With our destination decided, the next question is: When?
There is sooooo much to do in Chicago... from Jazz Fests, to shopping at Navy Pier, to some of the greastest museums in America, to sporting events, to the most modern American architecture, to eating pancreas... there is literally something for everyone.
That being said, how do we want this trip to take form? Is it just a series of overlapping journeys where everyone explores the city at their leisure and we just gather for a big bash one day... or is it centered around a specific event?
The discussion of those questions might help us to best decide the timeframe that we want to target, so... let the discussion begin.
-------------------- See Here for the latest update on the 2013 Chicago Gathering (now including tentative attendance list)
Registered: Feb 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I know some people are eager to avoid the convention scene, but I'll put it out there that if we plan around C2E2 or even the Wizard one(does that still exist?), AND let DC know what we're doing this, they could send us swag, or even a creator or two since they're already in town. PR for them, fun for us.
From: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
My fear is that the Con may make location relatively pointless. A con is a con.
I was one of the ones who put Chicago as my first choice. The con, as i understand, is way off in the outer burbs; if we fall into the event horizon of the con, we'll likely, as a group, never get into Chicago itself.
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada | Registered: Dec 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
The other concern I'd raise about going in Con-season is both the availability and premium rates of hotels. Perhaps better off-peak?
quote:Originally posted by lancesrealm: Is it too early to start planing car-pooling and hotel roommates?
I call bunking with My Whee Fem.
What's that? ... she is? ... really? Huh.
What about Lolita? Her too?
... Vivianne?
... Everyday Girl?
Is anyone here a real person?
-------------------- See Here for the latest update on the 2013 Chicago Gathering (now including tentative attendance list)
Registered: Feb 2008
| IP: Logged |
It might be better to be off-peak season wise for major events. Mainly, to keep costs down for people.
Should we start considering a hotel where we could all stay at? Lance and Scott have connections (both at Marriot, I think), so maybe a Marriot Courtyard or something? Or do others have better ideas?
Pizza: both Uno (the original) and Duex (even better) are classics. Chicago is one of the best food cities in the US, and runs the gambit from super fancy places to good eats for regular folks.
Season: Chicago is a cold ass place from November - March, so keep that in mind.
I'm easy. What I really like to do in a city is walk around, eat and drink (coffee and then alcohol, though I'm down for a good lemonade). If there is a spot people want to check out, I'm in, whether its the Pier or a Museum. A festival could really be the Tits. I think a hotel serving as 'home base' would be ideal.
A big question is: now that Chicago is looking as the destination, is everyone still committed to going? I promise I will take care of all of who are afraid of big cities. I'll be like the strait Stefan from SNL weekend update.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Also, Chicago is definitely a taxi city. So people flying in don't need to rent cars IMO.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: A big question is: now that Chicago is looking as the destination, is everyone still committed to going?
Cobie, thanks for broaching that delicate topic. I was afraid I was going to have to do it myself when I saw which city had won.
I would LOVE to meet you all, and I had always wanted to visit Chicago one day -- I even have roots in Illinois (my maternal grandfather was from a small town there.) But right now, money and distance are big issues for me, and I'm all the way down in South Florida.
I'll do my best to make it, but I can't promise anything right now.
posted
Sweet! I haven't been to Chicago in years. I have friends there that I rarely get to see, so this'll be great. I have family in Wisconsin too, so I can really make a trip of it.
In terms of timing, I'll reiterate that if the gathering is in August or so, I should be able to make it. Any other time of year is going to be tough for me for the next 18 months or so.
From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Nov 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Good news. I looked at a map (something I should have done before I posted before) and discovered that Chicago is, relatively speaking, not really that much farther away than my first choice, Washington D.C.
Money is still an issue, though.
We shall see. I'm still a "maybe," but a more optimistic "maybe."
Hyperpath: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic | Subscribe To Topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
