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Ken Coar as a Speaker

I'm available to speak, give keynotes, give technical presentations, participate in panel discussions, or otherwise stand up in front of an audience. I've given presentations about Apache, the Web, HTML, CGI, network security, and the open development model. You can see some of my handout materials here on my Web site.

I regard speaking engagements as being either for the 'public good' or for a private or commercial audience. I'm not independently wealthy, so I have requirements concerning my expenses; the details are negociable depending upon the type of event, my schedule, and the event's means.

These requirements have evolved over several years of experience and several thousand dollars of unreimbursed personal outlay. They're based on financial concerns and acceptable levels of discomfort. Except as specified below, the equivalent of coach-class air travel or day-coach rail is perfectly acceptable.


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1. Out-of-Pocket Expenses
  1. All of my reasonable expenses must be paid (including airfare, lodging, tax, meals, ground transfer, and telephone). Significant ones (travel, lodging) must be prepaid or direct-billed.
2. Payment
  1. I require onsite payment for all except prepaid or direct-billed expenses.
3. Meals
  1. I require a meal allowance, or meals provided in lieu thereof, for each day or partial day that I'm travelling or in attendance at the event. The actual amount depends on the locale.
4. Air Travel
  1. Air travel must be on my choice of airline(s).
  2. If travel either way involves seven (7) or more hours in the air, layovers notwithstanding, it must be business class or better.
  3. Air travel incurs a ground transfer expense of at least US$150.
5. Ground Travel (e.g., rail):
  1. If either overnight or more than six (6) hours of travel are involved, class of service must include a first-class cabin or equivalent.
6. Speaking Fee
  1. For engagements for other than the 'public good,' I require a minimum speaking fee of US$1'000 or the equivalent in local currency. This requirement is subject to adjustment at my discretion according to circumstances, and is in addition to and separate from expense coverage.

These conditions are based on my experiences of losing significant sums of money by being stiffed for reimbursement ('the cheque's in the mail' is not a joke!); the fact that I'm taking time out of my life and away from my family in order to present; and the observation that long trips get progressively more uncomfortable the longer they are. (I'm a big chap and I don't fit well into coach-class seats, and the frequent/rapid changes in air pressure aggravate my arthritis.)

Current Speaking Schedule

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Past Speaking Engagements

(In reverse chronological order.)