Our Story

My names Andy Luke and comics conventions are noteable events for me. While mostly fun, it's struck me how little business development I got done; against how much drinking and buddying we managed. When I went to my first Barcamp in Oxford I was struck by how easy it was with a loose structure to share information, and see everyone contribute something. By the end of the one-day event, a future Barcamp was already in the planning stages and a dozen other co-operative ventures were being formulated.

I found aspects of comics being discussed in Barcamps in Atlanta, Sarasota and Chiang Mai and so it seemed right to throw together a comics barcamp in my home city of Belfast. I contacted Blick Studios: set up to help incubate start-ups and small businesses from digital and creative industries, they provide affordable work space and meeting and event facilities.They agreed to provide tea and coffee, all their tech gear and give us the venue at a reduced price.

Why? Due to the nature of the event there are a number of costs incurred which make great sponsorship opportunities for local businesses, regional art/digital/publishing companies and international companies looking to increase their exposure amongst our community..Here's a comic I made about what sponsorship can do: http://www.irishcomicnews.com/barcamp-jeopardy-...

Signups so far include Paddy Brown, Gar Shanley, Gareth McKnight, Gareth Watson, Richard Barr and Deirdre de Barra. We've also had maybes from Will Simpson and support from Maeve Clancy

The event will run at Blick on the Malone Road in Belfast on Saturday 3rd September between 9am and 6pm.

The Impact

Blick Studios have agreed to supply the tea, coffee, technology and have given us a reduction on the room cost. Our basic need is for 75 to secure the payment of the venue: this is were the money will go first.

As everyone is a guest and some are coming from far away it's only right they are looked after. So we'd like to spend:

75 on venue

20 on soft drinks

25 on breakfast

30 on stationery 

100 on food

Also part of the money will go towards paying for sponsor perks if you would like them. (if not, indicate otherwise) We've listed these below. We've tried a number of company sources and we'd like to continue to do so. After the event, we'll publish all our accounts online. We'll mention you on our sponsors page on the wiki, to open and close the event we'll thankyou by name, referencing what your donation has been used for. Andy made a quick comic about this. If we raise more than we need, the money will be sent towards ComicsBarcampDublin the following year.

Other Ways You Can Help

We're still looking for people to

- secure audio/video accounts for talks and secure streaming on the day

- people to facilitate the running of sessions

- sponsors and people to contact sponsors

- people to car pool and provide crash space

- people to manage the main email, update the twitter, and wiki