[school-discuss] Mini-conference in Dallas area - next step

["Marilyn Hagle" <Marilyn.Hagle@gpisd.org>]

I heard back from some of you that you might be interested in
participating.  Here is the progress . . 
1.  I have obtained permission from my principal to use my campus(brand
new school this year) for a mini-conference on April 5, 2003. 
2.  Our district technology director agreed to assign district inservice
hours for the coursework and gave his blessings.  
3.  I plan to charge a registration fee using linuxined.org and paypal,
so I can give a percentage to presenters and use a percentage to cover
facility expenses. (have no idea on how much that should be)
4.  A school club could run a concession stand. 
5.  We are located just south of I30 and just west of Beltline Road in
Grand Prairie, TX, (Dallas area) south of the Lone Star Racetrack - if
you know where that is.
6.  This might be something that others will take over for future
conventions - or maybe we take turns hosting the event each year?
7.  Maybe only a few people will come, or maybe a large group. My campus
houses 1000 students, so we could accommodate any group.  Grand Prairie
is in the Dallas, TX metroplex with many hotels and restaurants in the
area.
8.  I could do a bunch of local advertising and maybe get a good
response.  However, even ten people would be great!!


My reason's for wanting to organize an event:

1.  I am a new mommie - children are 1 1/2 and 4 = can't travel to
conventions.  
2.  I need inservice credit for my school district and I want to attend
something relevant to my teaching area (animation and webpage
development using Mandrake 9.0).  
3.  I was formerly a music teacher/drama coach and have organized music
festivals, contests, dinner theaters, etc.  So I thought - why not
organize my own convention?  
4.  I feel so alone!!  I want to meet other Linux geeks!!


What do you think?  Who would come??  Who would be a presenter?  What
would be your topics??  What else is required to make it a success??


Marilyn
Teacher Person who loves Linux