A group of Bloggers and Twitterers from UAE met on 27th March 2009, for lunch and shisha and decided to hold BarCamps in UAE, thanks to the optimism and encouragement of Melanie Swan, who proposed the idea to us. I recommend holding the first edition of BarCamp in UAE on May 9, 2009, giving us enough time to round up participants to share their interestingness with the rest of the group.
BarCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from attendees. In true BarCamp spirit, I solicit the help and active participation of volunteers to share the joy of kick-starting this fantastic initiative in UAE.
For the 1st edition, the aim is to keep it simple and encourage participation. So, I recommend concentrating on the basics to keep the costs of organizing to the minimum.
BarCamp UAE is your event, so shoot away with suggestions and recommendations on how you think you can help with any of the below to BarCampUAE at gmail dot com or @BarCampUAE
BarCamp UAE - 1 Event details
When: May 9, 2009
Where: Dubai Internet City, Building No. 3 (DELL), Thuraya Conference Hall.
BarCamp UAE also has its own website at http://BarCampUAE.org
Web links
Website
Topics and ideas
Twitter
Facebook Group
Facebook Event
Logo
Following the culmination of a week-long vote to select a logo on April 19th 2009, we have a winner! Its Michel Al Asmar's Arabic Architecture themed design, here's the official logo for BarCamp UAE 2009 and Michel's explanation for his choice of motifs :
This is taken from the Arabic architecture style, a famous shape used in corners of the room that people gather in.
Sponsors
We are looking for sponsor(s) to support us with the basic costs of recording and podcasting the event. Where possible we can do with borrowed/ donated video cameras, tripod stands, tapes, microphones, extension cables, projectors, adapter plugs, etc to setup the basic infrastructure to document and record an intense and oriented discussion among participants.
Additionally, we would like to host a permanent blog which documents, archives and facilitates online participation in the run-up/ during/ after the event. Approx. $90 for a domain + hosting for a year at GoDaddy.com. Any sponsors?
We could also do with support for stationary/ writing material, name tags, white boards, markers, snacks, drinks, and goodies (maybe a t-shirt or a USB key or a hat, etc) for all participants. Can you help us find some money with your network of connections?
Planners & Volunteers
Kedar Iyer
Masarat Daud
Paul Castle
Rami Kayyali
Nikhil Soneja
Kristna Nyzell
PK Gulati
Participants (aka Campers) and Topics of discussion
Become a participant of BarCamp UAE and sign up to BarCamp UAE 1 by participating in an existing topic of discussion or leading your own.
Schedule
To be decided once we get participants signed up with their choice of discussion. See what other participants are talking about.
Tasks
1. Scout for a venue sponsor.
2. Get sponsors/ donors to cover costs of recording, podcasting and goodies for participants.
3. Enroll participants for the event.
4. Organize speakers and topics for discussion.
5. Manage materials for event (stationary, projectors, name tags/ t-shirts, snacks, drinks, etc)
Tags for flickr, delicious, twitter, technorati etc.
#BarCampUAE
Who's helping promote us?
BarCamp UAE by Edward Santillan of SEODubai.org on April 9th 2009
Bloggers and reporters rule! So if you are a blogger/ reporter who will blog about the event before/ during/ after. Please do add yourself here with a link to your post, so we know that you are saying nice things about BarCamp UAE - 1.
