Talk:Wikimania 2012/Bids/Barcelona & Andorra

A country?

Joan, I'm not sure that stating that Catalonia is a country is a good start for this bid... --Kimdime 09:21, 10 February 2010 (UTC)

You are right. The Statue of Autonomy agreed between Catalan Parliament and the Spanish Congress of Deputies ratified by the people of Catalonia says:

“the Parliament of Catalonia has defined Catalonia as a nation by an ample majority”

“The Spanish Constitution, in its second Article, recognises the national reality of Catalonia as a nationality.”

--Gomà 09:50, 10 February 2010 (UTC)

But perhaps it is better to avoid any reference to political situation of Catalonia. Thanks. --Gomà 09:55, 10 February 2010 (UTC)

Also.. I don't know if it make sense to discuss it now as it seems to be a definitive choise, but I don't understand why Andorra is included here? I've been living in Barcelona and I'm absolutely convinced that it has to host a wikimania in the future, but why Andorra? I also know it pretty well and just don't see the point. Andorran mountains are beautifull but the city of Andorra la Vella itself is a tiny, provincial town with a lot of car traffic, the main attraction being shopping tobbaco and alcohol . I kind of understand that the purpose is to give to the venue a "Països Catalans" orientation but there is certainly better choises than Andorra la Vella, why not the beautifull Girona? --Kimdime 10:09, 10 February 2010 (UTC)

You will change your mind when wikimania be celebrated. Barcelona is perfect for tourism and opening and closing ceremonies. But in summer Andorra is a quiet place ideal to hold wikimania. Nice hotels (cheap in summer), everything at walking distance from venue congress. It is a safe place you can left your laptop everywhere without risk of robbery and focus on congress. People is used to speak English Spanish French and of course Catalan. 6 years ago I participated in this congress in Andorra I have attended several congresses in Barcelona and I can assure you that the working atmosphere you can find in Andorra is absolutely unique.--Gomà 10:38, 10 February 2010 (UTC)

Well I know the place pretty well... and this is what I think of it. But of course I'm only presenting my own point of view :) --Kimdime 10:47, 10 February 2010 (UTC)

Proximity

After Alexandria, Gdansk and Haifa this would be four years out of five in one fairly small part of the world. Shouldn't we aim for 2012 to be a longhaul flight from anywhere we have recently been? WereSpielChequers 13:56, 4 January 2011 (UTC)

You are right, if you have contacts in communities globally then do encourage them to bid. I am doing the same. Its important that Wikimania be seen as a global event across all continent. If non-Eurasia teams don't bid its going to end up there again. Seddon 13:45, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

GLAM support

Following the highly successful developments of the GLAM collaboration between various wikimedia platforms and the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museum sector, I would be interested to know what GLAM organisations have committed themselves to your bid? Harrypotter 21:31, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Bid Concerns

Dear all those involved with the Barcelona & Andorra bid,

We have been looking over the various bids and looking at the direction with which bids are heading and there have been real concerns expressed by the jury with the Barcelona/Andorra bid.

The issue lies with the complexity, length and the resulting cost of the conference. In short:

• 7 days is too long. The costs of accomodation double for attendees, the costs of the conference doubles, likely going well over the half a million euros mark resulting in vastly higher conference fees. This results in a significantly high financial risk for the movement and a greater financial burden on attendees.
• Having the conference between two different cities is logistically not viable and again increases costs. If people want to see more local culture they will tie this into the visit anyway. The conference itself really shouldn't be more than 3 days long with extra days for the chapters and developers meetings.

If these issues remain it is likely to severely undermine you. Selecting a single site keeping the conference more in line with previous conferences would be in your best interest.

Please take the above constructively. Bids need to be achievable and more professional and not quite so grand.

Many Thanks

Joseph Seddon Wikimania 2012 Jury Coordinator

11:51, 28 January 2011 (UTC)