The reason why WordCamps dwindled is for two reasons: (1) the local groups like to hold on to power. (2) For some reason they do not want to make the effort to do offer streaming.

(1) An example is WCTO19, did not happen, until way later I finally found out that because the organizers needed time off, they could of given the reins to others in the community to continue WCTO19. Obviously the next few did not occur due to panda. Some of the organizers each year were not even from Toronto. WCxx should be from xx. Organizers should be from the community, not friends of organizers.

(2) Apparently it is too much to do live streaming. Even though countless other conferences and festivals do it.

Maybe part of the issue is that speakers do not get paid. It can be quite expensive to speak at an event. Again if it’s local speakers, then cheaper than flying someone form let’s say Los Angeles, Miami, Mexico City or Bogota to Toronto.

It could be that you usually see “the same suspects” a lot of times.

I have suggested this before…what if people who want to speak submit a proposal, so when there is let’s say 500 proposal, people who purchased a ticket get to vote on their preferences and the top 100 get on the final schedule? Something like that.