Difference between revisions of "ISDC Conference 2011"

Revision as of 23:53, 12 December 2010

Overview

The local chapter of the National Space Society, HAL5 is hosting the 2011 International Space Development Conference (ISDC) in Huntsville, AL. This conference attracts astronauts, scientists, entrepreneurs, government officials, activists and citizens of this planet who look forward to the opening of the "final frontier" to discover the future of space exploration. Yohan Lo, the local HAL5 president and ISDC organizer, is looking for Makers Local 256 to run a booth presenting the hackerspace and what we do. In exchange, we can have a reduced price by volunteering services. This would be an excellent opportunity for Makers Local 256 to reach out and represent the hacker/maker community.

Calendar

• March, 2011: Soft Due Date for Makers Local 256 and HAL5 to come to an agreement.
• May 18-22, 2011: ISDC Conference, Huntsville, AL, Von Braun Center & Embassy Suite Hotel and Spa. http://isdc.nss.org/2011/

To Do

• Gather volunteers and projects for presentation.
• Contact Yohan Lo for more information. Spacefelix is POC.
• Formalize deal with HAL5.

Current Terms & Proposed Contracts

Per Yohan Lo, the local HAL5 president and ISDC organizer, the starting cost is $2,000 to have a 10'x10' exhibit floor space at ISDC. To reduce this cost, Yohan has proposed that we offer volunteer services to HAL5 for ISDC. As it stands, to participate, all volunteers will have to pay for their registration up front at the rate they currently qualify. Rebates will be given based on the number of hours you volunteer. He has proposed that we can volunteer for the following:

1. Be in charge of a specific ISDC track or function, and receive a discount on the table cost.
2. Provide entertainment or technical support. We will have our own IT support, and our AV support is TBD.
   • In support of the above two, ISDC needs extension cords, power strips, Ethernet cables, wifi routers, laser printers, etc. If you provide what we need (TBD), we could give you $XXX off. Or provide x, y z and we give you a table free. You will be required to label your loaned items, and realized that we will try our best to make sure they are not 'taken' by others.
3. Bring in x amount of registrations (TBD)
4. Errand Gophers - It can be running back and forth between VBC and Embassy Suites, or to outside for errands.
5. Break/Game Room - Set up some fun computer games (wii or PS3). Nothing violent. If you can provide the consoles and appropriate games, and maybe TV/projector, then we could give you a table for free

One thing to remember is that once HAL5/ISDC and ML256 reached an agreement, there will be a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that needs to be signed. For now, I will assume that March 2011 will be a soft due date for Makers Local 256 and HAL5 to reach an agreement.

Reducing The Price Further

• As we are a 501(c)3 charitable organization, we ought to be able to reduce our costs further with HAL5.
• There is a category for educational societies to have a reduced price for a booth on the exhibition floor. Do we qualify for this? We will need to ask Yohan and ISDC organizers if this is possible. However, if we can get it all for free; admission for each volunteer, a booth, etc. by just volunteering our services, then this is moot.

Volunteers

• ISDC Support
  • Spacefelix
• Presentation Table
  • Spacefelix - HSIS

Recommend that we also put up projects related to the 2011 ISDC theme:

• Transportation
  • Launch Vehicle
  • Spacecraft
  • Personal Spaceflight
  • Space Settlements
• Technology
  • Science
  • Propulsion
  • Biotechnology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Robotics
  • Artifical Intelligence
  • Life Support
• Culture
  • Politics
  • Outreach and Activism
  • Education
  • Food
  • Fun!