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Dear Free Software Supporter,

**The thirteenth edition of the Free Software Foundation's (FSF) annual
conference is only a few months away. We're well into the preparations
for the event, which will be held online on March 20 and 21,
2021. Registration is open now.**

LibrePlanet is a vibrant multi-day event that attracts a broad
audience of people who are interested in the values of software
freedom. The event brings together software developers, law and policy
experts, activists, students, and computer users to learn skills,
celebrate free software accomplishments, and face upcoming challenges
to software freedom. Newcomers are always welcome, and [LibrePlanet
2021][0] will feature programming for all ages and experience
levels. The theme for LibrePlanet 2021 is "Empowering Users." This
year's event will be keynoted by [Julia Reda][1], and other community
leaders. The full schedule will be released in January. With a record
number of speakers submitting talk proposals for the event, it is
promising to be a fantastic experience.

[0]: [link removed]
[1]: [link removed]

**[Register today!][2]**

[2]: [link removed]

Preparing an online event is a little different than an in-person
event, and we learned a lot from our [experience this past
March][3]. But there were still many questions to answer: how do we
organize an event that approximates the intimacy and contact with the
community that our conference normally permits; what additional value
can we offer to the people and organizations that have supported
LibrePlanet for years; how do we know who actually tunes in to see and
participate in the event; and how do we contact them to ask what they
thought?

[3]: [link removed]

As always, we will offer access to the event livestream gratis to
everyone around the world, so this means that conference talks are
available to literally everyone with access to the Internet -- how
else could we stay faithful to our theme of "empowering users"?

Registration won't be required to watch the talks. But by registering,
you do help us make a better event in 2021 and beyond. To encourage
[registration][4], and appreciate those who can give a little extra
towards the organization of the event, we are adding some benefits on
top of universal access to the livestream.

[4]: [link removed]

Again, **everyone** can view the event live on the
[libreplanet.org][5] page and join the event in the \#LibrePlanet IRC
channel on Freenode, and no registration is necessary to receive that
access. Here is what the different registration tiers do provide:

[5]: [link removed]

* **Participant: Registration is free (as in lunch)**

Your registration helps us greatly in the planning of the event. If
you register, you get access to the virtual conference space, hallway
track, and exhibitor hall. The FSF tech team is still researching the
best platform to use for these, but whether we use Jitsi Meet,
BigBlueButton, or another platform, you will have direct contact with
the speakers, other attendees, and the exhibitors, since you'll be in
the same channels as they are. We also offer a 10% discount to the GNU
Press Shop for anyone who registers, which you can use to purchase any
of the merchandise there, including preordering the [LibrePlanet 2021
T-shirt][6]! This level also gives you access to [attend BOF (Birds of
a Feather) sessions, and/or create your own][7].

[6]: [link removed]
[7]: [link removed]

* **Supporter (and associate members): Your registration fee goes a
long way**

Registration at this level costs $50 during early bird registration,
which will last until Monday, February 15th, 2021, and $80 after this
date. Your financial support will enable the organization of the
event. To thank you for investing in the FSF and LibrePlanet, we will
give you first access to limited-room workshops in the schedule, to be
announced. You can also participate in the LibrePlanet trivia event. You will receive a
digital registration badge, a commemorative pin, *and* a souvenir USB
drive with videos from the event.

FSF associate members and students have traditionally entered the
event gratis, so this year, you will enter the event in this tier, at
no cost. Members also have access to the [member forum][8], where you
can communicate with other members, and learn how to participate in
the annual associate membership meeting.

[8]: [link removed]

* **Stalwart: Your financial support makes us better**

Individuals can pay $200 ($150 early registration), and corporate
attendees get access at $500 ($400 early registration). For supporting
the event at this higher level, you receive all the previously
mentioned perks, as well as our specially designed LibrePlanet
T-shirt. You will be able to use the FSF job board for posting
positions, and you can sign up for an hour of free licensing
consultation during the event. You can also join a digital coffee-time
with FSF staff, in which you can ask the campaigns team or tech team
questions like how to set up your own BigBlueButton or Jitsi Meet
instance, how to start a free software conversation, or other
questions you need answered to make your software usage more free.

* **Sponsoring and exhibitors**

[Sponsors and exhibitors][9] are key to the event's success. We offer
unique opportunities for businesses and other organizations to connect
to and learn from a community that is dedicated to free
software. Early bird pricing for exhibitors starts now, and will be
available until February 15th, 2021. For information on how your
company can have a table in our virtual exhibit hall, or how to
further sponsor the LibrePlanet conference, please email
<[email protected]>.

[9]: [link removed]

### Thank you for supporting the FSF and LibrePlanet

LibrePlanet is organized by the Free Software Foundation. Your
contribution allows us to create a truly valuable event for many
people all over the globe, by making the production of the event
possible.


It's your support that keeps us moving forward. [Register today][15]!
We also encourage you to take this opportunity to join the FSF, and be
one of the 294 more new members we currently need to reach our [fall
fundraiser][16] goal of 500 new associate members before December
31st. Among [many other benefits][17], by [becoming an associate
member][18], you can use your membership perk to register at tier two
for LibrePlanet 2021: "Empowering Users."

[15]: [link removed]
[16]: [link removed]
[17]: [link removed]
[18]: [link removed]

Also, to celebrate this year's event *and* the opening of
registration, we now have the LibrePlanet T-shirt [available for
purchase][19] in the FSF shop! If you pre-order yours before the 1st
of March, 2021 cut off date, you will be able to wear it to the event.

[19]: [link removed]

With our record number of speaker submissions, a successful practice
run with our live broadcast of the FSF35 anniversary event, our
confirmed [first keynote][20] by Julia Reda, and the always powerful
and positive atmosphere the LibrePlanet audience creates, we are very
much looking forward to this year's conference. Make sure you sign up
for the [LibrePlanet announcements list][21] to get the latest
updates. If you need more information, or have any questions about the
tiers, please email <[email protected]>.

[20]: [link removed]
[21]: [link removed]

We look forward to seeing you there!

Zoë Kooyman
Program Manager



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