How not to_plan_a_ruby_conference

How *not* to Organize a Ruby Conference

Marc Heiligers@marcheiligers

How Hard Can It Be?

January 2010, Chicago

Erm, well. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Decision

1 September 2010 registered domain

Set up Mad Mimi account and form

And then...

...Tina resigns

...wants to move

...to Port Elizabeth

Sell one house (renovations)

To buy another (paperwork)

1000 kilometers later

Meanwhile...

...Mad Mimi grows

...and building v2

Scaling

Optimizations

Late nights

Meanwhile...

...Mad Mimi grows

...and grows some more

Scaling

Optimizations

Late nights

What went into Rubyfuza?

Research

Organization

Website

And a giant Roller Coaster

Research

Research

Make notesEvernote is awesome

Excited

Make plansLots and lots of plans

See IMC17Rio, Brazil

Website

Website

Using Mad MimiSimple, Signups, newsletters later

Building a WebsiteTakes time, setup, admin, buggy

Using PayPalRailscasts

FNB

Organization

Organization

OrganizerAfrican Stay

Everything elseSponsorships,

Registrations,

Printing

Roller Coaster

Roller Coaster

MercuryApp

Disappointment and Despair

The Rush and Excitement

Worry and Panic

Success