[Australia 25] - CFP and tickets post (#2388)

* docs: added new dates for cfp and grant

* docs: added cfp post and pages

* toggle CFP flag

* toggling menu and adding cfp and tickets info

* adding social events and virtual files

* updates to buttons

* fixed error

* fixed uirls

* changes from feedback

* minor tweaks

Author: swapnilogale

docs/_data/australia-2025-config.yaml

@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ buttons:
        link: /news/welcome
   #   - text: Sponsor us
   #     link: /sponsors/prospectus
-  #   - text: Submit a Talk
-  #     link: /cfp
+     - text: Submit a Talk
+       link: /cfp
   #   - text: Date and ticket information
   #     link: /news/announcing-virtual-conf-dates-tickets
   #   - text: Read our conference guide
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ buttons:
       link: /news/welcome
   #  - text: Sponsor us
   #    link: /sponsors/prospectus
-  #  - text: Submit a Talk
-  #    link: /cfp
+    - text: Submit a Talk
+      link: /cfp
   #   - text: See the Schedule!
   #     link: /schedule
   #   - text: Date and ticket information
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ shirts:
 date: # how do we handle these? human readable would be nice.
   main: "**November 20-21, 2025**"
   short: Nov 20-21, 2025
-  tickets_live: "July 2025"
+  tickets_live: "June 2025"
   month: November
 
 # Conference is special for the index to show the combined conference days
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ date: # how do we handle these? human readable would be nice.
   day_two:
     event: Conference Day 2
     date: November 21
-    summary: And the conference goes on! We are already starting to miss you.
+    summary: And the conference goes on! We are already starting to miss you. ❤️
     dotw: Friday
     talk_time: 12:30-18:00
     unconference_time: 14:00-17:00
@@ -150,9 +150,10 @@ about:
 
 cfp:
   url: https://pretalx.com/wtd-australia-2025/cfp # Open June 19, 2024, 10 weeks to submit
-  ends: "August 30, 2025"              # 2 weeks to review and get confirmations
-  notification: "September 14, 2025"   # 10 weeks to write and prepare
-  slides_by: "November 14, 2025"       # 1 week before
+  ends: "August 31, 2025"              # 2 weeks to review and get confirmations
+  notification: "September 12, 2025"   # 9 weeks to write and record
+  video_by: "October 25, 2025"         # 3 weeks before the conf
+  slides_by: "November 07, 2025"       # 2 weeks before the conf
   preview: "TODO"                      # Preview URL TODO
 
 unconf:
@@ -161,9 +162,9 @@ unconf:
 
 
 grants:
-  url: https://forms.gle/W51eYRFvb6dzom4t6
-  ends: "October 1, 2025"
-  notification: "October 15, 2025"
+  url: https://forms.gle/3UrEBQ5oJyFBZFrn6
+  ends: "October 3, 2025"
+  notification: "October 10, 2025"
 
 
 sponsors:
@@ -178,10 +179,10 @@ sponsors:
       brand: Read the Docs
 
 # Things that change over time, listed in order of change
-flaglanding: True
+flaglanding: False
 flaghassponsors: False
-flagcfp: False
-flagticketsonsale: False
+flagcfp: True
+flagticketsonsale: True
 flagsoldout: False
 flagspeakersannounced: False
 flagrunofshow: False
@@ -195,8 +196,9 @@ flagcancelled: False
 
 # Truthy things that don't change
 flaghashike: False
-flaghasfood: False
 flaghasboat: False
 flaghaswritingday: False
 flaghasjobfair: False
-flaghasbadgeflair: False
+flaghasbadgeflair: False
+flaghaslightningtalks: True
+flagisvirtual: True

docs/conf/australia/2025/cfp.rst

@@ -115,11 +115,10 @@ If you are making those assumptions about what your audience knows, it helps eve
 It can be  helpful to check out topics that might be related to your talk from previous years as well:
 
 * `Australia {{year-1}} <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/australia/{{year-1}}/speakers/>`_
-* `Australia {{year-3}} <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/australia/{{year-3}}/speakers/>`_
+* `Australia {{year-2}} <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/australia/{{year-2}}/speakers/>`_
 * `Portland {{year-1}} <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/portland/{{year-1}}/speakers/>`_
-* `Prague {{year-1}} <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/prague/{{year-1}}/speakers/>`_
 * `Portland {{year-2}} <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/portland/{{year-2}}/speakers/>`_
-* `Prague {{year-2}} <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/prague/{{year-2}}/speakers/>`_
+* `Atlantic {{year-1}} <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/atlantic/{{year-1}}/speakers/>`_
 
 Not sure about speaking?
 ------------------------
@@ -144,20 +143,20 @@ We actively balance for diversity in as many ways as we can, which means that we
 Presentation format
 -------------------
 
-Presentations will be scheduled in 30-minute blocks, delivered **in-person, on-stage, live**.
+Presentations will be scheduled in 30-minute blocks. As the conference is virtual, all talks will be pre-recorded. We will offer resources and support for making your talk recording. After your talk, there will be a live Q&A session. You can opt out of the Q&A if you do not feel comfortable, but please let us know well in advance.
 
 Speaker benefits & logistics
 ----------------------------
 
-If you are selected to speak at Write the Docs, we will waive your attendance fee.
+If you are selected to speak at Write the Docs, we will waive your attendance fee. As the conference is virtual, there are no travel costs.
 If speaking incurs any costs that are difficult for you to cover, please `let us know <mailto:{{email}}>`_ and we'll do our best to help out.
 
 If you already have a ticket, we will of course refund it - just drop us an email at `{{email}} <mailto:{{email}}>`_.
 
 {% if flagcfp %}
 **You’ll hear from us with our proposal decisions by the end of {{cfp.notification}}.**
 
-**You'll be delivering your talk live, in-person in Melbourne, Australia**.
+All talks will be shown prerecorded, and we'll be asking for a **completed video from you by {{cfp.video_by}}**. We have a host of options to support you in making this happen, including the possibility of a live recording call with our videographer. During the conference we'll ask you to participate in a moderated Q&A video session after your talk recording is shown.
 
 {% endif %}
 

docs/conf/australia/2025/convince-your-manager.rst

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ Remember to change the things in `[brackets]`!
 
   Costs:
 
-  * Conference ticket (includes food) - {{tickets.corporate.price}}
+  * Conference ticket - {{tickets.corporate.price}}
 
   Benefits:
 

docs/conf/australia/2025/news/announcing-cfp-tickets.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+:template: {{year}}/generic.html
+
+.. post:: June 21, 2025
+   :tags: {{shortcode}}-{{year}}, cfp
+
+Announcing Call for Proposals, Ticket Sales and the Grant program
+=================================================================
+
+G'day folks, today we are announcing our `Call for Proposals <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/australia/{{year}}/cfp/>`_ and `ticket sales <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/australia/{{year}}/tickets/>`_.
+We'll have more updates about the conference soon, but we wanted to announce our CFP so you have time to prepare your talk ideas. 
+
+Speaking at Write the Docs is a fantastic way to share your ideas with our inspiring community of documentarians.
+If there is something you’d really like to see a talk on this year, submit a proposal on it, or refer someone else who would be good!
+
+Call for Proposals
+------------------
+
+Every year, Write the Docs invites people from all across our community to come up on stage to share their insights and experience.
+We're looking for ideas and use-cases from all disciplines and roles, so whether you're a technical writer, developer, UX designer, community manager, or support professional who cares about content and communication, we want to hear from you!
+
+**The conference is virtual this year, and all talks will be pre-recorded, allowing you to present and attend from anywhere!** 
+Our video producer will be available to help with recording if you want it. 
+We'd also love it if you'll be available for a remote live Q&A with our moderators after your talk.
+
+The schedule will run from noon to late evening in most eastern states of Australia,
+coinciding from early morning to afternoon across most of Asia timezones.
+Of course, this being a virtual conference, attendees and speakers are welcome from anywhere in the world.
+
+You can read our full `Call for Proposals <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/{{shortcode}}/{{year}}/cfp/>`__ on the website.
+
+The Call for Proposals will be open until **11:59 PM {{cfp.ends}} {{ tz }}**.
+
+Tickets
+-------
+
+Tickets are now on sale! Take a look at the prices for the online conference on our `Tickets <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/australia/{{year}}/tickets/>`_ page.
+
+As always, we keep ticket prices low so that the event is accessible to the widest range of people possible.
+However, if you can't afford the tickets and still wish to attend, you can apply for an opportunity grant ticket.
+
+Opportunity Grants
+------------------
+
+Our grant program offers tickets to people who would otherwise not be able to attend.
+We're excited to be able to offer free tickets to a larger number of people this year,
+since there are now minimal other costs to attend the event.
+
+You can apply until **{{ grants.ends }} {{ tz }}, midnight AEDT** on `our website <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/{{ shortcode }}/{{ year }}/opportunity-grants/>`_.
+
+
+Stay updated
+------------
+
+Want to find out what's happening with the conference, or enjoy our monthly global community newsletter?
+Sign up to one or more of our `mailing lists <http://eepurl.com/cdWqc5>`_. Your information will never be shared with any third-parties, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
+
+Want to connect with other documentarians in real-time? Join our `Slack <https://www.writethedocs.org/slack/>`_.
+
+Thanks
+------
+
+We hope you will join us online for yet another Write the Docs conference.
+Whether as a speaker or attendee, you can bet it will be another delightful year.

docs/conf/australia/2025/social-events.md

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+---
+template: {{year}}/generic.html
+og:image: _static/conf/images/headers/{{shortcode}}-{{year}}-opengraph.jpg
+---
+
+# Social Events
+
+Write the Docs is a community conference,
+which means a big part of the experience is meeting and getting to know other documentarians.
+Along with the talks and Unconference sessions,
+we have a few social events planned to help you connect with other attendees.
+
+Details to be announced.
+

docs/conf/australia/2025/tickets.rst

@@ -10,8 +10,6 @@ Ticket Information
 
 **Tickets are on sale now!**
 
-We're excited to invite you to our {{ year }} conference in {{ city }}.
-
 {% elif flagsoldout %}
 
 Ticket status
@@ -28,13 +26,13 @@ Ticket status
 Ticket details
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
-Write the Docs {{ name }} {{ year }} is an in-person conference. Each ticket includes:
+Write the Docs {{ name }} {{ year }} is a virtual onference. Each ticket includes:
+
+* Live streaming of all talks
+* Q&A with speakers after each talk (may not be available for all speakers)
+* Access to the conference chat with all other attendees, speakers and sponsors
 
-* Entry to all conference events and activities
-* Food and drinks on event days (Thursday-Friday)
-* Social Event with light nibbles and drinks
-* Wifi throughout the event
-* Meeting lots of fantastic people in a spacious, inviting venue
+**All talk videos will be published on our YouTube channel no later than 1 week after the conference.**
 
 Refund Policy
 -------------
@@ -89,8 +87,7 @@ Purchase this ticket if a company is paying for your attendance. Companies inter
 **Opportunity Grants**
 -----------------------
 
-If you need support in paying for your ticket, travel or other costs,
-you can apply to our Opportunity Grant program.
+If you need support in paying for your ticket, you can apply to our Opportunity Grant program.
 
 {% if grants and grants.ends and grants.url %}
 You can apply until **{{ grants.ends }}, Midnight {{ tz }}** on `our website <https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/{{ shortcode }}/{{ year }}/opportunity-grants/>`_.

docs/conf/australia/2025/venue.rst

@@ -1,26 +1,8 @@
 :template: {{year}}/generic.html
 
-Our venue: Melbourne City Conference Centre
-============================================
+About the Venue
+===============
 
-Our Australian conference will be held at `Melbourne City Conference Centre`_.
-The fascination with MCCC lies in its unique range of venues, dating as far back as 140 years. Their venues include a Heritage-listed Chapel, modern 700-seater Auditorium and a cosy Chapel Hall & Price Hall.
-
-.. image:: /_static/conf/images/pics/mccc.jpg
-
-Melbourne City Conference Centre is a leading multi-venue meeting and conference centre in the heart of Melbourne's Central Business District (CBD). 
-We will have access to the following spaces during the conference:
-
-* The Auditorium where we will be hosting our conference talks.
-* The Price Hall which will host the unconference sessions, and where our snacks and drinks catering will happen.
-
-The venue is centrally located and well serviced by Melbourne's public transport system, including buses, trams, and a train station right next to the venue.
-
-.. _Melbourne City Conference Centre: https://melbourneccc.com.au/
-
-Location
---------
-
-190 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
-
-.. image:: /_static/conf/images/pics/mccc-location.png
+Our venue this year will be online!
+We're currently working to figure out the exact platform we'll be using.
+This page will be updated once we figure it out.

docs/conf/australia/2025/virtual.md

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+---
+template: {{year}}/generic.html
+---
+
+## Platform
+
+We'll be hosting the virtual conference on [Venueless](https://venueless.org),
+a platform that combines video streaming with chat and networking features.
+
+## What's Included
+
+Virtual attendance includes:
+
+* Live streamed talks from the main stage
+* Ability to participate in Q&A with speakers
+* Real-time chat with other virtual attendees
+* Virtual networking spaces
+* Conference talk videos available 2-3 weeks after the event
+
+## Getting Started
+
+A few days before the conference, you'll receive an email with:
+
+* Your unique login link for Venueless
+* A quick start guide for the platform
+* Information about testing your setup