The problem with central-all-the-time, is that there are people who will never be able to go. At least, the way it is, there should, in general, be at least 1 year out of 3 when a given person (in the continental US) can expect to be able to attend.
I'll just jump in my time machine, go back to the twelfth century, and ask the vampires to postpone their ancient prophesy for a few days while you take in dinner and a show.
Giles ,'Selfless'
F2F 3: Who's Bringing the Guacamole?
Plan what to do, what to wear (you can never go wrong with a corset), and get ready for the next BuffistaCon: San Francisco, May 19-21, 2006! Everything else, go here! Swag!
DebetEsse - Jun 27, 2005 3:28:17 pm PDT #3234 of 10001
Woe to the fucking wicked.
Steph L. - Jun 27, 2005 3:29:53 pm PDT #3235 of 10001
I look more rad than Lutheranism
At least, the way it is, there should, in general, be at least 1 year out of 3 when a given person (in the continental US) can expect to be able to attend.
Even if that means the F2F is sparsely attended, like this year's?
(That's NOT a challenge; that's just me wondering what people's opinions are.)
SailAweigh - Jun 27, 2005 3:30:22 pm PDT #3236 of 10001
Nana korobi, ya oki. (Fall down seven times, stand up eight.) ~Yuzuru Hanyu/Japanese proverb
Heat, it is in the middle of the desert. Crowds, I dunno, I have no idea what the busy season is. Figure it's the land of dental conventions and B.P.O.E. herd-ruts all year round no matter what, so, crowds anywhichway you go.
JenP - Jun 27, 2005 3:33:04 pm PDT #3237 of 10001
Good point (crowds). And I have no experience with the desert heat. Only sticky, humid, swampy heat. I pretty much hate all heat, even the kind I haven't met yet. Oh, duh, my sister and her family are in Vegas right effing now. I'll have to ask her what her impressions were. Duh.
DebetEsse - Jun 27, 2005 3:36:09 pm PDT #3238 of 10001
Woe to the fucking wicked.
For this year, the emphasis seemed to be less on maximizing attendence, and more on maximizing the attractiveness of the destination. I don't think the system was flawed, but, rather, some of the specifics of the situation led to a difference in incentives.
-t - Jun 27, 2005 3:37:33 pm PDT #3239 of 10001
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
I think the benefit to having the F2F location move around is that tyhe set of people who are able to attend and the set of people who aren't able to attend because of lacation changes. A lot of people didn't come this year because it was in New Orleans. If it had been anywhere else, there's no way I could have gone. it seems fairer to me to give the people on the coasts who can't travel very far, for whatever reason, opportunities for closer F2Fs then to make the average distance for everyone shorter all the time. Outliers are important, I guess is what I'm saying.
DXMachina - Jun 27, 2005 3:51:42 pm PDT #3240 of 10001
You always do this. We get tipsy, and you take advantage of my love of the scientific method.
Another thing about NOLA was that the only really local people were -t and her DH. All the other F2F's had large groups of local folks attend who otherwise have never gone. Both LA and DC had large numbers of people who were able to drive to the F2F, and large populations of localistas. The same would be true for the Bay area, and to a lesser extent, Seattle.
Trudy Booth - Jun 27, 2005 3:57:34 pm PDT #3241 of 10001
Greece's financial crisis threatens to take down all of Western civilization - a civilization they themselves founded. A rather tragic irony - which is something they also invented. - Jon Stewart
Just for a rough idea, May 19-22, hotel and flight, sorted by 'lowest' on Orbitz (now with more city goodness):
Cincinnati - San Francisco 461
Cincinnati - Phoenix 387
Cincinnati - Seattle 388
Cincinnati - Las Vegas 430
Dallas - San Francisco 438
Dallas - Phoenix 413
Dallas - Seattle 373
Dallas - Las Vegas 402
NYC - San Francisco 498
NYC - Phoenix 443
NYC - Seattle 427
NYC - Las Vegas 426
Boston - San Francisco 543
Boston - Phoenix 537
Boston - Seattle 415
Boston - Las Vegas 459
These all tend to be 'outlying' locations, naturally.
brenda m - Jun 27, 2005 3:58:06 pm PDT #3242 of 10001
If you're going through hell/keep on going/don't slow down/keep your fear from showing/you might be gone/'fore the devil even knows you're there
For this year, the emphasis seemed to be less on maximizing attendence, and more on maximizing the attractiveness of the destination.
FWIW, I think this was a mistake. I had a blast in N.O., but I'm sorry so many people had to sit this one out. Kind of demoralizing for the organizers, too.
ETA - as far as the fares go, remember that this far out they'll be higher. I looked at mid July Chicago - Seattle and NYC - Seattle just to see what airlines came up and the range from both locations was about $275 or so to $400 depending on airline. From Trudy's links, it looks like the various locations are pretty similar, with Seattle generally a notch lower.
JenP - Jun 27, 2005 4:16:02 pm PDT #3243 of 10001
I think Debetesse said it earlier, but I think the poll used to decide what ended up being the DC F2F was great. I can't remember specifics, but ... well, maybe I can go find it. The gist was basically, could attend, could probably attend, could not attend for each destination. So, it gave a decent approximation of possible headcount for each, which was a help.