SOFTIMAGE|UeberTage 2012...going international..?

[owei]

Hello community!

I´m planing the SOFTIMAGE|UeberTage 2012 event this year again. I´m trying to get a nice lineup together with making-ofs and new developments around our good old SOFTIMAGE. Currently I´m getting the sponsors together to finance our event this year.

Here i my question to the community.
I was thinking to convert our "German" event into an "international" event. All the presentations would then be held in English, of course.
I don´t know, if the feedback coming from the list and the international communities will be big enough to take this step.

Like in the past years, the event is going to take place in Siegen/Germany around late September, early October. Siegen is a about 1,5 hours by car/train from the international airports Cologne or Frankfurt. The costs for accommodation are moderate.

So let me know what you think.

Cheers,
oliver

PS: I´ve also posted this on the SI-List ;)

[Hirazi Blue]

I think it's a good idea!!! (Any ideas that keep the Übertage alive are good ideas!)
But maybe you should consider changing the location to Cologne,
as this might be a "better" place if you want to attract the "international crowd".
;)

PS - I'm not just saying this because it's closer to where I live BTW

[owei]

..well, moving to Cologne will make it more difficult to organize everything and the costs will explode. I´ve got my "workflow" for all the technical stuff and the location. I think going 1,5 hours by car or train should not be the problem for a "real SOFTY" ;) Despite of that, some international guests in the past found it quite nice to take a look at the German province ;)

cheers,
oli

[Hirazi Blue]

..well, moving to Cologne will make it more difficult to organize everything and the costs will explode. I´ve got my "workflow" for all the technical stuff and the location.

Those are very persuasive arguments against moving indeed! Consider me convinced!!!
I only mentioned Cologne, because it is a slightly more well-known town all around the world...
(although people living in Siegen might disagree, obviously )

[owei]

LOL..yes, you are right ;)
Cologne was the location some years ago and it was a little difficult to handle, because the organizers did not live there or even close by Cologne. It´s easier to organize things if everything is right around the corner ;)

If everything goes well, we can offer UeberTage2012 free of charge for all the participants, including coffee&drinks over the day and lunch for everyone...

cheers,
oli

[dwigfor]

Will that coincide with Oktoberfest?

[owei]

@dwigfor
...yes ;) "D´Wiesn" (Oktoberfest) goes from September 22nd until October 7th. Need a little travel from Siegen to Munich of about 500 km, though ;)

[Rork]

well..... that means 500km to get 'into the spirit of the festival'

But as I said on the mailinglist, it would be great if all presentations were in English.
That way almost everybody will be able to follow. German isn't every bodies cup of tea

Good luck on organizing this again!!

rob

[owei]

Thanks Rob!

In first place, I was aiming for more visitors considering to change the language to English ;)
So everyone, who is able to come over, is welcome! After registration, of course. I think we can host around 70 people at our location

cheers,
oliver

[Rork]

woohoo!! party's at Oliver's!!!!

;)

[dwigfor]

Any updates on this? Will it be English speaking? I'm seriously thinking about attending.

Sounds perfect:
1) supposed to finish work early/mid September
2) D´Wiesn
3) Softimage
4) A friend of mine was also talking about going to Munich this year.

So it's sounding like the perfect plan! He said the hotels fill up really fast in Munich for Oktoberfest, so I want to start planning soon..

Thanks,
-Dave

[Pancho]

Munich during Oktoberfest would be the most horrible location I could think of. Really, if it should get a bit more international it should be either Düsseldorf, Cologne or Frankfurt to keep it simple. All citys are just within a 2h car or train ride. Otherwise Siegen is still well connected to Frankfurt.

The 3D Powerstore is based in Düsseldorf with plenty of room and space (+technical equipment). A few weeks ago they hosted a Modo event with Andy Brown. Probably they would be interested in a collaboration.

Cheers
Thomas

[Hirazi Blue]

Well, as dwigfor obviously (and understandably so) wants to do the "tourist thing",
when getting "over here", the Oktoberfest seems to be an acceptable choice IMHO.
It's not something I would visit twice, but once can be quite an experience IIRC.
;)

As for the location: owei already made perfectly clear (after me nagging him earlier in this thread)
that it will happen in Siegen. And his reasoning in this was sound
(even I had to admit).

The english speaking part of the question will be something owei will have to answer himself,
as I personally am not affiliated with the organization.
;)

[Pancho]

Siegen is just a one hour drive for me and the bar we chose last year after the event was quite fine for the bunch of people we were. So I won't be complaining if it stays Siegen. : )

[owei]

Hey guys!

Quite busy at the moment...sorry ;)
Well, the feedback on the "international" question was really lean, to be honest. I´ll do another attempt on the list. Maybe I´ll get some more feedback.
Well, Siegen is not far from Cologne, Duesseldorf or Frankfurt. Maximum 1,5 hour to each of these Cities. So, as I said before, it should not be the problem. I also mentioned the logistical reasons for this decision.
Personally I have no problem with going "international" and would even like to ;) . Would be great to get some more people interested in visiting our event...
The schedule is in the making. Vray will definitely have a slot, as well as Mr. Mootz already confirmed...

Cheers,
oliver

[dwigfor]

Hi Oliver! I was wondering if you had any updates on this. I'm going to try planning my trip soon and need to know if I should make a side excursion over to Siegen. Did you have a set date for this? In any event, I might still try to attend even if it isn't in English; would be great to meet some of you guys on the other side of the pond.

My friend and his family said they wanted to spend a couple of days in Munich and then visit out into the countryside. He did that several years ago and said it was beautiful; something about Cinderella's Castle being based on that or something..

Thanks,
-Dave