-------------------- Five billion years from now the Sun will go nova and obliterate the Earth. Don't sweat the small stuff!
From: Boston | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Metropolis, Illinois occured to some of us, too... but it's a little off the beaten path. Not neccessarily a reason to rul it out, but...
factors to consider and debate:
1. Transportation: air + alternatives. It should be a reasonably direct place for potential international attendees, as well as cross-continental ones. As some may prefer a road or rail trip, we should consider these as additional factors.
2. Economics: It shouldn't be the most expensive place we can find. For instance, while NYC has its pluses if we want creators, it would also be a pricey one. Washington, DC, for another example, I hear hotel prices drop quite low when Congress ain't in session. Also, air travel costs a bit more in the summer.
3. Climate: Obviously, we don't want to gather in a snowy place in winter, nor in the Sun Belt in summer.
4. Centrality. We need a willingness to travel, and should first look at the central US, in fairness to those on both coasts. If we collectively see that a coastal location is preferable, we need to be flexible enough to accept this, even if it's not the coast of our proximity.
5. Time of year. Factors 2 and 3 overlap here, as well as life factors. Who's in school? college? kids on summer vacation? timeshares? who's flexible? who's not? despite added expense, summer may be the best, but let's talk about it.
For an initial batch of suggestions to get ideas flowing, I'll toss out:
A. Chicago: an air (including international), road and rail hub, and fairly centrally located. I admit I have no idea as to local cost-levels. Spring or Fall would probably be best.
B. Las Vegas: less of a hub, but still a busy air center... less central, but usually a cheap and convenient place to fly to. As I understand it, for those who can keep away from the casinoes (Cobie!), it's a fairly cheap place to gather. Anytime but summer would work, I imagine.
C. Memphis. Central, an air and road hub. I'll let those who know it better argue its virtues.
D. Denver. more central than Vegas, but not really a major hub, is it?
E. Orlando. not central at all, but cheap to fly to. Winter and spring would be best?
F. Washington, DC. not central, but certainly enough of a hub. Fall is perfect, but almost any time of year works.
G. ?
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
Kent, awesome listing of things to consider.
Personally, I think location won't be a problem for me at all. Spring and Fall would be best also, although 2008 is too far for specifics. However, if we could get a date set (not any time soon of course), I'll be sure my schedule is clear.
I'll weigh in on people's suggestions on locations and offer comments after.
Feel the excitement!
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
It's a good idea, Kent, and it's provoked many great ideas already ... but does it have to have the current thread title?
I know it's a niggling point, but I don't like to be reminded of the draft every time I want to read this thread.
As I've noted on other occasions, I loathe conscription to the core of my being, and I don't like having to deal with it here, even in jest. And especially with its imminent return, to provide bodies to be wasted in the sands of the Middle East, when -- not if -- "we" extend the current war to Syria, or Iran, or probably both.
Please consider some other word or words for the thread title.
From: Starhaven Consulate, City of Angels | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I'll be honest: I'm more likely going to be able to attend if it's held somewhere east of Tennessee. Mostly because of finances and the amount of time I would be able to take off from work. Plus I'm not a huge fan of flying, so I'd probably drive, so maybe I can join up with the CT/NY travelers and car pool
As far as locations go, Washington DC has always been a "dream vacation" for me, and I wouldn't mind Tennessee either.
-------------------- Some people are like slinkys: not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when you knock them down a flight of stairs
From: Penthouse atop Levitz Hall, LMBP Plaza, Embassy Row, Legion World | Registered: Jul 2003
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Las Vegas would be about the practical limit for me, as far as going east. These days I want to avoid any flying (well, that's not under my own power {g}) as much as possible, and that's about the limit of where I can drive easily from L.A.
I plan on an expedition to Chicago and the Midwest in the next two to three years, but that's going to take considerable preparation itself. (Probably including Iowa, for my 30th high-school reunion.)
I strongly suspect that this will end up being focused on some large convention, such as a Wizard World or SDCC, if only to simplify logistics and to allow explaining the expense to Significant Others.
"You're crossing the continent to talk comics? Someplace where you can't even bring back some 'Strangers in Paradise' back issues for my own collection?" ... Wouldn't work, methinks.
From: Starhaven Consulate, City of Angels | Registered: Jul 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Greybird: ... I strongly suspect that this will end up being focused on some large convention, such as a Wizard World or SDCC, if only to simplify logistics and to allow explaining the expense to Significant Others.
"You're crossing the continent to talk comics? Someplace where you can't even bring back some 'Strangers in Paradise' back issues for my own collection?" ... Wouldn't work, methinks.
There really wouldn't be any explaining this to my Mrs. at all. Ironically, when my friends and I wanted to go somewhere but not tell our parents we used the mythical friend "Steve." Maybe I could try that on the Mrs. and it wouldn't even be a fib this time.
From: Douglasville, GA | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I'm game for just about anywhere, but let me extoll the virtue of a place like Orlando.
No need to ask your significant other for permission to be away. Make it a family vacation that THEY can enjoy as well. While we enjoy the camraderie of legiondom, they can enjoy the Kingdom (Magic Kingdom) plus Universal, Sea World, the gorgeous beaches and Cape Canaveral (perhaps even a shuttle launch.)
Transportation is relatively cheap & convenient, even for international travellers and hotels abound so there is an enourmous variety in price range from which to choose.
Also, there is a Con in Orlando, I believe its in early March, which is a beautiful time of year here, and a great time for those up north to get away from the miserable cold weather.
I do realize it's a long trek for those out west and I'm aware that some of our more illustrious members don't fly, so it would be more of an impostion, but I think it is worth seriously discussing.
-------------------- "Hey Jim! Get Mon out of the Zone!! And...when do we get Condo back?"
From: Paragon City on patrol | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Not to mention that you can get some bitchin' cheap flights to Orlando.
It's really a good idea, especially since we can all go hang out at Islands of Adventure.
Once again, Cedar Point would be tons of fun. Sandusky, Ohio would be extremely easy for everyone on the east coast, and fairly accessible for the Southerners. Not to mention that we could all stay at Breakers (the Cedar Point resort hotel) for a teeny tiny bit of money.
Maybe it's because I have lived in Memphis for 15 of my 32 years, but I just don't see the thrill. Sorry. I love Memphis, but it's not a place I want to go to have a mini-convention with Legion World. Same with Metropolis. Uhhh... what's there?
If we do this, let's make it someplace fun with lots of different activities for people of different thrill and alcohol levels.
-------------------- White. A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So... many... possibilities.
From: Birmingham, AL | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
For Caroline and I it has to be within driving distance. No flying for us. We could probably go as far as Dallas but not much farther than that and still be able to get back in less than two weeks.
From: Utah | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Well, we could always go to PA and vacation with the Amish
-------------------- Some people are like slinkys: not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when you knock them down a flight of stairs
From: Penthouse atop Levitz Hall, LMBP Plaza, Embassy Row, Legion World | Registered: Jul 2003
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