How can I justify 245 euros for an Irish web conference?

Recently in Ireland we see a positive move to get more events organised by the community with a lot of people putting their energy and ideas in that.

This was fine for me until now! I think we are now walking on our heads. The new model introduced this year is to have 'mega conferences' over four days with a 245 euros entry ticket! Ouch! That's really hurt my wallet.

How can I justify to my boss the return on investment for that. In my opinion, such conferences are trying to cover too many things, too many technologies and too many speakers for no real benefits.

This can result in a lot of noise for nothing.

I think I prefer to participate to a low key event, where I enter for a small fee, say 50 euros per day, and a clear theme. After all how many Irish companies have a realistic idea of what they can do with the web today?

I am asked to pay an hefty sum of money to see a collection of well known egos queuing to deliver their own view. I would rather prefer that they debate around a subject.

When I helped the community a couple of years ago with the first .Net Irish conference, I did my best to stay modest and over a day we had a fantastic audience and a great support by our sponsors. It was done in the true sense of community, not as a disguised business venture.

It might be my utopian side, but I like free community events.

 

2 Comments

  • I agree somewhat, I have the dubious honour of starting the TechLudd event. It's aimed at startups and the sponsor money goes on venue and "refreshments" instead of into anyones pocket. Not exactly what you mean I know but I feel the same way about free events for now.
    I think these events do have a place though. Is the problem that it's Irish or the whole style of the event? It seems pretty similar to most conference events abroad.

  • Well Anton, no it's not really because it's IRish. I just say it because I am talking about something I am close to.
    Now you see my point is that kind of event is more or less like an expo, where 'web gurus' are selling themselves and companies are pushing their products. They should be grateful that people want to meet so they should offer the event for free, or a very small fee.
    It's like some salesman knocking at my door, ask me for money before doing any demonstration of their brand new vacuum thingy. That doen't make any sense!

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