Q&A session with Vegard Skjefstad

Vegard Skjefstad is the Core:Organizer at The Gathering 2008. He was one of the guys who started The Gathering back in 1992, and he always has a lot of information that we would like to give to the readers of gathering.org.

Many of you are curious about what is going on before The Gathering, and how much is there really to prepare before the doors open?
We made a Q&A session with Vegard.

The Gathering is a great happening. It's big, which means that there has to be some preparations before the opening. When you start your work with The Gathering, what is the first things you have to think of?

Most things are in some way or the other prepared starting the week before the last TG.
TG08 was preparation wise started the week before TG07. One evaluates what happens during TG07, what went wrong, what was forgotten, what should have been done a different way etc.
Then it's an ongoing effort on getting sponsors, checking for better, bigger and preferably, cheaper equipment for TG08.
Making new routines and ways to handle things that are more efficient and leave time to expand the party in any way.
TG is a baby, and needs nourishment, proper care and stimulation to grow!

There are 7 organizers this year. How do you communicate during the year?

Mostly group emails, IRC-meetings etc. We also have live meetings to handle issues that require thought and a group session to handle it in a good manner. These issues are where we need a consensus and have the same direction in mindset to handle. Like the info about this years ticket prizes and how to handle the what-if questions around that issue.

All the organizers also know each fairly well, and know how to speak to each other. If I am into doing something that affect other organizers, I know for the most time how they want me to act and vice versa, they know what I mean when I say something, even if it's brief. Knowing the mindset of the people you work with is vital for something that is so demanding, highly intensive and unpaid as TG is.

For the unpaid part, that is to state the TG is almost a second job, and requires people to have respect for each others time, as it does cost them family wise or job wise. TG is not something that only costs a weekend or so now and then. It requires constant attention year round.

As we know, you are the Core:Organizer, can you tell us something about your role?

I like to call it chief-slave. Whatever is forgotten ends up in my dump. That means I and my team must prepare for any possible catastrophe and every nook and cranny needed which other teams might forget. There are so many thousand items that needs to be in place, and always a few which is somebody's problem, which means EVERYONE forgets. Simply put, everything from getting labels on everybody's spot to making cleaning rounds around the hall during TG. Me and Tony Soprano likes all the dirty jobs.

What are the most difficult challenges during the TG-preparations?

Improving and reinventing ourselves. You can always do better, and you can always make something new and interesting happen to make a better event.

Many people see you as a role model and mentor in arranging data parties, and they want to do it just as good as you've made The Gathering. What is the secret to success? Are there any tips or tricks you want to share with us?

Walk the walk. There are shortcuts (like listening to those who did parties before), but mostly its a lot of work to succeed.
Most people think that renting a hall, getting the equipment and putting up a website is all it takes. This is important and hard work, but most people are lazy after that, and thinks people come by themselves. To get them to your website, they need to know of it.
Make posters and drive around to ALL schools within 50km of where the party is. Post party info on every site remotely related to any party goer that might show up. Tell people in first person. Troll EVERY IRC channel local or regional near you, or within your interest group.
Marketing costs money. Most of the things above are free and cost only time and effort. Do this, and you can build a big event over time.

There are always things to improve. Will there be any major changes this year, that will make The Gathering 2008 even better then last year?

Too soon for any great relevations, but expect special guests and speakers from developers and companies behind all your daily technology. We also herald more of the education and job related stuff as people seem really into this. Expect also new challenges to all you guys out there with a creative spark.

Are there anything else you want to say to the people?

Talk to us. No question to small or to stupid. We rather have you get in touch and get an answer you don't like than complaining about something that should have been different. We learn more from those that ask questions so we can change things.
Tips up of interesting bands, people etc. who wants to show off at TG08.

There will be more Q&A sessions during the preparations to The Gathering 2008. If you have any questions, please send them to us: tg08info-content at gathering dot org