BiCon 2023 DMP Submission – Online Component
Background
Prior to 2020 BiCon had been an in-person event only. In 2020 and 2021 BiCon was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions on in-person events. BiCon 2022 and 2023 were held as hybrid events, with both in person and online attendees.
Issue
While the hybrid format has worked, it was not without its logistical and technical challenges, and it significantly increased the workload of the organisers. The sheer number of things I needed to organise for the in-person part of BiCon meant that my focus was far more on this than the online portion. While we were able to offer online attendees a full daytime timetable of sessions, my session coordinator and I had to make the difficult decision not to offer evening entertainment for online attendees due to a lack of capacity and the challenges of live streaming from a crowded bar venue. I would have liked to offer online only entertainment such as quizzes, watch-alongs or informal socials but no one on my team had the capacity to plan or host these.
Possible Solutions
I believe the following two options should be considered. I have no preference either way and feel that online attendees from 2022 and 2023 should be consulted before deciding which option to proceed with.
1. If hybrid events continue, organising teams should appoint one or more dedicated online organisers.
Or:
2. Hold separate in-person and online BiCon events, organised by different teams at different times of the year.
Proposed Resolution
To invite all attendees from BiCon 2022 and 2023 to participate in a survey seeking their views on the above options. If there is a clear preference for one option, the BiCon Guidelines should be amended accordingly.
Al (they/them)
Lead Organiser, BiCon 2023
