I'm going to make it a point to attend.

edd, I suggest you give Ron Paul a shot on his campaign site for being a speaker. Try to sell him on Bitcoin. I would but it has a preference for event owners.

edd

Is there a charge for attending the conference and setting in on the Bitcoin Talks? What the hell did I just write? Bitcoin Talks. Hmmm! First annual Bitcoin Talks, featuring speakers versed in all things Bitcoin???

Hi community,

Since I first discovered bitcoin in July, ive been searching for a potential entry into some kind of business.
After the conference in Prague I was quite surprised just how many developers are in the community that are passionate about bitcoin and are trying to set up some kind of business.  The environment im used to is the opposite, its the entrepreneurs trying to convince a good cto to be passionate about their idea.  Im very surprised more entrepreneurs aren't flocking in.

So here is an idea, (feel free to steal it as long as you tell me where to find it):

If we started a group buying club and targeted an area like:
electricity
fuel card
Telecoms
Hosting
starbucks? (its just an idea)
credit cards
Insurance

Something we all use and spend fiat money on every month.

Set up a group account like a corporate account with these companies. Allow members to pay in bitcoin and pay the bills in fiat.  Profits could be taken from commissions from the service provider and everyone could use hundreds bitcoin every month on living expenses.

Im guessing the states would be the obvious choice due to the numbers as i feel you would need do it country by country.  If you know of any services we all use that dont relate to country then im listening.

If you are a developer and see some issues with the idea, or would like to be involved I would need a few to come in on an equity only deal.

When i was 21 i negotiated a mobile phone deal with a company in Sydney, the prices i negotiated were about half that of regular retailers.  The deal was about to get over the line but i was a bit cocky with my marketing rhetoric and the legal team had an issue with it at the 11th hour and cut me off.  I had hundreds of people registering every day.....My marketing message was something like;
 "lets control these corporate phone companies by joining our buying power together".

Of course once you have everyone on one account, you have stronger negotiating skills to move the account elsewhere and secure bigger discounts, Since then ive been thinking about it for over a decade, and i think this might be the right group of people to make something work.  If its a stupid / good idea then please make some comment. 

I would suggest electricity is a good place to start, as you cant tell the difference between electricity form company A and company B.  But i have knocked on their door before and they arent so easy to get to.  This could be expanded to food and other products, although you would have to support a big chain.

I dont think it would be advertised as bitcoin buying group either, just a regular buying group that accepts bitcoins but maybe not even advertised on the site.  Here is an example of a buying group: http://www.buyinggroups.co.uk/mercia.html

Who's interested? Whos' got feedback?

Mitch

I just sent 12 BTC to reserve a table spot. Please confirm that received the funds.

I have stayed at Microtels many times, and yet to have a bad experience. Here is a link: https://reservation.magnusonhotels.com/bbe/page2.aspx?checkin=03%2F17%2F2012&nights=2&rooms=1&adults=1&children=0&promo=&corp=&group=&IATA=&Search=Check+Availability&propertyID=8982

Senior and AAA rates are $53.10. I sure do hate taking away $ from Hyatt after they've been so kind to provide a convention venue. I'm sure they won't take it personal, though.

Thanks for sponsoring our event guys.

I was curious how you are going to pay for the convention room with payments of 12 btc for a table.  How many tables do you need to sell to pay for the room?
This was a problem we ran into that nobody paid until the last fortnight but we had to pay the room a month in advance, we had no idea how many people would turn up.

The photo of the convention centre looks like many thousands of dollars a day, how many bitcoin businesses are there?

Hopefully you have all this under control, good luck with your event.

Just want to confirm that the exhibit table spot is only 12 BTC. I'm toying with bringing my own table. Also, what is the discount rate of the rooms? Plus, I'll do whatever you need me to do to help out before, during and after the convention. Just name it, and I'll probably do it.

I've stayed at both hotels. I can't really remember a difference. Heh. Maybe it's just me.

I'll be staying in my pimped out Bitcoin Bus that runs on burning money.

Add me to the list of attendees and exhibitors (Bitcoin Leather by Martin Basurto http://www.hotbikeweb.com/tech/0813_hbkp_hand_tooled_leather_seats/viewall.html)

Is it mandatory to stay at the Hyatt while attending the conference? Also, I can plan on arriving a few days early to lend a hand for setting up or anything else that needs addressing. I can also act as one of your volunteers/liaisons during the convention to make sure the event goes smoothly. I even know how to use a microphone, for I've emceed shows in Nashville for several years. Let me know how I can be of service to help make this a great convention.

Bruno

I'm still undecided.  Have you guys figured out what hotel you'll be staying at?

This is going to be great! I'm going to set up a booth and make money off people who want to have their picture taken with Atlas.

Seriously, I'm planning on going, Atlas (would you be so kind as to let me know how to refer to you? ALPHA's not cutting the mustard with me, but don't want to refer to you as Atlas if it's not appropriate). That is a pretty good gimmick that I suggested, but at no cost. Have your picture taken with Atlas at Bitcoin Convention 2012 in San Antonio, TX.

I'm planning on setting up a table selling Martin's hand tooled leather Bitcoin Wallets and rustic wood plaques with a message burned onto it. Details of this, forthcoming. I look forward to meeting, Atlas.

Bruno

As a newbie, however, I have to wonder out loud why a community that trumpets the independence from "central authorities" as one of the merits of its alternate currency is obsessed with chaining it back together with some form of government-backed currency.  I mean, everyone is worried about its (declining) exchange rate with the US dollar.  Or when I look around, any kind of services or goods that can be bought with bitcoins is always converted to its US$ equivalent.  Unless I misread the part that reads: Why aren't many more services and goods being offered without having to reach for the calculator and plugging in the current USD:BTC exchange rate?

alue is controlled by the laws of supply and demand.