I don't know why, but I keep feeling like my city is being unfairly maligned for its weather and crime.

NO is one of my favorite places. If I could only ever visit it in the middle of July or August, I'd still do it every time. And I'm no lover of the heat or humidity. Doesn't matter, though. It's fabulous that way.

I also would be happy to visit all of the other cities listed. Really liked Minneapolis the one time I was there. Haven't been to the others.

(I'm a total geography moron, so I have no idea if Colorado is considered "central.")

Me too, Steph. If deemed not central, I'm fine with that too.

And may I point out - in regard to crime - that DC isn't exactly considered safe by most people.

Well, I don't think we need to have Area Rules, do we? Put Denver up as a possibility and see if people like it. It's not like it's Savannah or San Diego, both of which are clearly not central.

As a tourist, don't wander around the Quarter covered in beads and carrying a Pat O'Brien's mug, flash a big wad of bills, or play Three Card Monty with someone you meet on the street and you'll be just fine.

Or take a bet that someone can tell you where you got your shoes at.

Actually, I think I'm just feeling a little protective of the entire south right now. Austin and Nashville don't sound bad to me either- my drive to Nashville though long is really quite beautiful.

I just think people are stating their preferences and impressions of locales. Personally, I don't like Denver very much, but I'll go where the Buffistas are. The decision will come down to the stats, right? Price/fun/whathaveyou?

(I guess what I'm trying to say is we shouldn't shoot anything down yet. Except for the coastal-type locations.)

(Which means I'm repeating myself again. Sorry.)

Denver and San Antonio are both terrific cities. I've only seen the convention centers in Nashville and KC, so I can't speak to the loveliness of those locales with any authority. I've never been to NO or Austin, and I've only flown through MSP.

What about Memphis? You've got Graceland, the Peabody Hotel, Beale Street, Mud Island, and the city is relatively easy to navigate. Regardless of the location, I am more than willing to drive. Hey, if I can drive in Rome and Paris, I can handle most U.S. cities.

Hey Folks.

Java, since you have the RFP, I'd love it if you'd keep that going. We'll discuss here, modify it, and then after we narrow cities on July 15 if you'd send it out to cities so we can get data back that would rock!

So far all the cities and ideas sound great. Don't feel that things are being attacked folks, right now we are really in brainstorming mode. I think last year at one point were looked at Buffalo and all kinds of stuff like that. As we approach July 15 we'll get a bit more into Pros and Cons to narrow the field and then the real nitty gritty will happen after we get it down to our 4 top cities and have to choose by Sept. 1.

I would love to see a Buffista outing to Graceland! I wonder if I can get a white sequinned jumpsuit/kilt.

been to denver, not thrilled by it, but would that keep from going. Only money timeing and amount of vaction will interfer with that.

DH might like to go to Austin for nonwork. It is really the only part of texas he likes.

someday I will go to NOLA