Ignite Waterloo

One of the challenges that Ignite Waterloo faces is the growing popularity of our events. We try to accommodate as many attendees as possible, and we still sell out. As a result, some people can’t get in, while many attendees find the events too crowded. We’re trying to address these issues, and this post is a way of asking the community for help.

For our first five events we’ve enjoyed some wonderful spaces: The Museum, The Conrad Centre, and the event space at the Tannery. We may well have outgrown their capacity, though. Where in Waterloo Region should we hold our next event?

Here’s what we think we need in an ideal event venue, in order of priority:

• Seating for all attendees
• Space for socializing/mingling for all attendees
• Clear sight lines to the speaker, and to screens showing the visuals that accompany a talk
• Room for our Ignite Contest
• Comfortable access to food and drinks
• Easily accessible via public transit
• Capacity for 300–400 attendees

If you’ve been to any of our events, these requirements shouldn’t be a surprise. Note that the capacity is the lowest priority requirement in the list above. That is, we need to address the other issues, and if we can’t do so in a  larger venue then we’ll need to somehow manage with a smaller venue.

Please let us know about any venues that you think we should be considering. You can let us know by contacting us via Twitter, or by sending an email to info@ignitewaterloo.ca, or by commenting on this post. Those of you who know any of the organizers can, of course, approach us directly.