Possible venues for Git Merge 2025

Possible venues for Git Merge 2025

[Patrick Steinhardt]

Hi,

given that this year is the 20th anniversary of the Git project it would
be great to host another Git Merge so that the wider community can come
together and celebrate. Taylor and I have been chatting about this
opportunity a bit to figure out what we're going to do this year.

We have been discussing two different options:

  - Hosting in the US in San Francisco at the GitHub HQ.

  - Hosting in the EU in Amsterdam colocated with the Open Source
    Summit Europe.

Typically, the location is alternating on a yearly basis between the US
and the EU. So given that last year it was hosted in Berlin it would be
the US' turn. But given the recent political climate in the US I'm
afraid that many people would not feel comfortable traveling there right
now. So in the spirit of being inclusive I think we should at least
consider whether we may want to break the typical alternating cycle and
host in the EU again.

I have been reaching out to the Linux Foundation, and initial feedback
has been positive that colocating would be possible. I do not yet have
any details though, so we'd know for sure in the first half of April
whether this is an option in the first place.

Until then I wanted to get a bit of feedback from the community so that
we can assess better whether my fear is unfounded or not, and what the
majority's preference would be.

Patrick

Re: Possible venues for Git Merge 2025

[Taylor Blau]

On Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 11:31:36AM +0100, Patrick Steinhardt wrote:
> Hi,
>
> given that this year is the 20th anniversary of the Git project it would
> be great to host another Git Merge so that the wider community can come
> together and celebrate. Taylor and I have been chatting about this
> opportunity a bit to figure out what we're going to do this year.
>
> We have been discussing two different options:
>
>   - Hosting in the US in San Francisco at the GitHub HQ.
>
>   - Hosting in the EU in Amsterdam colocated with the Open Source
>     Summit Europe.

Sorry for the miscommunication on our part! Let me clarify some of the
details around where things are with Git Merge planning:

I have been looking into various option for Git Merge this year to
celebrate the project's 20th anniversary. After exploring a number of
options, GitHub has secured the budget and space availability to host
Git Merge at GitHub HQ in San Francisco over a couple of weekdays in
September!

We haven't finalized exactly what those two days are yet, hence why I
haven't sent an announcement yet to the list. As soon as we finalize
what those dates are, I'll send an announcement with the details
(including the dates ;-)).

Please expect that from me soon, and I am very much looking forward to
seeing as many people in San Francisco to celebrate as can make it!

Thanks,
Taylor

RE: Possible venues for Git Merge 2025

[rsbecker]

On March 20, 2025 9:47 AM, Taylor Blau wrote:
>On Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 11:31:36AM +0100, Patrick Steinhardt wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> given that this year is the 20th anniversary of the Git project it
>> would be great to host another Git Merge so that the wider community
>> can come together and celebrate. Taylor and I have been chatting about
>> this opportunity a bit to figure out what we're going to do this year.
>>
>> We have been discussing two different options:
>>
>>   - Hosting in the US in San Francisco at the GitHub HQ.
>>
>>   - Hosting in the EU in Amsterdam colocated with the Open Source
>>     Summit Europe.
>
>Sorry for the miscommunication on our part! Let me clarify some of the details
>around where things are with Git Merge planning:n
>
>I have been looking into various option for Git Merge this year to celebrate the
>project's 20th anniversary. After exploring a number of options, GitHub has secured
>the budget and space availability to host Git Merge at GitHub HQ in San Francisco
>over a couple of weekdays in September!
>
>We haven't finalized exactly what those two days are yet, hence why I haven't sent
>an announcement yet to the list. As soon as we finalize what those dates are, I'll
>send an announcement with the details (including the dates ;-)).
>
>Please expect that from me soon, and I am very much looking forward to seeing as
>many people in San Francisco to celebrate as can make it!

While I would love to be at Git Merge, travel to the US is currently restricted and I will
not be able to attend meetings at a US venue. Amsterdam would be a more acceptable
location for the foreseeable future. I hope that will change by September, but it is not
up to me.

--Randall

Re: Possible venues for Git Merge 2025

[brian m. carlson]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 1796 bytes --]

On 2025-03-20 at 10:31:36, Patrick Steinhardt wrote:
> given that this year is the 20th anniversary of the Git project it would
> be great to host another Git Merge so that the wider community can come
> together and celebrate. Taylor and I have been chatting about this
> opportunity a bit to figure out what we're going to do this year.
> 
> We have been discussing two different options:
> 
>   - Hosting in the US in San Francisco at the GitHub HQ.
> 
>   - Hosting in the EU in Amsterdam colocated with the Open Source
>     Summit Europe.
> 
> Typically, the location is alternating on a yearly basis between the US
> and the EU. So given that last year it was hosted in Berlin it would be
> the US' turn. But given the recent political climate in the US I'm
> afraid that many people would not feel comfortable traveling there right
> now. So in the spirit of being inclusive I think we should at least
> consider whether we may want to break the typical alternating cycle and
> host in the EU again.

Yes, I do think that given current circumstances the U.S. is not a good
place to host events.  Perhaps that will change in the future, but I
don't think that would be a prudent choice right now.  I've talked to
several people who are uncomfortable traveling there, so we'd probably
get better attendance hosting elsewhere.

I would be fine with Amsterdam, and I might also suggest a major
Canadian city (such as Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver) if we preferred
to do this in North America (since we've traditionally alternated
continents).  I can imagine other locations outside of the U.S. that
might be fine as well, so I'm willing to keep an open mind if a good
opportunity comes up.
-- 
brian m. carlson (they/them or he/him)
Toronto, Ontario, CA

[-- Attachment #2: signature.asc --]
[-- Type: application/pgp-signature, Size: 263 bytes --]

Re: Possible venues for Git Merge 2025

[Patrick Steinhardt]

On Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 10:09:29PM +0000, brian m. carlson wrote:
> On 2025-03-20 at 10:31:36, Patrick Steinhardt wrote:
> > given that this year is the 20th anniversary of the Git project it would
> > be great to host another Git Merge so that the wider community can come
> > together and celebrate. Taylor and I have been chatting about this
> > opportunity a bit to figure out what we're going to do this year.
> > 
> > We have been discussing two different options:
> > 
> >   - Hosting in the US in San Francisco at the GitHub HQ.
> > 
> >   - Hosting in the EU in Amsterdam colocated with the Open Source
> >     Summit Europe.
> > 
> > Typically, the location is alternating on a yearly basis between the US
> > and the EU. So given that last year it was hosted in Berlin it would be
> > the US' turn. But given the recent political climate in the US I'm
> > afraid that many people would not feel comfortable traveling there right
> > now. So in the spirit of being inclusive I think we should at least
> > consider whether we may want to break the typical alternating cycle and
> > host in the EU again.
> 
> Yes, I do think that given current circumstances the U.S. is not a good
> place to host events.  Perhaps that will change in the future, but I
> don't think that would be a prudent choice right now.  I've talked to
> several people who are uncomfortable traveling there, so we'd probably
> get better attendance hosting elsewhere.
> 
> I would be fine with Amsterdam, and I might also suggest a major
> Canadian city (such as Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver) if we preferred
> to do this in North America (since we've traditionally alternated
> continents).  I can imagine other locations outside of the U.S. that
> might be fine as well, so I'm willing to keep an open mind if a good
> opportunity comes up.

The only reasons why I proposed Amsterdam are the Open Source Summit and
that I have some ways to help out with organizing the event over there.
I would be equally happy with alternatives like Canada, but didn't
really want to propose alternatives like this myself because I would
have to push the entire burden onto somebody else.

So if it would be a possibility and if people could help out getting
things organized in other countries/continents I'd be happy.

Patrick

RE: Possible venues for Git Merge 2025

[rsbecker]

On March 25, 2025 8:55 AM, Patrick Steinhardt wrote:
>On Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 10:09:29PM +0000, brian m. carlson wrote:
>> On 2025-03-20 at 10:31:36, Patrick Steinhardt wrote:
>> > given that this year is the 20th anniversary of the Git project it
>> > would be great to host another Git Merge so that the wider community
>> > can come together and celebrate. Taylor and I have been chatting
>> > about this opportunity a bit to figure out what we're going to do this
year.
>> >
>> > We have been discussing two different options:
>> >
>> >   - Hosting in the US in San Francisco at the GitHub HQ.
>> >
>> >   - Hosting in the EU in Amsterdam colocated with the Open Source
>> >     Summit Europe.
>> >
>> > Typically, the location is alternating on a yearly basis between the
>> > US and the EU. So given that last year it was hosted in Berlin it
>> > would be the US' turn. But given the recent political climate in the
>> > US I'm afraid that many people would not feel comfortable traveling
>> > there right now. So in the spirit of being inclusive I think we
>> > should at least consider whether we may want to break the typical
>> > alternating cycle and host in the EU again.
>>
>> Yes, I do think that given current circumstances the U.S. is not a
>> good place to host events.  Perhaps that will change in the future,
>> but I don't think that would be a prudent choice right now.  I've
>> talked to several people who are uncomfortable traveling there, so
>> we'd probably get better attendance hosting elsewhere.
>>
>> I would be fine with Amsterdam, and I might also suggest a major
>> Canadian city (such as Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver) if we
>> preferred to do this in North America (since we've traditionally
>> alternated continents).  I can imagine other locations outside of the
>> U.S. that might be fine as well, so I'm willing to keep an open mind
>> if a good opportunity comes up.
>
>The only reasons why I proposed Amsterdam are the Open Source Summit and
that
>I have some ways to help out with organizing the event over there.
>I would be equally happy with alternatives like Canada, but didn't really
want to
>propose alternatives like this myself because I would have to push the
entire burden
>onto somebody else.
>
>So if it would be a possibility and if people could help out getting things
organized in
>other countries/continents I'd be happy.

There are multiple venues in the Toronto area that can support 1500+
attendees. 
Examples I have used:
Metro Toronto Convention Centre (downtown, likely preferable but they need
the longest advanced notice)
Westin Harbour Castle (downtown, loads of conference space)
Exhibition Place (downtown, no on-site hotels)
Rogers Centre (downtown, decent hotel and conference rooms)
Various airport hotels (including Marriot)

There are convenient dedicated express trains from the airport to downtown
that
accept luggage. Most airport hotels (Marriot) have shuttles to/from the
airport continuously
from 0400h to 0200h.

I have been to all of the above - and organized conferences at each about 2
decades ago, but
info should still be valid. I can assist if requested.

--Randall

Re: Possible venues for Git Merge 2025

[brian m. carlson]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 1453 bytes --]

On 2025-03-25 at 12:54:51, Patrick Steinhardt wrote:
> The only reasons why I proposed Amsterdam are the Open Source Summit and
> that I have some ways to help out with organizing the event over there.
> I would be equally happy with alternatives like Canada, but didn't
> really want to propose alternatives like this myself because I would
> have to push the entire burden onto somebody else.
> 
> So if it would be a possibility and if people could help out getting
> things organized in other countries/continents I'd be happy.

I think there are other concerns and it appears the decision has been
made, but of course I'd be happy to help out with things if Git Merge
were in Toronto.  I don't have experience organizing events, but I am
pretty familiar with the city, having lived here for almost 4 years, and
could, of course, make suggestions on locales or help coordinate things
to the best of my ability.  The city also has great public transit[0],
which I always think is an asset for travelers from out of town.

I must say I am less familiar with Montréal, having been there only
twice, but I do speak French reasonably well (although English is
commonly spoken) and it's only a five-hour train ride, so if that were
the choice I'd be happy to help there as well, although I'm less
confident in my abilities.

[0] By North American, not European standards.
-- 
brian m. carlson (they/them)
Toronto, Ontario, CA

[-- Attachment #2: signature.asc --]
[-- Type: application/pgp-signature, Size: 263 bytes --]

Re: Possible venues for Git Merge 2025

[Johannes Schindelin]

Hi Patrick,

On Tue, 25 Mar 2025, Patrick Steinhardt wrote:

> On Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 10:09:29PM +0000, brian m. carlson wrote:
> > On 2025-03-20 at 10:31:36, Patrick Steinhardt wrote:
> > > given that this year is the 20th anniversary of the Git project it would
> > > be great to host another Git Merge so that the wider community can come
> > > together and celebrate. Taylor and I have been chatting about this
> > > opportunity a bit to figure out what we're going to do this year.
> > >
> > > We have been discussing two different options:
> > >
> > >   - Hosting in the US in San Francisco at the GitHub HQ.
> > >
> > >   - Hosting in the EU in Amsterdam colocated with the Open Source
> > >     Summit Europe.
> > >
> > > Typically, the location is alternating on a yearly basis between the US
> > > and the EU. So given that last year it was hosted in Berlin it would be
> > > the US' turn. But given the recent political climate in the US I'm
> > > afraid that many people would not feel comfortable traveling there right
> > > now. So in the spirit of being inclusive I think we should at least
> > > consider whether we may want to break the typical alternating cycle and
> > > host in the EU again.
> >
> > Yes, I do think that given current circumstances the U.S. is not a good
> > place to host events.  Perhaps that will change in the future, but I
> > don't think that would be a prudent choice right now.  I've talked to
> > several people who are uncomfortable traveling there, so we'd probably
> > get better attendance hosting elsewhere.
> >
> > I would be fine with Amsterdam, and I might also suggest a major
> > Canadian city (such as Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver) if we preferred
> > to do this in North America (since we've traditionally alternated
> > continents).  I can imagine other locations outside of the U.S. that
> > might be fine as well, so I'm willing to keep an open mind if a good
> > opportunity comes up.
>
> The only reasons why I proposed Amsterdam are the Open Source Summit and
> that I have some ways to help out with organizing the event over there.

Is there still a chance to have a Git thing alongside the Open Source
Summit in Amsterdam? If so, I would be interested in going, as I -- like
so many others already shared -- will not travel to the States this year.

Ciao,
Johannes