[Cbr2021] Hybrid conference versus online only justification

[Paul Wayper]

On 22/2/21 9:14 pm, James Iseppi via CBR2021 wrote:
> Hi Rob,
>
> While I didn’t attend the entire meeting, from what I gathered the majority of the people attending wanted to do a Hybrid conference, while their were only two (yourself included) that said that we should not. From that perspective, I think we as the presumptive team need some convincing that what LA and yourself are proposing (an online only event) is something we want to run.

I feel this is another way of essentially stating the reason that we didn't
run LCA 2021: that this team signed on with the vision to bring to Canberra a
physical conference with physical attendees.

Let me throw some of my ideas as to why I think aiming for a hybrid
conference, if not a physical-only conference, is possible and reasonable.

  * On the pandemic point: Immunisations have started in USA, UK, Australia,
    and many other countries.  They have ten months before delegates would
    have to be here, and five months before we have to announce the actual
    format of the conference and start seeking keynotes and presenters.  I
    feel that's plenty of time for a majority of the population to be
    immunised and to provide herd immunity to prevent further spread of
    SARS-CoV-2.
  * Every other LCA has been physical - and almost all have basically been
    physical _only_ - i.e. no live streams, no questions taken from online
    forums; the online presence has mostly been stuff that the conference
    itself _hasn't_ organised.  It is that precedent that I'd like to follow. 
  * No other LCA has ever been seen to suffer from not having a 'hybrid'
    format and requiring physical presence to enjoy.  It has never been seen
    to be a lack, and though a few conferences have organised a few online
    events (CtF games, blog competitions, etc.) they have never been required
    - either by LA or the organisers.
  * The online presence is always a distant second to being in person.  No
    body language, no verbal or non-verbal cues, and the inability to easily
    find small groups of friends or other interesting people to talk to all
    make virtual conferences complicated at best and draining at worst.  I
    think the fact that - despite not having to spend anywhere near the travel
    budget and speakers from literally anywhere in the world being available
    to talk - LCA this year was a three day and not a five day event says a
    lot about how unattractive the online-only format is.
  * That said, the Venueless system that LA chose was excellent in comparison
    to others I've heard of and provided a good range of ways to people to
    interact and socialise virtually.  The presentation system did well and
    had relatively few glitches and speakers drop out (though there were a
    few).  As a tool for a hybrid conference experience I think this is a good
    one.
  * To return to the pandemic point: In five months, if we announce a 'hybrid'
    conference people can pick and choose whether they will attend in person
    or online.  People will decide at their own personal level whether they
    want to go for a virtual conference experience of a physical one - some
    may make that choice very late (though I'd imagine we'll have a deadline
    and will offer cheaper virtual than present ticket prices).  And if we
    have to turn it into a virtual-only conference because of a fresh outbreak
    of Peruvian Krutt, we would still have all the technology in place to
    deliver this well.  If we decide on a virtual-only conference format and
    it looks like COVID-19 is quelled by mid July then the event will flop (IMO).
  * So I think that the choice of hybrid keeps our options open for a highly
    anticipated LCA in person with online attendance added as a bonus, and
    choosing a virtual-only conference limits us to something no more
    successful than LCA this year (which, IMO, was about a 6/10).

That's my thinking so far.  Happy to hear other people's opinions!

HTH,

Paul

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