[Linux-aus] LCA2014 update update - what can we do to reduce workload?

[Joshua Hesketh]

Hi Jon,

Hopefully the arrangement we have negotiated with the agent will be able 
to suit your needs and give you control over your itinerary.

Basically the arrangement I iterated to the agency is that we will 
provide a list of names and dates with their departure and destination 
cities. They will then work out a quote for getting the traveller more 
or less directly between those locations. Once we approve this the agent 
will then discuss directly with the traveller the logistics what they 
would like to do (much like they would any client of theirs). Travellers 
are welcome to make any arrangements they like with the agent (eg dates 
etc) but if they differ from being somewhat direct (eg they'd like a 
layover somewhere) then the traveller pays the difference from what was 
originally quoted to us (and the agency should be able to invoice both 
the traveller and us fairly).

I hope this makes sense. Clearly this year will be a bit of a trial run 
but so far we've had very positive experiences. We've used the agency 
for ghosts, zookeepr hackfest and PyCon AU travellers with no fuss.

Cheers,
Josh

On 05/09/12 01:53, Jonathan Corbet wrote:
> I hope nobody minds too much if I raise one little selfish concern...
>
>> LA now has a relationship with a
>> travel agent who is able to do all of this work and then send LA a single
>> invoice at the end - the LCA teams now just need to put the speakers in
>> touch with the travel agent and they’re done.
> As one of those obnoxious speakers who has to be flown all over the world,
> I have truly come to dread the words "our travel agent will arrange a
> flight for you."  I always end up going several rounds with such people
> before it's possible to come up with an itinerary that maximizes my
> chances of actually arriving on time and in a condition to give a coherent
> talk.  Those of us who do a lot of this are happy (OK, willing) to go
> cheap, but control over the details makes a huge difference; I sure hope
> it will remain possible to make my own arrangements.
>
> Thanks,
>
> jon
>
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