<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">Hi Brendan,<div><br></div><div>This will sound glib but having dealt with "sponsors" in & for other forums there is often an implicit ROI for those sponsors. Yes, while community is important, they are backed by corporate entities. Those entities want to know what is "in it for them". I've not as yet seen any of the entities say "oh, it's completely ok for my competitors to be able to share their merch at the event even though I paid up front to be there". </div><div><br></div><div>If you would like you, or your employer to pay 100% of the per attendee fee to attend + flights + accomodation please pass on that info to David as a likely future sponsor.<br><br><div dir="ltr"><div>Cheers,</div><div>Terry</div><div>--</div><div>Mobile device, don't expect grammar.</div></div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On 2 Aug 2022, at 2:56 pm, Brendan Halley <brendan@halley.net.au> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Hi David,<div><br></div><div>Very disappointed to hear this.</div><div><br></div><div>Has removing this sponsor and letting one of the many companies willing to sponsor take their place? From what I understand there are quite a few big names willing to take a sponsorship slot.</div><div><br></div><div>It shouldn't just be about what a sponsor wants when we're talking about an event built around an industry that functions more like a community.</div><div><br></div><div>Regards,</div><div>Brendan</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Aug 2, 2022 at 2:21 PM <<a href="mailto:david@hughes.id">david@hughes.id</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">Afternoon all,<br>
<br>
We've been contacted by one of the sponsors of our conference in April about companies who aren't sponsors handing out promotional material, in particular branded t-shirts etc. While everyone likes getting a bag full of free merch, we ask that attendees respect the financial commitment that our sponsors make towards funding the conference. They cover almost half the cost and in return they get the right to promote themselves to all of you who attend.<br>
<br>
If you are not a sponsor please do not distribute swag to delegates at the conference.<br>
<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
David, on behalf of the Board<br>
...<br>
<br>
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