That would also work well.

I think having each location pimp recommend a date (or two) that would work best would be a good way to go. Customized for city, and that way people might be able to vote for their second choice city with attendable dates over first choice city on a weekend that they wouldn't be able to make it.

It seems we have two date ranges to worry about depending upon whether we are in the north or in the south... Does that make sense?

Well, ish. That mostly covers it, but it isn't the whole picture. Boston is going to have X and Y for graduations. East Pipsqueak could have Z for the dental hygenest convention. SF turned out really great, but I wonder how we'd have done without having to compete with Bay to Breakers for space.

Theodosia mentioned SomethingCon that does a place/date bid. I really think that is a solid idea.

Every year people get excited and people really want to go and people who have been saying all along that they could attend have to bail at the last minute for financial reasons.

If from the start "keep the cost down" was the driving force behind the bids we could truly end up with fewer people who have to drop out.

The way we have done it doesn't work great for maximum participation. Every date is going to exclude SOMEBODY -- maybe the date should not be our starting point. Lets try a new way and see if we get a better result.

I think having each location pimp recommend a date (or two) that would work best would be a good way to go.

Yes, exactly. There's weather, but also what Trudy said about being very attentive to cost, which might mean that dates for one city don't work for another.

I think having each location pimp recommend a date (or two) that would work best would be a good way to go. Customized for city, and that way people might be able to vote for their second choice city with attendable dates over first choice city on a weekend that they wouldn't be able to make it.

This, and what Trudy is talking about strike me as good points. Perhaps we are keeping the choice of dates and choice of places needlessly seperate.

Ho-kay.

So here's what we'll do.

CITY PIMPERS:

Can you, within the next TEN DAYS (not yelling at you guys, just emphasizing for the skimmers), get basic room quotes - nothing in stone, just a general idea, for specific dates. Get the room quote for singles, doubles, and quads. I would say a conservative estimate would be 10 rooms per night, Thursday thru Sunday.

Also ask about hosp suite cost and prom space (if we spend enough on food/drinks, is the space rental free, for instance). This is purely hotel stuff, since you guys have done a kickass job showing us what is awesome about your cities.

When the city pimpers post their hotel cost + dates, we'll have a Q & A for a couple of days, and then do a vote like the poll we just did (Thank you Jessica!). IF two dates or two cities are close enough, say within 6 votes, we'll do a Sudden Death Run-Off.

After the date and place is decided, the Pimper of the City will take over (if they still want to) and appoint minions to help as needed/wanted and I'll be gone from being bossy and witch-like. t weak smile

PIMPERS - would a form make this easier for you? Debetesse has one from last year.

not yelling at you guys, just emphasizing for the skimmers

It's hard in here for a pimp.

sorry. it had to be said. i'll hide now.

smooch to Victor

That seems like a good way to do things. you know some cities will be more expensive than another place, but you also know there are many good thing ( and people) there. that way people can say well, I'd pay more for city x because , who wouldn't want to go there, then I would for city z, because i would only go there for buffistas - a fair comparison for prices. nice