Comment on Miniconfs replaced by Specialist Streams

[alecthegeek]

Concern about "weaker" presenters still being funded

I don't think this is fair. I've been at three LCA's so far (2020 is my 4th) and to be honest I have found that the quality of speakers across the whole conference is often weak. Contrariwise some of the miniconf speakers are very good.

Maybe we can use the mini confs to our benefit to help us improve the quality of the main programme. This would be a long term project

For example:

• In order to present at the main conf you must be able to show a CV of previous talks including video examples.

• Minconfs provide a way to create such a portfolio as they do take unproven speakers.

• In order for this to work we would provide miniconf speakers with feedback for improvements next time.

• If we have enough interest maybe experienced speakers could run an "Improve your presentation skills" miniconf. I'd be happy to help organise the 1st one.

[McJones]

I do agree on "weaker" being a bit of a harsh term, some of my favourite talks at many conference I go to tend to be during the Miniconfs/specialist track sessions.
Especially so at Pycon AU where I think consistently their best talks are the during the specialist tracks (not that the main tracks are bad or anything).

I am ambivalent about the idea of requiring speaking experience for the main tracks to have a talk accepted. While I really like the basis of this idea around using the Miniconfs as both a feeder and presentation leveller for the main conference it will require SERIOUS commitment and integration of the Miniconfs and the main organisers.
I do think it is well worth discussing though.

As an aside I am totally down for an "Improve Your Presentations" Miniconf.