buses
Although there are many ways to get to Gladstone for Everything Open 
2024, we heard from many potential Delegates that airfares between 
Brisbane (BNE) and Gladstone (GLT) were cost prohibitive, dampening 
enthusiasm to attend #EverythingOpen 2024.
While we can’t spin up a competing airline (Penguin Air, anyone?), we 
can put on a bus from Brisbane to Gladstone, and return from Gladstone 
to Brisbane, to get you to and from the conference. We are providing 
these buses for $40 each way. You can buy your bus ticket on the website 
with your conference tickets at
https://2024.everythingopen.au/dashboard/

##Accommodation
Did you know that there are several accommodation options within 100 
metres of the conference venue. The venue is right in the middle of the 
CBD with lots of eateries nearby. Check out 
https://2024.everythingopen.au/attend/travel-accommodation/#accommodation

## Stay a while
Did you know APNIC are running tutorials at the venue before and after 
the conference. Check out:

*Monday 15th - RPKI Routing Security Workshop 
https://academy.apnic.net/events?id=a0BOc000000IwVNMA0
*Friday 19th - Introduction to IPv6 Tutorial 
https://academy.apnic.net/events?id=a0BOc000000IyddMAC

Gladstone and the district has much to offer if you choose to stay 
longer.

##Keynotes
We have announced 3 amazing keynotes:

Professor Aaron Quigley from CSIRO’s Data61
Jana Dekanovska from CrowdStrike
Geoff Huston from Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC)

Our fabulous locknote will be presented by Rae Johnston. Rae was the 
first Science & Technology Editor for NITV at SBS. A multi-award-winning 
journalist and broadcaster, she has a passion for the geekier side of 
life.

##Sessions
We have some incredible speakers joining us. The conference schedule is 
now up on https://2024.everythingopen.au/schedule/. I’m sure there is 
plenty to whet your appetite.
Session A/V streaming will be available after the conference but you may 
buy a live streaming ticket. Keep an eye out for tickets for this.

##Sponsors
A HUGE shout out goes to our sponsors. Our current sponsors are:

King Penguin:
*Google (https://opensource.google/)
*ARM (https://www.arm.com)
*OpenSI (https://www.opensi.net/)

Royal Penguin:
*Red Hat (https://www.redhat.com/en/about)

And a special thanks goes to:
*The Sizzle (have you subscribed yet? You should! Here’s the link: 
https://thesizzle.com.au/),
*O’Reilly (https://www.oreilly.com/)
*CAVAL LTD (https://www.caval.edu.au)

and our auspicing organisation Linux Australia (https://linux.org.au/)

More information will be coming out VERY SOON so keep an eye out on our 
various platforms:
*Mastodon: @EverythingOpen at fosstodon.org, hashtag #EverythingOpen
*Twitter: @_everythingopen, hashtag #EverythingOpen
*LinkedIn: Everything Open 
(https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/everythingopen/)
*Facebook: Everything Open 
(https://www.facebook.com/EverythingOpenConference/)
*Announce mailing list: Everything Open Announce 
(https://lists.linux.org.au/mailman/listinfo/eo-announce)

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Sae Ra Germaine