Continuing from my comment above. Thailand is a great destination and popular all around the world even amongst Indians and visa is easy for everybody especially our own neighbours. I'm not sure why you'd think Pakistani citizens can get Indian visa easily or for that matter there are a large number of active users here from Nepal especially after their ban on crypto.
There's a lot of logistical planning that goes into an event like this. We can probably do this in a metro city but the unconference days aren't easy to pull off with our level of chaos in metro cities. Our options for venues and experiences for all in Amsterdam, Lisbon and even Krakow have been on another level. I can't quite put a finger on which Indian city with great flight connectivity can enable something similar. Food is probably an area we can match expectations and mostly beat-again possible if we're doing it a 5-star and those events in India cost as much if not more than previous SF tickets. Thai food is also fantastic! :D
We had our closing dinner in a 13th century Sandmine near Krakow. An incredible experience in itself. Can we really rent out a similar historical location in India? Highly doubt that. It might seem grand but it's all about ensuring a great, consistent experience for everyone including the organizers. India is a very different place and it will require a very different kind of planning to execute an event like this for a multi-cultural audience. It can be done and someday it will happen but not anytime soon.
But this is not about India having more Steemians over Thailand. US has a lot more than we do including large stakeholders and we haven't gone there due to costs and visa hurdles. People in US want it from the beginning but it won't be a multi-cultural event which i think it should continue to be if we are to appeal to a global audience and mainstream adoption year after year.
Frankly we also don't have many large stakeholders interested in building a large, thriving, long lasting community of users from India yet, just a handful people including myself trying to keep things going especially after the bull run and rbi issues. Churning amongst active users from India is also high as many start using and leave if they don't make money quickly. As much as I'd love to have an event in our backyard we are far from ready for it.
Please make it to this one and i'm sure it'll be worth the experience. :)
Also worth noting is how this poll goes and how many respond in the affirmative. 20K ticket prices in India in a city for example that many might have visited already could also put local people off from visiting. :)
Thanks for an elaborate explanation on your stance! I understand the challenges and agree with most of the points raised by you here.
Of course, there is a slight disadvantage of cost and convenience when opting for hosting it in India but India has its unique advantages too which no other place can offer. Most international visitors will be glad to get once in a lifetime experience of India. India too offers e-visa to over 100 countries (but yeah, Pakistan is an exception).
I feel, pros and cons for hosting it in India can be argued endlessly. One can find argument in favour as well as against depending on what you're looking for. When you can help organize the event meticulously by going to as far as Europe, you can certainly do better in your home turf.
You've a valid point about the absence of big stakeholders in India but such events are only meant to change this! Steemfest in India would likely attract local crypto community and developers to Steem ecosystem and bring a limelight to vastly untapped market here. Although Steemfest is a socializing and networking event but it's also a good platform for marketing and showcasing the potential of Steem blockchain..
20K ticket is definitely on a higher side and can be a spoiler for the most. But the one who are willing won't like to miss this opportunity, wherever it may be!
For me, I ain't very sure to join you there at this moment but let's see how things turn out by that time. Hopefully, Indian crypto ecosystem will also have more clarity by then. If the event is scheduled after Diwali, I might think about it.
Wishing you and your crew and all friends a great time in Bangkok. I'm happy that at least the Fest has come down to Asia this year 😊
Continuing from my comment above. Thailand is a great destination and popular all around the world even amongst Indians and visa is easy for everybody especially our own neighbours. I'm not sure why you'd think Pakistani citizens can get Indian visa easily or for that matter there are a large number of active users here from Nepal especially after their ban on crypto.
There's a lot of logistical planning that goes into an event like this. We can probably do this in a metro city but the unconference days aren't easy to pull off with our level of chaos in metro cities. Our options for venues and experiences for all in Amsterdam, Lisbon and even Krakow have been on another level. I can't quite put a finger on which Indian city with great flight connectivity can enable something similar. Food is probably an area we can match expectations and mostly beat-again possible if we're doing it a 5-star and those events in India cost as much if not more than previous SF tickets. Thai food is also fantastic! :D
We had our closing dinner in a 13th century Sandmine near Krakow. An incredible experience in itself. Can we really rent out a similar historical location in India? Highly doubt that. It might seem grand but it's all about ensuring a great, consistent experience for everyone including the organizers. India is a very different place and it will require a very different kind of planning to execute an event like this for a multi-cultural audience. It can be done and someday it will happen but not anytime soon.
But this is not about India having more Steemians over Thailand. US has a lot more than we do including large stakeholders and we haven't gone there due to costs and visa hurdles. People in US want it from the beginning but it won't be a multi-cultural event which i think it should continue to be if we are to appeal to a global audience and mainstream adoption year after year.
Frankly we also don't have many large stakeholders interested in building a large, thriving, long lasting community of users from India yet, just a handful people including myself trying to keep things going especially after the bull run and rbi issues. Churning amongst active users from India is also high as many start using and leave if they don't make money quickly. As much as I'd love to have an event in our backyard we are far from ready for it.
Please make it to this one and i'm sure it'll be worth the experience. :)
Also worth noting is how this poll goes and how many respond in the affirmative. 20K ticket prices in India in a city for example that many might have visited already could also put local people off from visiting. :)
Thanks for an elaborate explanation on your stance! I understand the challenges and agree with most of the points raised by you here.
Of course, there is a slight disadvantage of cost and convenience when opting for hosting it in India but India has its unique advantages too which no other place can offer. Most international visitors will be glad to get once in a lifetime experience of India. India too offers e-visa to over 100 countries (but yeah, Pakistan is an exception).
I feel, pros and cons for hosting it in India can be argued endlessly. One can find argument in favour as well as against depending on what you're looking for. When you can help organize the event meticulously by going to as far as Europe, you can certainly do better in your home turf.
You've a valid point about the absence of big stakeholders in India but such events are only meant to change this! Steemfest in India would likely attract local crypto community and developers to Steem ecosystem and bring a limelight to vastly untapped market here. Although Steemfest is a socializing and networking event but it's also a good platform for marketing and showcasing the potential of Steem blockchain..
20K ticket is definitely on a higher side and can be a spoiler for the most. But the one who are willing won't like to miss this opportunity, wherever it may be!
For me, I ain't very sure to join you there at this moment but let's see how things turn out by that time. Hopefully, Indian crypto ecosystem will also have more clarity by then. If the event is scheduled after Diwali, I might think about it.
Wishing you and your crew and all friends a great time in Bangkok. I'm happy that at least the Fest has come down to Asia this year 😊
Diwali is in Oct 2019 afaik, Event dates are 6-10 Nov.
True. Thailand is the apt location to conduct this meetup. 👍
Yes. :)