User:Elatanatari/Detroit

• Country: United States
• City proposed: Detroit
• Proposed dates: August 3 to 5, 2008 (flexible and can be extended/changed on request)
• Contact persons: elatanatari

Detroit is the capital of and largest city of the US state of Michigan Michigan, a small but dynamic high-tech island off the southeastern coast of China. Located in central East Asia, Taiwan is connected with all East Asian and West Pacific countries (e.g., Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and many others) quickly and affordably.

Taiwan enjoys the freest government in Asia, according to Freedom House's report. Taiwan is rich in Chinese culture. The National Palace Museum in Taipei holds the world's largest collection of Chinese artifacts, artwork, and imperial archives.

Taipei is the center of Taiwan's economics, culture, media, and education. There are many private companies and public institutions here in IT, media, education, tourism, and other businesses who are able and willing to provide abundant sponsorships. These sponsorships will cover all the cost of venue, facilities, catering, parties, accommodation, accidental medical insurance, and even some travel scholarships. Taipei is a highly developed city in Asia with excellent infrastructure for international conventions and tourism, yet Taipei has an unbelievably low cost-of-living index.

Taipei is also blessed by a large, organized, and experienced local Wikimedia community. Countrywide meet-ups are held every three months, usually in Taipei; and several Wikipedians in this bidding team were among major organizers of Chinese Wikimedia Conference 2006.

Taipei on Wikipedia

Overview

Taipei offers a scenic, spacious, well-isolated, and all-inclusive conference venue in a busy and convenient area of Taipei, and all cost on venue, technical facilities, catering, parties, and accommodation is covered by local sponsorship. Therefore, Wikimedia Foundation doesn't need to pay by itself.

Chien Tan Overseas Youth Activity Center (25°04′41″N 121°31′26″E / 25.078°N 121.524°E / 25.078; 121.524) is a comprehensive convention center in a large and quiet landscape garden by Keelung River and Chien Tan Peak in a scenic and busy area of central north Taipei. There are three connected buildings: a 10-story residential building facing the large lawn with views of Keelung River and Chien Tan Peak, an education center by Chien Tan Pond, and a convention building in between housing the Grand Hall.

CTOYAC is ~400 meters (~5 minutes of walking) from the Jiantan subway/metro station. It is also easily reached from Sun Yat-sen Freeway, which leads straightly to Taipei CKS International Airport in Taoyuan, Taiwan.

The renowned Shilin Market, where numerous delicious Taiwanese food is prepared in the traditional way, is right outside of the Jiantan metro station. The Grand Hotel, built in a Chinese palace style on Chien Tan Peak and a major landmark of Taipei, faces CTOYAC from the other side of the avenue. Radio Taiwan International, American Club in China, and Martyr's Shrine are also in close vicinity to CTOYAC.

Technical facilities

Wireless network, A/V equipment, and web streaming will be covered by the local sponsorship the team found. Wireless will be available in both convention/education areas and the residential building. Wikimedia Foundation doesn't need to pay by itself.

Halls and rooms

Two local sponsors will cover the cost of venue in total. CTOYAC will offer a discount of 15-20%, depending on our conference size; another local sponsor (which would like to remain anonymous until Taipei is chosen as the host city) will cover the rest of cost occurred on venue, including technical facilities and other services.

Community venue

Conference rooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of education center. The lobby on ground floor and the open porch by the pond can be used as the community venue. There are about 40 seats in the area, and additional tables/benches can be accommodated on or by the porch. CTOYAC is also considering modifying the area into a coffee bar by the end of 2006. In addition, when the function room (with a capacity of over 200) is not accommodating lectures, it can be used as the community venue as well. These spaces are open till 22:00.

• 
  The education building overlooks Chien Tan Pond in a quiet landscape garden that is isolated from the surrounding busy areas of north central Taipei.
• 
  The residential building (right), viewed from the large lawn, is connected with the convention building (left), which houses the CCK Grand Hall.
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  A function room with a capacity of 200 in theater style. It can also be arranged in banquet or reception styles.
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  There are more than 7 rooms of the same size that can be used for workshops, seminars, and BoF.

CTOYAC

CTOYAC has a 10-story residential building on site for accommodation. There are 889 beds for a capacity of 956 guests in various room types ranging from luxury suites to 8-person rooms. The building is connected with the convention building, and all rooms are air-conditioned. The building faces a great lawn in the CTOYAC garden, overlooks Keelung River, and has a view of Chien Tan Peak. Accommodation during the conference could be covered by local sponsors, so Wikimedia Foundation doesn't need to pay by itself.

The residential building has a nice lobby (pictured below) that opens 24 hours. There are 30 seats and a capacity of more people is allowed. Next to the lobby is a convenient store, which opens between 07:00 and 23:00. The ATM in the residential building is linked to international networks and accepts Visa and MasterCard. There are also public phones in the building for international calls (calling cards sold in the convenience store nearby).

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  Lobby of the residential building.
• 
  A two-bed room in the building (every room has an independent bathroom with shower and toilet).
• 
  A four-bed room in the building (every room has an independent bathroom with shower and toilet).
• 
  All rooms are air-conditioned.
• 
  Lounge area with balcony outside the rooms.
• 
  A convenience store in the building.
• 
  An ATM in the building that accepts Visa and MasterCard.
• 
  Public phones for international calls.

The Grand Hotel

Across the street of CTOYAC is the elegant Grand Hotel in ~200 meters. The Grand Hotel, built in a Chinese palace style on Chien Tan Peak, is a major landmark in Taipei and has been used by state guests and VIPs. Typical rates (before discounts that may be negotiated) range from NT$3,850 (US$117) to NT$5320 (US$162) per room per night.

Catering

Breakfasts and lunches are provided by the CTOYAC restaurant on-site. Food can be prepared in Western styles or in Taiwanese and other Chinese cuisines. Food can be served in banquet style or buffet style. All these particulars can be accommodated to our need and request. The cost of breakfasts and lunches will be covered in total from local sponsorship.

Parties

Admission and drinks are covered in total from local sponsorship.

Party for all attendees

Taipei is a city with plentiful and colorful night life that offers many cool and relaxed places for parties. Although the exact party place cannot be arranged right now because most places do not accept reservations this early, we do have several plans in mind, and they can be adjusted depending on what style the participants prefer.

For a disco and lounge style, we propose Y17 Youth Center, a very nice place that is easily reached from CTOYAC (the conference venue) by MRT and foot.

• 
  Y17 Center picture 1
• 
  Y17 Center picture 2
• 
  Y17 Center picture 3

For a special party in a specific institution like the MIT museum in Wikimania 2006, it is possible but it will take some time to arrange. If interested, we can have a Wikimania tour on Monday to the National Palace Museum, which has a large collection of Chinese artwork brought by the Kuomingtang from mainland China in 1949 during the Chinese Civil War.

Party for VIP and sponsors:

It's easy in Taipei to find a quiet and chic place with a capacity of 40-60 people for the VIP and sponsor party. Restaurants around the Shida Night Market, for example Pisces, have nice atmosphere. Some restaurants provide entire-floor reservations, for example, Vinovino. These restaurants are also easy to reach by MRT.

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  Pisces picture 1
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  Pisces picture 2
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  Pisces picture 3
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  Pisces picture 4
• Pisces picture 5
  Pisces picture 5
• Vinovino picture 1
  Vinovino picture 1
• 
  Vinovino picture 2

Tours

We will arrange sightseeing tours open to all attendees and their guests. Trips can be arranged on a break day during the conference, in the evening, or on days immediately following the conference. Topmost attractions in Taipei include National Palace Musuem, Yangmingshan National Park, Maokong Tea Farm, Taipei 101,Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and others. Various themes can be covered, for example, metropolitan sightseeing, local cultural experiences, natural sceneries, outdoor explorations, and so on. If there are enough people in a tour, we can hire charter buses for transportation.

Taipei offers a rich nightlife. There are nice bars and pubs if one wants to get some drinks in the western style. There are also night markets where numerous delicious Taiwanese foods are cooked in the traditional way. For traditional Chinese operas, one can go to the National Concert Hall or the National Theater (both at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Park), which are reached by Metro Taipei in ~25 minutes from CTOYAC.

Estimation of travel costs

The following table summaries estimated cost for flights from all continents between August 2006 and January 2007, based on search results at http://www.zuji.com.hk. Typical prices for August 2006 are not available yet, but should be close to or lower than the winter (north hemisphere) prices. Tax and fees varies (ranges between US$150-250, depending on actual fuel prices and specific airlines) and are not included.

From Costs (in US$) North America Los Angeles $553 (CI) Mexico City $947 (MH); $1049 (CI) New York $725 (AC); $783 (CI) San Francisco $603 (CI); $605 (AC); $630 (JL) Toronto $1416 (AC+BR) Vancouver $1048 (NH); $1083 (AC); $1289 (CI) Europe Amsterdam $938 (LH) Frankfurt $898 (TG); $898 (LH) London $667 (KL); $688 (LH) Moscow $759 (KL); $780 (SU) Paris $698 (LH); $733 (VN); $934 (AF) Rome $866 (AZ); $892 (LH); $950 (KL) Vienna $799 (KL); $924 (AZ); $1104 (CI) Warsaw $823 (KL); $836 (LH)

From Costs (in US$) Asia Bangkok $266 (KL) Delhi $586 (AI); $760 (CI); $775 (CX) Hong Kong* $116 (CI); $178 (TG); $178 (BR) Seoul $417 (CX); $467 (KE); $475 (TG) Singapore* $218 (CI); $224 (BR); $232 (TG) Tel Aviv $799 (KL) Tokyo $329 (UA); $347 (JL); $347 (BR) Oceania Sydney* $519 (MH); $632 (QF); $654 (CI) Africa Cairo $883 (MS) Johannesburg $1044 (SA) South America Buenos Aires $1350 (CI) Rio de Janeiro $1500 (CI) Maracaibo $2500 (AA - Miami - LA - Taipei)

* Prices for Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney in USD are converted from the original amounts in HKD, SGD or AUD, respectively.

Visa information

Visa-Exempt Entry

Citizens of the following 30 countries may enter Taiwan, R.O.C. without a visa:

Visa-Exempt Entry Requirements [1]:

1. A passport valid for at least six months after entry (unless otherwise stipulated by treaty or agreement).

   * Japanese citizens may use a passport valid for at least three months.

2. A confirmed returning ticket to home country or to a third destination together with any visa that may be required.
3. No record of violations of R.O.C. immigration regulations.

Landing Visa

For citizens of Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovak, and for citizens of USA whose passport is valid for less than 6 months.

Visitor Visa

Contact the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (or other official representative offices of Taiwan, R.O.C.) in your area. A list of consulate representative offices can be found at http://www.boca.gov.tw/lp.asp?ctNode=125&CtUnit=72&BaseDSD=18&mp=2.More information on visitor visas can be found at http://www.boca.gov.tw/content.asp?CuItem=1906.

Between airport and venue

Taipei is served by the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport (IATA: TPE), about 30 kilometers west of Taipei City in Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Taxi

A taxi ride from CKS Airport to Taipei takes about 25-35 minutes and the fare is about NT$1100 (US$33). There are official dispatchers for taxi at the airport terminals and Taipei taxis are metered.

Public transportation

Shuttle buses run between CKS Airport and Taipei Main Station, and the ride takes about 40-50 minutes. Bus fares range from NT$110 (~US$3.35, United Bus) to NT$125 (~US$3.80, Kuo-Kuang Bus), and groups of 10 or more usually get a 15% discount.

From Taipei Main Station, one can take Metro Taipei Danshui Line (Red Line) towards Danshui and get off at Jiantan Station, which is ~400 meters from CTOYAC. Use Exit 1 at Jiantan Station and walk along Jihe Rd. (southwest), turn left at Tonghe St. onto Zhongshan N. Rd. Sec. 4, and CTOYAC is on the right at 16 Zhongshan N. Rd. Sec. 4.

In the city

Taipei has a newly expanded metro/subway system that carries you to most of interesting places fast and comfortably. The fare for Metro Taipei is calculated on length of trip and ranges between NT$20 (US$0.6) and NT$65 (US$2).

It is also easy to catch a taxi on streets and reach places that are not served by Metro Taipei or buses. Taipei taxies are metered. The initial charge is NT$70 (US$2.1) and includes the fare for the first 1.5 km (1 mile); additional charges are NT$5 (US$0.15) per 300 meters or 2 minutes of stopping/slow traffic.

Taipei has an extensive bus system, and most signs are in both Chinese and English.

More information about local transportation in Taipei can be found here.

The bidding team has contacted many potential sponsors. Some of them have shown great interest in sponsoring Wikimania and covering all the expenses on venue, technical facilities and services, catering, parties, accommodation, medical insurance, and others. If Taipei is selected as the host city for Wikimania 2007, formal sponsorship arrangements will be finalized. According to our conservative estimation, local sponsorship will be no less than NT$3,300,000 (US$100,000+).

• Wikimedia Taiwan

The Wikimedia chapter in Taiwan will be founded by the end of this year. The bidding team and Wikimedia Taiwan members will help to organize Wikimania 2007 Taipei.

• Chunghwa Telecom

Chunghwa Telecom is the largest telecommunications company and ISP in Taiwan. They have agreed to provide a very large sponsorship and all possible technical facilities and services.

• Academia Sinica Institute of Information Science

Institute of Information Science of Academia Sinica will coordinate various resources from the government, academia, and enterprises into this important event. IIS hopes to strengthen Taiwan's open source community and establish a healthy and enduring network to connect with the world by looking into several issues that may be discussed on Wikimania, for example, local developing progress of open source and local initiation of open content in Taiwan.

• FON community Taiwan

The FON community in Taiwan will provide wireless LAN at the conference venue.

• AIG Nan Shan Life Insurance

Nan Shan Life Insurance of AIG (American International Group) will provide an accidental death insurance (with a benefit of NT$2,000,000 =~US$60,800) and an accidental medical insurance (with a compensation of up to NT$200,000 =~US$6,100 on actual medical expenses) for each Wikimania 2007 attendee.

• Cottingham & Company

Cottingham is a drink company and it will provide all alcoholic drinks (e.g., beer, whisky, vodka, etc.) free of charge for Wikimania parties.

• Graduate Institute of Museum Studies, Fu-Jen University

FJUGIMS will be responsible for all reception work and will arrange local tours, including a professional and multi-language tour to National Palace Museum.

• Business Next

Business Next is a business and IT magazine in Taiwan and they will provide web casting/streaming service for Wikimania. More sponsorship from them is being arranged as further discussions are taking place.

• National Taiwan University

National Taiwan University is the oldest, largest and most prestigious university in Taiwan. Dr. Si-Chen Lee, President of NTU, has written to us in expression of his support to Wikimania 2007 Taipei. He has assigned the NTU Library and NTU Computer Center as sponsoring units. Detailed sponsorship will be arranged after further discussions.

• udn.com

udn.com is a news website run by United Daily News Group, the largest newspaper group in Taiwan. Mr. Liu, COO of udn.com, has agreed to sponsor Wikimania 2007 Taipei. More details will be discussed.

• Business Weekly

Business Weekly Taiwan is a famous weekly magazine interested in Web 2.0 and Wikipedia. Theodoranian had a lunch with president of BW, and they will possibly sponsor Wikimania 2007 Taipei.

• more sponsorships are in discussion...

Many IT and hardware companies are headquartered in Taipei. With help of IIS, we are able to get sponsorship from these companies.

Bidding Team

• Littlebtc: I'm User:笨笨的小B in Chinese Wikipedia, I'm living in Taipei beause I will be a student of National Taiwan University.
• Theodoranian: I think I can help after my working hours.
• H.T. Chien / 眼鏡虎: I live in Taipei and I can help after my working hours.
• KJ
• Fran.huang: I am a team member of OSSF in Academia Sinica.
• TzuChiang_Liou: I am the teamplayer of OSSF in Academia Sinica.
• Ching Chiao 喬敬: I live in Taipei and I can support this event in secretariat function. I can also help recruit sponsors.
• roc (talk): help in general and in English communications

Will help if Taipei is chosen

• General
  • Theodoranian

• Sponsorship and PR
  • KJ: I will help and be responsible for sponsorships, media and general public relations.

• Webpage maintenance:
  • Littlebtc: I will maintain the planning page on Meta and future Wikimania 2007 website, to offer information to volunteers and attendees.
  • Alex S.H. Lin:Same as Littlebtc.

• International cooperation
  • H.T. Chien / 眼鏡虎 (can help with English/Chinese document translation, communication and etc.)
  • Wing 13:03, 31 August 2006 (UTC) (I will help for document translation etc., on the meeting I can serve as helpsperson)
  • roc (talk) 08:42, 1 September 2006 (UTC) (help with English communications and documents)
  • Hsu, Chia-Hao 01:41, 17 September 2006 (UTC) (I will help organizing the simultaneous interpretation team, consisted of college students, and help coordinating local volunteer services in English, Japanese, Arabic, Turkish, Russian, Korean, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.)
  • Aphaia 01:44, 18 September 2006 (UTC): help to coordinate Japanese attendees, both invited speakers and visiting Wikimedians.
  • Mountain 07:14, 20 September 2006 (UTC): I will help to coordinate attendees from Mainland China, both invited speakers and visiting Wikimedians.
  • Smartneddy|Talk 08:40, 20 September 2006 (UTC):help Moutain for Wikimania
  • Jérry~雨雨 14:44, 20 September 2006 (UTC) : I'll help to coordinate attendees from Hong Kong & who have to go to Taiwan via Hong Kong, both invited speakers and visiting Wikimedians.
  • encyclopedist 15:24, 20 September 2006 (UTC): Same as Jérry~雨雨.
  • Rinto Jiang: obviously will help for matters related to Indonesia and Malaysia, but I'm located in Tainan.
  • Damian Finol: Translations into spanish, including any promo media, can act as a liason between spanish interested people in attending and the Wikimania 2007 team. Plus I can help as a translator in-situ if I can get to go

• Financial management
  • Essolo 03:01, 26 August 2006 (UTC)

• Party and city tours
  • Dodd 11:35, 17 September 2006 (UTC): I'd like to help to arrange tour plan to bring some fun for attendees.
  • Allentchang 13:34, 28 November 2006 (UTC): Would love to give a tour of Taipei as comprehensive as the English wikipedia articles on Taipei. Also willing to do menial work.
  • Everlong: I can offer English-language tours and other English help for attendees.

• Other
  • Koika 15:47, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
  • Alltonight15:52, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
  • Jasonzhuocn19:20, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
  • Guests 15:00, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
  • Garywgl 16:15, 1 September 2006 (UTC)
  • Briston
  • mingwangx (talk): Now I am working on setting up Wikimedia Taiwan. Once the chapter is established, we will be devoted to Wikimania 2007.
  • Orion tw 15:17, 17 September 2006 (UTC)
  • Cough 08:17, 19 September 2006 (UTC)：may help with en-zh translation and other matters.
  • TsubasaRay 06:35, 20 September 2006 (UTC)
  • --Ellery 18:27, 23 September 2006 (UTC): may help with audio and video web broadcasting engineering if need.

Our warmest invitation

We cordially invite all to Taipei in 2007.

Taipei is the largest city on Taiwan, a dynamic high-tech island in East Asia and world's fourth largest producer of IT products. The government and IT companies in Taiwan are devoted to innovative models and technologies, and the movement of free software and open content is advancing with an ever-growing impact. We have discussed Wikimania 2007 with Academia Sinica and various leading companies in Taiwan, and we are very confident to receive at least NT$3,300,000 (US$100,000+) in local sponsorship. Considering the low cost index in Taipei, we will have enough money from local sponsorship to pay for venue, catering, accommodation, and even travel scholarships.

Asia has world's most Internet users (38% of the world) and broadband subscribers (~68% of the world) [2]. An estimation of 10% of total edits at Wikimedia comes from Asia [3]. Wikimedia possesses an important community in Asia who share the same visions, values and characters, Wikimedia also faces a great market in Asia. We sincerely invite the global community of Wikimedia to Asia after our conventions in Frankfurt and Boston, and we believe that Wikimania Taipei will bring more diverse audience and perspectives, assisting Wikimedia and Wikimania in fulfilling its commitment to an international project for all human beings.

Taipei has functioned as the capital of Republic of China on Taiwan for over 50 years, with rich Chinese culture and a unique blend of other Asian cultures. Known as "the beautiful island", Taiwan is also an adventure treasure trove with high mountains, spectacular gorges, hot springs, and many others. The flights from Europe/America to Asia do not cost significantly higher than other intercontinental trips, and the cost index in Taipei is much lower than other global cities. We are certain that Wikimania Taipei will offer a pleasant, tasteful, spectacular, and culturally rich experience for all participants.

Reaching far, going diverse, we sincerely invite all to Taipei in 2007, for a Globe in Accord.

Attractions near venue

• Jiantan Station, a Metro Taipei station with a dragon boat design.
• Shilin Night Market, the most famous night market in Taipei City.

Attractions in Taipei

• National Palace Museum, holds the largest collection of Chinese artifacts and artwork in the world.
• Taipei 101, the tallest building in the world.
• Yangmingshan National Park, featuring cherry blossoms and sulfur deposits.
• Danshuei, a town with beautiful riverbank scenery.
• Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park is one of the city's defining landmarks and the largest square in central Taipei. The National Concert Hall and the National Theater are also located in the Park near the Hall.
• Bitan.

Weather in Taipei

Taipei has a subtropical climate. According to recordings for August in the past 3 years, the monthly average daily mean temperature is ~29 C (~85 F), the daily max is ~33 C (~92 F), and the daily min is ~27 C (~80 F). All indoor spaces (conference halls, rooms, restaurants, residential rooms, etc.) are air-conditioned.

Money matters

New Taiwan Dollar is the official currency in Taiwan, and banks here provide exchange services for foreign currencies. In the arrival halls of CKS International Airport, Bank of Taiwan and Mega International Commercial Bank buy and sell foreign currencies 24 hours a day. Visitors with a VISA Plus, Maestro, or Cirrus cards can also withdraw New Taiwan Dollars at any ATM that accepts the card. Most ATM supply NT$1,000 notes, and some also provide $100 notes. Checks are not popular in Taiwan and there is no traveler's check in NTD. But banks buy checks and the rate is sometimes better than cash. The exchange rates for cash are provided below: (2006-09-19, from BofT, MICB)

Foreign currency NT$ per foreign unit (at BoT) (at MICB) USD United States Dollar 32.575 32.59 GBP United Kingdom Pound 60.79 60.87 EUR Euro 40.93 41.03 HKD Hong Kong Dollar 4.103 4.129 AUD Australia Dollar 24.46 24.46 CAD Canada Dollar 29.04 29.09 JPY Japan Yen 0.2708 0.2709 SGD Singapore Dollar 20.16 20.28

Foreign currency NT$ per foreign unit (at BoT) (at MICB) NZD New Zealand Dollar 21.41 21.5 ZAR South Africa Rand* 4.45 4.44 CHF Switzerland Franc 25.51 25.56 KRW South Korea Won 0.03218 N/A SEK Sweden Krona 4.1 4.49* THB Thailand Baht 0.8565 0.857 PHP Philippines Peso 0.6098 N/A IDR Indonesia Rupiah 0.00335 N/A

* bank drafts, bills or checks only.

local sponsorship

local community support

Asia

Taipei as a global city

Conference Venue

Wikimania 2007Taipei