The [Ubuntu Developer Summit](https://uds.ubuntu.com/) (UDS) is the most important event in the Ubuntu calendar. It is where we get together to discuss, design, and plan the next version of Ubuntu; in this case the very important Ubuntu 12.04 Long Term Support (LTS) release.

The next UDS takes place at **The Caribe Royal, Orlando, Florida, USA** from the **31st Oct – 4th Nov 2011**. You can find out more about why UDS is interesting from the perspective of a [member of the community](https://uds.ubuntu.com/participate/community), an [upstream contributor](https://uds.ubuntu.com/participate/upstreams), and a [vendor](https://uds.ubuntu.com/participate/vendors). We also welcome everyone to [participate remotely](https://uds.ubuntu.com/participate/remote) if you can’t attend the event in person. More more details on how to get there, see [this page](https://uds.ubuntu.com/travel/).

At the heart of a great UDS is a diverse group of attendees who can bring their experience and expertise to the discussions. You don’t have to be technical, or be a programmer or packager to attend – UDS is open to everyone (including non-Ubuntu folks) and free to attend. We encourage everyone with an interest in Ubuntu to attend.

## Sponsorship

For every UDS Canonical sponsors the hotel and accommodation of a set of community members to ensure they are free to contribute and bring value to the discussions. We have a limited budget so we can’t sponsor everyone, but we are always keen to have a capable and diverse group to sponsor:

* We strive to support community members who are actively involved in Ubuntu and who are providing *significant and sustained* contributions to the Ubuntu project.
* We always welcome Upstream contributors who are bring value to Ubuntu indirectly via active participation in their upstream project, but who are keen to see quality support for that upstream in Ubuntu.
* Contributors are willing to actively participate not only throughout the full Ubuntu Developer Summit week, but also following with active contributions throughout the release cycle.
* We are always keen to welcome members of the community who have never been to UDS before and are keen to participate and experience the event.
* You don’t have to provide technical contributions to apply – if you have participated in the areas of advocacy, documentation, testing, art, design etc, you are encouraged to apply.
* UDS is an event that encourages diversity – we welcome everyone to apply for sponsorship, irrespective of gender, race, impairment, technical expertise, or other factors.

If you are participating in the Ubuntu community, we would love you to apply for sponsorship. This is how it works:

1. You can apply for sponsorship [by following these instructions](https://uds.ubuntu.com/participate/sponsorship/). Apologies for the different forms you need to fill in – we are going to consolidate these forms at the next UDS. The deadline for submissions is **Wed 24th August 2011** so be sure to get yours in!
2. When the deadline is reached we will assess the applications and finalize who we will be able to sponsor.
3. You will then receive an email outlining whether we can sponsor you or not.

Simple! I look forward to seeing your applications, and seeing many of you in Florida!