Kansas City would rule.

I wouldn't mind KC, either. BBQ! And we've got a number of Kansans whom I've never met! Plus, it might actually be within driving range, which would be fun. I haven't done a road trip in a while.

Re: the date. I don't have kids so I'm not sure if school stuff will shut this idea down, but what about March or April dates?

Pros - not as many holidays (or wedding "season") to contend with, less expensive flights, mild weather (generally), possible slow time of year for hotels, close to tax return or bonus time of year, might be early enough for teachers to take a long weekend off work.

Cons - school isn't out yet, hard to know what the weather will be like (snow, rain, etc), close to tax time of year (which is a con if you owe money), and... I'm blanking on additional cons.

What are some other cons for an earlier F2F?

School, both for teachers and students, seems to be the sticky wickett for early dates.

But flying out Friday and returning late Sunday isn't exactly an impossible thing -- many of us have done it lots of times. And while we generally keep the teacher/student demographic in mind it doesn't ever seem to end up being a HUGE proportion of the actual participants.

Aside from the T/S factor, I see a lot of advantages to an earlier date.

But flying out Friday and returning late Sunday isn't exactly an impossible thing

I was fully prepared to do that this year because of lack of vacation time with the new job, if finances hadn't finally dictated it being a huge "no" for me.

edited for sense-making

Minneapolis?

Yes! I remember it was a very close second last time.

1. Major hub for airlines
2. Mall of America
3. Museum of Questionable Medical Devices
4. Very active theater district.
5. Andi and I live 40 minutes south of the MoA.

It just seems like once school gets out that people have all kinds of plans and family trips and weddings and holidays and too many co-workers taking vacations at the same time and, and, and.

I'm not a teacher or a parent but maybe, perhaps, possibly things wouldn't be too crazy mid March or end of March to get away for a weekend with even a Friday or a Monday tacked on.

ETA: Minn and KC have both been very close seconds. I think KC lost to NO.

But flying out Friday and returning late Sunday isn't exactly an impossible thing -- many of us have done it lots of times. And while we generally keep the teacher/student demographic in mind it doesn't ever seem to end up being a HUGE proportion of the actual participants.

I agree with this. People of course should vote on the dates that are best for them, but I don't think we should exclude anything up front.

Trudy, I also liked the idea you mentioned to me about pimpers putting together a package that includes a city and the date that works best for that city, instead of going back and forth about whether we should vote on the date or the city first.

Trudy, I also liked the idea you mentioned to me about pimpers putting together a package that includes a city and the date that works best for that city, instead of going back and forth about whether we should vote on the date or the city first.

We could get some really sweet deals that way. Pimpers could literally call a cool place or tourism office and say "what is your cheapest/best deal weekend" and take it from there.

1. Major hub for airlines

2. Mall of America

3. Museum of Questionable Medical Devices

4. Very active theater district.

5. Andi and I live 40 minutes south of the MoA.

6. Generally not as hot in summer as, say, Nashville.