2010 conference location, organizational structure, and more

Here is the message I sent to the Google group last night:
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First of all, I am thrilled to announce that Sex 2.0 will be in Seattle next year, and the venue will be the Center for Sex Positive Culture! The director of the Center, Allena Gabosch, is super excited about Sex 2.0 and is behind our mission 100%. I can’t think of a more perfect venue. You can read all about the Center at their web site, http://www.sexpositiveculture.org. They’ve been open for ten years, which is pretty freakin’ awesome.

We do not yet have a date, but it will be sometime in summer 2010. It will definitely be after the Seattle Erotic Arts Festival. As always, we’ll work to make sure we minimize conflicts w/ other events as much as possible.

I also have a strong lead on a block of rooms at the super-cool sex-positive Hotel Max: http://www.hotelmaxseattle.com. They offer “kinky kits” in their rooms, among other things. Perfect tie-in, right? (Argh… no pun intended!) I’ll keep everyone posted on that, of course.

Yay for Seattle 2010!!

Next up: It’s been said that a conference’s third year can make it or break it. Sex 2.0 is growing, and as you know from the discussions we’ve had here on the list over the past two weeks, we all share the concern over how to manage that growth and keep Sex 2.0 the unique event it is. So, going forward into year three, we’re making a few changes.

First of all, we’re dropping the word “unconference” from the description, since that seems to ruffle some people’s feathers. Sex 2.0 will remain community-driven and committed to our core ideas of everyone having something to teach and something to learn; this event will continue to be what you make of it, with everyone expected to contribute something to get the experience they want. I’m not willing to keep fighting a battle over the word “unconference,” though, so we’re nixing it. It’s more important that we have a great time, rather than what we call it!

Next, in planning for the 2010 conference, Sex 2.0 will have a steering committee. This was the logical decision after listening to feedback from participants for the last two years, including goals and questions for next year. The steering committee’s reason for existence is to help in the guidance of the event: the direction in which it moves and grows, and what we want to offer as a safe, social and educational gathering. In no way does this committee reflect on the planning of events in various cities, but rather it exists to ensure the spirit of Sex 2.0 remains consistent. Each year, a team of local organizers will be responsible for on-the-ground logistics, planning, and implementation in whatever city the conference is taking place.

Input from everyone is always needed, but in having this committee, it lessens the need for the planners of the event itself to be so burdened. Sharing the stress is always good – it’s ensures that no one is overwhelmed; and personally, I feel that an important part of a supportive community is taking care of each other and being accountable in this way.

Membership on the steering committee is open to people who have attended at least two Sex 2.0s. This requirement is to ensure that committee members have a good grasp on the mission and history of the conference. These are not permanent positions nor set in stone in any way; membership will naturally change from year to year. The maximum number of people for the committee is 13 – because that’s how we do it at Sex 2.0, we subvert societal paradigms that arbitrarily label some numbers “unlucky!” If you would like to be on the steering committee this year, please reply to the group or email me.

Finally, remember, if you have not taken the survey yet, please do; even if you have given your input on the group, please include as much feedback as possible in the survey, so it will be there in delicious analysis-friendly format. Access to the survey will close May 30, and you can find it here: http://sex20con.com/2009/05/16/2009-sex-20-participant-survey/

April 12th Flesh and Fetish Ball: discounted admission for Sex 2.0 participants

For those of you who aren’t high-tailing it out of Atlanta at the crack of 5pm, consider coming to the Flesh and Fetish Ball at 1763 the night after Sex 2.0. Swinging Atlanta is offering discounted admission to Sex 2.0 participants: $35 for single guys, $25 for couples, and single ladies free as usual.

Check out this article to learn more about our new venue and the Flesh and Fetish Ball.

New Sex 2.0 podcast promos

We’ve updated the podcast promos to reflect the change of venue to 1763. They’re identical otherwise:

15-second meat-and-potatoes
http://sex20con.com/promos/sex-2.0-promo-2.0-15sec.mp3

30-second with-a-flourish
http://sex20con.com/promos/sex-2.0-promo-2.0-30sec.mp3

Thanks to everyone who has been using the promos in your podcasts! Please be sure to download these updates.

More about the closing of Spring4th, our (former) venue

Article in Southern Voice today:

The owners of Spring4th — which has hosted gay leather parties and events produced by Atlanta’s queer Femme Mafia — encountered the parking requirements when the venue expanded in summer 2006, with the number of required parking spaces tied to a location’s size. The expansion also attracted the attention of various neighborhood groups, who attempted to close down the venue.

Before going to the official city committee, the Spring4th parking and liquor license applications were required to wind through groups like the Midtown Neighbors’ Association and the area Neighborhood Planning Unit. An MNA committee originally indicated it would not oppose Spring4th’s applications, but MNA members began making allegations about illegal activities taking place at Spring4th, according to owner Rick Day.

The accusations ranged from charges that the expansion included construction work without a permit, to an anonymous e-mail that alleged Spring4th was secretly a sex club. Midtown neighbors also allegedly doctored an advertisement for an event at Spring4th so that it advertised “BYOB — All ages” and “Underage girls welcome,” according to before-and-after images posted on Spring4th’s website.

In April 2007, the MNA board voted to oppose Spring4th’s liquor license application and parking waiver.

According to the minutes from the MNA’s April 26 meeting, a board member allegedly received an e-mail that stated, “If you want to know what goes on in the building with the red door — sex.”

The MNA board rejected the Spring4th applications, “as it is not appropriate for the neighborhood,” according to the meeting minutes.

Read the whole thing, and leave a comment or write a letter!

Sex 2.0 seeking a new venue

Sex 2.0 has lost its venue. Spring4th has been forced to close its doors due to the meddling of the Midtown Neighborhood Association (the same people responsible for the appalling harassment of street prostitutes) and the arcane hoops through which the City of Atlanta has forced them to jump. We are currently seeking a new venue. We need all the help we can get – time, energy, MONEY, resources, everything.

If you can help, please join the Google group ASAP.

More details to come soon.