unforum

[bagsbee]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but what about Atlanta, GA? It is a major airline hub = lots of flights there = generally cheaper fares, plus it's in the Southeast, which is an area that has not been frequented by an ARGFest since Orlando. It's a large-ish city with lots of stuff to do. Plus the weather is not as bad as you would think considering it's in the South.

The main (potential) drawback is lack of locals to help organize, which is crucial. Any Atlantans out there willing to form an organizing committee?

[negativeview]

The heat and humidity can be a bit much for northerners. But at least it's safe. In general you feel hot if you're in danger here. People who aren't aware can die from dry heat without feeling like anything is wrong.

I'm not helping the case for the south, am I?

[addlepated]

We can prattle on about cities all we like, but in the end it's going to come down to what happens when the organizing committee posts the proposal guidelines and who makes the best proposal.

[imbri]

Um. No. There's no one from Atlanta around to organize. At least not anyone that I can think of. Nope. No one.

Plus it's hot. Really hot. Like crazy super hot. And it's humid. It's just that it's been unusually cold here there lately. I even heard that they broke some records for the low temperature.

And Hartsfield Jackson sucks. Who would want to fly into there. And sure there's MARTA which they say is SMARTA but it's not. Or, um, so I've heard.

And since the Olympics up and left town 13 years ago, there is nothing to do in Atlanta. Oh, they talk about the worlds largest aquarium being cool and all but who wants to see a bunch of fish? What else is there? Civil War tours? Can you say boring?

[October]

Atlanta is home to both Dragon*Con AND Jordan*Con, as well. AND they serve SWEET TEA in Atlanta. LOTS OF IT.

[vpisteve]

Hey look! My phone is charged to 75%!

[Lovek]

[konamouse]

[thebruce]

Proposals will be the deciding factor, but public interest is also important. If someone wants to host one, but no one wants to go there, they either (assuming a quality proposal)
A) do it anyway and hope people come and enjoy it
B) be chosen by tptb because they feel the proposal quality outweighs lack of interest
C) get turned down by tptb because of lack of interest
D) decide not to do it because of lack of interest

Our obvious advice would be A (and a hopeful B): do it anyway - prove that it's a great place to host an argfest. But, interest is definitely a major factor yet in weighing the feasibility of a location.

I would absolutely love to help run organize a Toronto argfest, but if there's a lack of interest, or too many complaints (especially from TPTB before proposals are made), then my hope for one starts to wane beforehand. Maybe that's just my problem, but for those who want to run one - the general interest shown from the community, and from TPTB, is a huge factor.

I will of course attend an argfest wherever it is, but this "US-only" kind of sentimentality is a little bothersome... I'd fly to UK for an ARGfest in a second. I've flown to a number of US argfest already. I got my passport in time for this year. Seriously, wherever the location is, if there is enough time for people to attend, then unless $ is VERY short to come by, it shouldn't be an issue.

And really, if you see any border crossing coming up in the future (within a year, even), a passport should be top priority now. It's not hugely expensive. It's not like buying a new smartphone (*smackself*).

And I know for Toronto there are many people who would love to attend, even friends who aren't really into ARGs and whatnot, and plenty of startups and smaller teams and organizations who I believe would really like to be a part of it. That may of course also be true for a number of other locations. In the end, it all comes to what's in the proposal, and how the location is received by the public for guaging interest.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing the proposal package, and I hope they're all weighed equally - even taking into account community interest (or lack thereof). But deciding before anything's even been prepared... *shakesfist*

IMO, the idea is to give as many people in the industry/community a chance to attend. So I'd favour new locations over re-visiting old ones (Portland was great and all, but let's go somewhere else now; even for Florida - a fest I missed). I'd be up for Texas (heat's not an issue =P), what about Edmonton? Colorado? London?

And, sometimes if people want to go to a location but there's no-one there to organize, if someone there sees the interest, they may step up excitedly. So, I srsly don't think listening to the community about favoured locations is unnecessary or unimportant. At this point, interest is a big factor in determining IF anyone and WHO could help organize at a location.

But I'm still rooting for TO.


How's your phone charge, Steve?

[enaxor]

[ironnikki]

[imbri]

[October]

TheBruce0, if there's a Canadian ARGFest, I will be there (I'll be wherever ARGFest is in 2010). I don't think you need to worry about lack of interest - I've seen several people express support for a Toronto 'Fest.

As for passports, here's the thing: everyone now knows there's a possibility of a non-U.S. ARGFest. It takes a couple of hours of annoyance at your local post office to apply for your first passport. If you have an expired passport, you can renew it online. It only takes 6-8 weeks to get a passport. So start planning ahead - order the passport as soon as you know we're going to Canada, and all will be well.

I have found my passport to be remarkably handy even when not traveling to another country; I once lost my driver's license in the airport, on my way home from Florida, but luckily I had my passport so I had no problems getting on my plane and getting home. Even when you're not traveling, it serves as a good secondary id. Plus, you never know when you're going to have to book emergency travel to another country to pick up an ARG dead drop. Right?

[SpaceBass]

October is right, everyone should have a passport anyway. They come in very handy even when not traveling; I know the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles has much more stringent requirements for identification these days which can basically be circumvented with just a passport (because for some reason they actually trust the federal government).

Back on topic, let me just categorically state that no decisions have yet been made regarding ARGFest 2010. Good lord, people, we haven't even finished up ARGFest 2009 cleanup!

There is a metric asston of work that goes into just picking a location so if you are planning on submitting a proposal after we post the requirements (still scheduled for release in mid-August), expect to spend a good deal of time on the process. All complete proposals will be considered with equal weight regardless of any subjective or personal feelings of individual PTBs. Our most important criterion as Bags stated above is the availability and commitment of local individuals who are willing to work their asses off on a tight schedule for little to no reward, and probably miss half of the actual conference in the process.

It ain't all fun and games for us mean ol' Powers That Be anymore.

[Giskard]