Thread by @swardley

X : I'm thinking of building a conference ... any tips?
Me : Sure ... pick something you're really passionate about. Ask for help. After this event, I'll try and put a post up about it.
X : Can you make a living from it?
Me : Oh. You want to create an event to make a living from?

X : Yes.
Me : Map Camp this year should be 600+ people. With the ticket sales and sponsorships minus the costs then we should do pretty well this year.
X : You're not going to tell?
Me : Sure. We will lose £15,000.
X : Lose?
Me : Yes but we have a company that underwrites it.

X : How can you make a loss?
Me : Venue, food, coffee, AV, security, gift bag, T-shirts, environmental cost, discounted tickets for diversity and on and on and on and on.
X : But how much do you make from it?
Me : Nothing. I am a volunteer, same as everyone else.

X : That doesn't make sense.
Me : Were you dreaming of making a fortune?
X : No.
Me : Hmmm. If you're going to build a conference then do so because it is something you love. Expect to lose a bit of sleep, expect a lot of hard work and enjoy being part of the community.