ApacheCon Europe 2001

ApacheCon Europe 2001 was in production by Camelot Communications Corp, 18 East 41st Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10017 when I published information about Camelot's possible financial situation. As soon as I told them I had published an article suggesting they appear to have traded while insolvent, a situation that is illegal in some countries, Camelot called, on Friday, July 13, at 4:00 am, to say they had closed the company. Camelot shut down their business leaving an unknown number of presenters owed thousands of dollars each.

For ApacheCon Europe 2000 in London, Camelot sent the air fare in advance, then paid the fee on the day with a cheque. For ApacheCon Santa Clara, Camelot paid nothing, zilch, zero. Despite repeated reminders, all they did was send me email saying they will pay one day.

ApacheCon is organised for the Apache Software Foundation. The ASF cancelled ApacheCon Europe 2001 and later found a new conference organiser for ApacheCon 2002. The ASF said they would look at covering some unpaid out of pocket expenses.

Update

The ASF eventually refunded airfares for those speakers who missed out on payment from Camelot. ApacheCon is now alive again with new producers thanks to all the hardworking volunteers in the ASF. Their future conferences are listed at apache.org/foundation/conferences.html.