FOTBM (Flash on The Beach Miami) site is up

John Davey just updated the FOTB website for the new event in Miami. Many of the speakers are already listed and we had a quick chat with John about Miami, the venue and the nightlife.

At Flash on The Beach in Brighton this year, there was a postcard in the attendee bags that just said "FOTBM". Nobody knew what it meant until conference organizer John Davey made a small dance on stage to the sound of Miami Sound Machine. The FOTB conference is going to the states, to the sunny state of Florida.

Miami. The word makes us think back to the eighties when Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas ruled the small screen on fridays. The location was a big surprise so I asked John a little more about FOTBM.

Q: Why Miami? Isn't that the crime capitol of the US or where rich americans go to retire?

A: On The Beach Baby! Firstly, let me address going to the USA, then I will go onto Miami. Over the past 3 years, FOTB's reputation has grown and grown. We are considered one of the best Flash conferences in the world, which is something I could only have dreamt for when I started this thing. Each year we have a few more and a few more attendees from the USA, but it has never been as many as come from the rest of the world. The general perception has been that the strength of the pound has meant that coming to FOTB Brighton is too expensive. Ironically, right now Americans coming to FOTB Brighton would be super cheap! Anyway, I have had so many emails from designers and developers in the U.S. asking if we can run FOTB in the States, so, that is why the USA.

Now, let's talk about Miami. FOTB has to be near a beach! Why? Well, it's in our title! No, seriously, a lot of other cities have been used in the States, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, so I didn't want to use any of those cities. I did a site visit to Miami and really didn't like downtown, but as soon as I went to South Beach, it was a completely different vibe. It reminded me of Brighton, plenty of bars and restaurants, great architecture, and most importantly a character and vibe that fits FOTB. As for crime and old people, don't be sucked into believing clichés! I will be the oldest person there!

Q: One of the things that make Brighton unique is the bars and pubs. How's the nightlife in Miami?

A: South Beach is terrific. Plenty of bars, plenty of restaurants, terrific weather and the beach is a REAL beach, not a stony beach! Walking around, I felt that it has a similar feel to Brighton. It is a great walking place. Blocks are short so getting anywhere doesn't take long.

Q: The Jackie Gleason venue is huge! Do you think it's possible to fill all the 2600 seats?

A: Yes, it is a big theatre! Don't forget that The Dome holds over 1600 in Brighton. We will run it the same way as in the UK, the balcony will be closed, which immediately reduces the seats right down, but also, I am working very hard on something that will  make the theatre size less of an issue, and will again set FOTB apart as one of he coolest gigs around! As you know, Flash on the Beach has a character that is different to many of the other conferences around. We do not like 'hotel venues' where an attendee sits in a room that could be anywhere in the world. We like theatres that have character and that can add to the ambience of the whole thing.

Vital ingredients for us are a venue with character, a town with plenty of watering holes and eating establishments, the worlds best speakers, and attendees who want to be educated, inspired and to be able to network. I always wanted to make FOTB a conference that I would like to go to. I would definitely go to Flash on the Beach (if I wasn't running it!!)

Coming from the cool (and today very snowy) north we have to admit that Miami in April sounds very tempting! The venue looks great and if John's impression of the South Beach holds up, this might become yet another great conference for designers and programmers. Will we see you there?

 

The FOTBM venue - Jackie Gleason Theater. Picture by Marcin Wichary

 

 

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