Master oSC13 Kostas just published his “only 58 days to go” blog in his series of daily how are we doing posts and it should be clear that with less than two months to go, we’re getting close! openSUSE conference 2013 is already just around the corner… And starting today, you can sign up to volunteer and help out at the venue!

Join the Team

Many people are already helping with the organization in trello.com/osc13 – if you have not seen where we are yet, just follow the link and check it out! We want to organize our event as openly as possible, and Trello is a great way of doing that.

But there is more than preparation. We also need an ‘army on the ground’: the people who make it happen on the conference days! If you want to get more involved and help out during the conference days, you can apply to be a volunteer for oSC13 by filling out the form at http://bit.ly/10s5HDJ. We need you!

Training

One important thing to have in mind is that ALL Volunteers must attend the Volunteers Training, which means that you have to be at the venue on the 18th of July at noon. This year the training of the volunteers will be something you have never seen before. Beyond the regular volunteer training you will be able to get some basic knowledge on First Aid and how to react on-site in case of emergency or disaster (such as a fire or an earthquake). All the training will be conducted by professionals. Our purpose is for volunteers to acquire knowledge that can be used basically everywhere.

The Awesome Greeko’s at oSC12 in Prague

About oSC13

As a quick refresher of your memory, this year the openSUSE Conference takes place in the beautiful city of Thessaloniki, Greece. The to-be-awesome event is organized by our Greekos, an elite team of Greek contributors to openSUSE.

The event is shaping up to be a one-of-a-kind, bringing together the beautiful beaches with the incredible history of Greece in one inspiring place. And you can be a part of it!

The Conference is getting closer while the team makes progress. Let’s talk numbers: two promotional video’s have been made, a choice of 7 hotels is available on the conference website and we are just five weeks from June 17, the deadline for your paper submissions!

The openSUSE Conference – Greece!

The moment is drawing close for you to attend the openSUSE Conference 2013. This time we will meet at the fantastic city of Thessaloniki, Greece. Our Greek ambassadors have worked long and hard to provide all the necessary commodities for the attendees. We will be housed as a conference in the Olympic Museum, and there could not have been a better place to be. It evokes much of the spirit of what our community is, a team of people striving for a common goal.

Remember that accommodations are set by yourself, although the project does provide places where you can stay for a possible reduced price. Please read further to find the recommended lodging locations in Thessaloniki. The travel support program made news last week announcing the availability of financial support, up to 80%, for those attending the conference from far away. As always, there is a criteria to be met in order to receive the funding, but it is available and our Travel Team is ready for you!

Promotion

Please help us spread the word about the conference. The more others know what is happening around them, the more likely they are to attend. This event is also a great promotion for the team as a whole. Given our recent release, openSUSE 12.3, the media have covered our progress on the distribution widely. Adding to that media presence, our conference is also another focus of promotion for the project. If you own a blog, Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus account, or any social media, you can download these promotional conference banners, flyers, posters at https://conference.opensuse.org/#promote

A new video is up on YouTube available here!

Put the badges and news on your favorite social media and spread the word about the openSUSE Conference!

Conference information

Some important links:

• Hotels
• Paper Submissions
• Venue

Two sites where you can book cheap flight to Greece are Petas.gr and airtickets.com

Our Amazing Greeks

Get moving!

While it might seem only May, it is already May! You’ll have to make sure your paper submission is sent and your hotel and flight are booked! Even if you are unable to attend the conference, please spread the news about the conference. To raise awareness about our openSUSE team is an effort in which we all take part.

Those attending the conference should be ready to actively participate in the proceedings. Please beware that a team effort involves everyone and when you are at the conference, likely, you will be asked to participate in organizing different things that you may not have planned for. We expect your enthusiasm and willingness to participate!

Now is also the time to plan for those who may have been undecided about attending the conference. Invite friends, colleagues and anyone that shows an interest in the world of openSUSE. A conference like this is a great opportunity to make friends, and long lasting contacts for projects of your own in which openSUSE and its infrastructure can help you succeed.