YAPC::NA::2007 Philadelphia Bid
Fri, 04-Aug-2006 by
Jim Brandt
edit post
<![CDATA[
The Philadelphia.pm bid follows:
<h1>YAPC::Philadelphia 2007</h1>
<h2>Overview</h2>
<h3>Why Philadelphia?</h3>
<p>
Because Philadelphia is less than an 8 hour drive for one third of
the nation's population. Because it is home of the
cheesesteak. And most importantly because we are hosting YAPC just
before Independence Day, a day the city participated in creating.
</p>
<p>
Each year Philadelphia celebrates with more than a week of activities
at the <a href="http://www.americasbirthday.com/index.asp">Sunoco
Welcome America</a> festival complete with big name entertainment and
multiple fireworks displays.
</p>
<p>
This year we are encouraging participants to bring their families and
make a proper holiday of it.
</p>
<p>
Our proposed theme is the "Freedom of Perl". A celebration of
TIMTOWTDI, a play on the Elton John song "Philadelphia
Freedom", and a reference to Philadelphia's place in history.
</p>
<h2>Team</h2>
<p>
YAPC Philadelphia is a joint venture of the Perl Mongers of <a
href="http://phl.pm.org">Philadelphia</a> and <a
href="http://abe.pm.org/">Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton</a>
Pennsylvania. Here are some of the people involved:
</p>
<ul>
<li>R Geoffrey Avery</li>
<li>Walt Mankowski</li>
<li>Mark Jason Dominus</li>
<li>Dieter Pearcey</li>
<li>Ricardo Signes</li>
<li>Rachel King</li>
<li>John Cappiello</li>
<li>Jim Parker</li>
</ul>
<p>
Among the recent acomplishments of this group in the way of planning
large events are:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Planned a traditional wedding for 170</li>
<li>Planned a non-traditional wedding for 65 at a minor league
baseball stadium</li>
<li>Planned the Society of Women Engineers Region E Conference in
Philadelphia</li>
<li>Coordinated the Lightning Talks of multiple conferences</li>
</ul>
<h2>Dates and Location</h2>
<p>
In a break from tradition we are proposing to hold YAPC Sunday July 1
to Tuesday July 3. The conference will be held on the Camden campus
of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.camden.rutgers.edu/">Rutgers-Camden</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://maps.rutgers.edu/maps/default.aspx?campus=3?389,243">Campus
map</a></li>
</ul>
<p>
The campus is in Camden, New Jersey directly across the Delaware
river from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<h3>Facility Location</h3>
<p>
The campus is in Camden, New Jersey at the base of the Ben Franklin
bridge connecting Camden to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
</p>
<p>
<a
href="http://maps.rutgers.edu/maps/default.aspx?campus=3?389,243">http://maps.rutgers.edu/maps/default.aspx?campus=3?389,243</a>
</p>
<p>
We will be using the Gordon Theater in the Fine Arts Building,
several parts of the Campus Center and the Camden Towers and Camden
Apartments dorms.
</p>
<h3>Facility Layout and Capacity</h3>
<p>
Assuming a crowd between 400 and 450 we would need the Theater, half
of the Multi Purpose room to seat 200, the other half for some quiet
activities, and the Black Box room to seat about 120. We will plan
on three tracks.
</p>
<h3>A/V and Internet arrangements</h3>
<h3>Food</h3>
<p>
The campus food service provider is being replaced in the next year
so actual costs can not be predicted. However looking at the current
price lists it is possible to provide a morning and afternoon break
with food and beverage for $5/person/break.
</p>
<p>
There will be a dinner provided on the second night at a local
restaurant at a cost of about $25/person.
</p>
<p>
We may provide a chance for participants to preorder lunch for an
additional cost of less than $10/person/day. But as lunch has not
been provided for the last several years this is just a bonus and we
don't want to commit to it yet.
</p>
<h3>Cost Summary</h3>
<h4>Fixed Costs</h4>
<table class="formatter_table">
<tr>
<td>Item</td>
<td>Type</td>
<td>Quantity</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>Total</td>
<td>Capacity</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gordon Theater</td>
<td>Daily</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>600</td>
<td>1800</td>
<td>648</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gordon Theater</td>
<td>Setup</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>600</td>
<td>600</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Multi Purpose Room</td>
<td>Daily</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>500</td>
<td>1500</td>
<td>200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Multi Purpose Room</td>
<td>Setup</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>160</td>
<td>160</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Black Box Room (guess)</td>
<td>Daily</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>250</td>
<td>750</td>
<td>120</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Black Box Room (guess)</td>
<td>Setup</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>150</td>
<td>150</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AV, projectors</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>???</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Janitors and Security</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>???</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Total Fixed Costs</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>4960</td>
</tr>
</table>
<h4>Variable Costs per Person</h4>
<table class="formatter_table">
<tr>
<td>Breaks</td>
<td>Food</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dinner</td>
<td>Food</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-shirt</td>
<td>Stuff</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Total Variable Costs</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>60</td>
</tr>
</table>
<h4>Summary</h4>
<p>
Assuming 60 speakers and organizers who don't pay but need to be
fed. This feature seems to be missing from the 2006 proposals but it is
true.
</p>
<p>
Traditionally the conference fee is $85 and many people wait until
the last minute to signup. We propose to have two prices $100 as the
basic price with an early bird discount of $85 if people sign up at
least three weeks before the conference.
</p>
<table class="formatter_table">
<tr>
<td>$100</td>
<td>$85</td>
<td>$0</td>
<td>Revenue</td>
<td>Variable</td>
<td>Fixed</td>
<td>Total Cost</td>
<td>Profit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>200</td>
<td>60</td>
<td>17000</td>
<td>15600</td>
<td>5000</td>
<td>20600</td>
<td>(3600)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>250</td>
<td>60</td>
<td>21250</td>
<td>18600</td>
<td>5000</td>
<td>23600</td>
<td>(3600)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>300</td>
<td>60</td>
<td>25500</td>
<td>21600</td>
<td>5000</td>
<td>26600</td>
<td>(1100)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>100</td>
<td>200</td>
<td>60</td>
<td>27000</td>
<td>21600</td>
<td>5000</td>
<td>26600</td>
<td>400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>350</td>
<td>60</td>
<td>29750</td>
<td>24600</td>
<td>5000</td>
<td>29600</td>
<td>150</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>100</td>
<td>250</td>
<td>60</td>
<td>31250</td>
<td>24600</td>
<td>5000</td>
<td>29600</td>
<td>1650</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p>
We may update these numbers, but it looks like we break even at about
350 people even without sponsorship. The janitorial and security fee
is not yet known, but should be not need many more people to sign up
to cover it.
</p>
<h2>Accommodations</h2>
<h3>Dorms</h3>
<p>
There are dorms on campus with space for up to 250 people. They are
arranged as suites with three bedrooms that can each hold up to 2
people per room or 6/suite. We probably will not offer the one
person per suite option as there are not that many rooms.
</p>
<pre class="formatter_pre">The rates for the dorms are one suite
w/one person per night is $65.
One suite w/3 people per night is $25/per person
One suite w/6 people per night is $15/per person.
The linen is rented separately for $20/per person/per week.
</pre>
<p>
There is wireless in the dorms though we belive the signal is weak.
But that can be fixed.
</p>
<h3>Hotels</h3>
<p>
Philadelphia is a big city with many options for hotels. Some of
them are listed here and we will arrange a block of rooms
later. Taking PATCO to Philadelphia makes it possible to not have a
car, but the hotels cost more. Staying on the New Jersey side of the
river leads to cheaper hotels, but will probably require a car.
</p>
<p>
The most likely hotel for us is the <a
href="http://www.holidaycherryhill.com/index.html">Holiday Inn of
Cherry Hill</a>. It has free wireless and a rate of about $85/night.
</p>
<ul>
<li><a
href="http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/%7Erutravel/hotelrates2006.html#cmd">Rutgers
Camden local hotels with rate information</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.ushistory.org/philstay.html">Philadelphia
historic area hotel list</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Transportation</h2>
<h3>Arrival and Departure</h3>
<h4>By Plane</h4>
<p>
Philadelphia International Airport is the closest airport to
YAPC. However some people may find a better deal flying into Newark
New Jersey and taking the train which stops at the airport. Other
airports might be an option if you are arriving from farther away and
don't mind a longer drive or train ride.
</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.phl.org/">PHL Philadelphia</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/newarkliberty.html">EWR
Newark, NJ</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lvia.org/">ABE Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton</a>
(90 minute drive)</li>
<li>LGA, JFK, and BWI</li>
</ul>
<p>
From PHL take a SEPTA regional rail to Market East station and
switch to PATCO. From EWR take the train to 30th Street Station and
follow directions for train.
</p>
<h4>By Train</h4>
<p>
Amtrak provides frequent service from Boston, MA to Washington, DC
through Philadelphia as part of its Northeast Corridor service. It is
also possible to travel from New York City on a combination of New
Jersey Transit and SEPTA trains.
</p>
<p>
From Trenton there are multiple choices, Amtrak or SEPTA through
Philadelphia or the Riverline which is on the New Jersey side of the river.
</p>
<ul>
<li><a
href="http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage">http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://www.njtransit.com/index.jsp">http://www.njtransit.com/index.jsp</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.riverline.com/">http://www.riverline.com/</a>
(light rail to Trenton)</li>
</ul>
<p>
From 30th Street Station take the SEPTA El (blue line) to
8th street and switch to PATCO.
</p>
<ul>
<li>N 30th St & Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104</li>
</ul>
<h4>By Bus</h4>
<p>
Several major and minor bus lines serve Philadelphia. The bus
stations are in Chinatown with easy transfer to PATCO.
</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.greyhound.com/">http://www.greyhound.com/</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://www.peterpanbus.com/">http://www.peterpanbus.com/</a></li>
<li><a
href="https://www.apexbus.com/Default.aspx">https://www.apexbus.com/Default.aspx</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>1001 Filbert St, Philadelphia, PA</li>
<li>121 N 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA</li>
</ul>
<p>
From bus station walk about 2 blocks to PATCO.
</p>
<h4>By Automobile</h4>
<p>
The Rugers-Camden campus is at the base of the Ben Franklin bridge
connecting Philadelphia, PA to Camden, NJ.
</p>
<ul>
<li><a
href="http://maps.rutgers.edu/directions/camden.aspx.">http://maps.rutgers.edu/directions/camden.aspx.</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>While attending YAPC</h3>
<p>
Unless staying in a hotel not near a train, you won't need a
car. The campus has a station on the PATCO train line connecting to
Center City Philadelphia. This combined with SEPTA on the
Pennsylvania side of the river will connect to most places you will
need to go during YAPC.
</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.drpa.org/patco/">http://www.drpa.org/patco/</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.septa.com/">http://www.septa.com/</a></li>
<li><a href="http://riverlinkferry.org/">http://riverlinkferry.org/</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Things To Do</h2>
<p>
We are planning to host YAPC to be at the same time as the <a
href="http://www.americasbirthday.com/index.asp">Sunoco Welcome
America</a> festival leading up to Philadelphia's day to shine,
Independence Day. But beyond that we have history, science, sports,
and food options to keep most people busy.
</p>
<p>
And if that is not enough Atlantic City is only an hour away with
casinos and entertainment options. Or if you need some sun you could
go "Down the shore" and spend some time on New Jersey beaches.
</p>
<h3>Attractions</h3>
<ul>
<li><a
href="http://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/">http://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://www.adventureaquarium.com/">http://www.adventureaquarium.com/</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://www.camdenchildrensgarden.org/">http://www.camdenchildrensgarden.org/</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://www.independencevisitorcenter.com/">http://www.independencevisitorcenter.com/</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://www.constitutioncenter.org/">http://www.constitutioncenter.org/</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://www.lightsofliberty.org/main.htm">http://www.lightsofliberty.org/main.htm</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://www.pennslandingcorp.com/">http://www.pennslandingcorp.com/</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://www.philamuseum.org/">http://www.philamuseum.org/</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fi.edu/">http://www.fi.edu/</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Sports and Recreation</h3>
<ul>
<li><a
href="http://www.riversharks.com/">http://www.riversharks.com/</a></li>
<li><a
href="http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/">http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Restaurants</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.morimotorestaurant.com/">Morimoto</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.podrestaurant.com/">Pod</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Lists of things</h3>
<ul>
<li><a
href="http://www.holidaycherryhill.com/attract.html">http://www.holidaycherryhill.com/attract.html</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.gophila.com/">Official Visitor Site for
Greater Philadelphia</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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