State of the Map/Selection Criteria

The function of the following list is to show how the SotM working group analyzes a bid. We are aware that no single venue can fulfill every aspect perfectly, so don't worry if your bid doesn't comply with each single criterion: the listed bullet points below are neither strict nor hard requirements. The SotM working group would appreciate if you could elaborate on any location-specific considerations that might be relevant for evaluating your bid.

Team

• How many members does the local team have?
• Is the local team situated nearby the venue?
• How many of the team members are situated in the city of the venue?
• How are the team and the group members connected to OpenStreetMap?
• Do some group members have experience in organizing a larger conference?

Bid/wiki form

• Is the form fully filled in?

Venue

• Reservation of the the venue (contract doesn't have to be signed, but the local team should have the confirmation of the venue operator and optimally a pre-booking of the venue at the proposed conference dates)
• For how many visitors is the venue suitable?
• Size of auditoriums
• Size of foyer
• Floor plan with auditoriums, foyer and breakout rooms
• Are there spaces for breakout sessions?
• Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Costs

• Is the calculation filled in with the costs for venue and catering?
• Is the venue cost acceptable?
• Is the catering cost acceptable?

City

• What infrastructure does the place have?
• Was a SotM held in the same continent in the previous year?
• How active is the local OSM community in the area and neighbouring regions?
• Are there other local communities that are potentially interested in OpenStreetMap (for example in the fields of geospatial technologies, GIS, FOSS, or geography research)?
• Is the host city likely to attract sponsorship from local, national or international corporations?

Safety

• Is it a LGBT friendly space?
• What about medical and travel safety?
• What about terrorism or crime?
• Is the location compatible with the OSMF's SotM safety policy?

Travel

• How good is the place reachable internationally?
• What kind of visa restrictions are there?
• How about affordability of the travel?

Dates

• Is the venue available at proper dates?
• Are there conflicts with other conferences (local SotM, Foss4G)?

Other special features of the venue

• Are there any other special features of the venue that we should consider? For example administrative support or local sponsors?