TAM5 rumors

[Quinn]

I remember just after TAM2, there were rumors of having TAM3 in my then-hometown of New Orleans. Granted, it's not as nice now as it was then. But by this time next year they'll probably have enough of the crap cleaned up that you can drive around town without having to dodge piles of debris in the middle of the street, and I'm quite sure they'll be desperate for convention income, which means we could get a good rate. Plus I can give everyone the skinny on where to go after hours.

 

[Jas]

This is a point that I hadn't considered. Once we get to Mar/April it's spring break madness, then after that is peak season. What about Autumn?

Autumn's probably okay.

Peak prices for airlines are May 15 - Sept 15 (if you're flying on frequent flier points, it's a totally different class of ticket with some programs).

The only issue I see with fall is all the long weekends - Thanksgiving, Rememberance Day, etc. Personally, I like Jan/Feb because it's a chance (usually), to get away to better weather.

The other advantage to Jan/Feb is that it's the slowest time of year in hospitality, and one would assume, entertainment as well. So it's easier to get people like Penn to come.

 

[Jas]

I remember just after TAM2, there were rumors of having TAM3 in my then-hometown of New Orleans. Granted, it's not as nice now as it was then. But by this time next year they'll probably have enough of the crap cleaned up that you can drive around town without having to dodge piles of debris in the middle of the street, and I'm quite sure they'll be desperate for convention income, which means we could get a good rate. Plus I can give everyone the skinny on where to go after hours.

New Orleans would be a rocking place. I have no idea what it's like, or what shape it would be in.

I do know that they ordered about 200 Takeuchi's to help with the cleanup.[/useless knowledge]

 

[Doubt]

Kittynh - I suggested this place in the chatroom: http://www.mohonk.com/index_flash.cfm

I know that place really well. I do a race there almost every September called The Survival of the Shawangunks.

http://www.ulster.net/~sosnyta/

That picture is taken from near the finish line. The third swim is in Mohonk Lake (that is the one in the photo) and then up run up the pathway to the base of the tower were the picture was taken.

The town of New Paltz is a short drive away and you are about two hours from New York City. New Paltz is a small rather arty town with a university.

However the Mohonk mountain house is very expensive. If you have to ask how much it costs per night you cannot afford it. Their special rate for the race I do is still over $300.00 per night. Most of us who do the race stay at the Super 8 on the opposite side of New Paltz. I won’t be there this year. Racing in Wisconsin instead.

A great place put way to expensive for TAM.

 

[Eos of the Eons]

Okay, I was just selling hubby on Vegas, and then there's this rumour. Same as last year though, so I won't hold my breath

In Canada, I would stick to the West, Calgary and Vancouver are warmer than other places. They don't come close to Vegas for weather and entertainment though.

Vegas for 2007, for the milestone 5 year. That would be cool.

 

[Hutch]

Jas did an excellent job in summing up the requirements for a meeting like ours.

Only two other places I can think of that even might come close and still be rather pleasant in Jan/Feb are Atlanta and Dallas-Ft. Worth.

Or there is a place where it's Summer--S. America? Rio? Buenos Aires?

 

[Jas]

CHicago would be quite good, if they had better weather.

 

[CrossHair]

What about New York, New York?

New York was mentioned, but not as a candidate location.
New York is probably one of the only places that almost eveyone from the USofA and Europe can get a direct flight to!

 

[supercorgi]

Okay, I was just selling hubby on Vegas, and then there's this rumour. Same as last year though, so I won't hold my breath

In Canada, I would stick to the West, Calgary and Vancouver are warmer than other places. They don't come close to Vegas for weather and entertainment though.

Vegas for 2007, for the milestone 5 year. That would be cool.

Actually, I'd like it in Vegas again. This was my first TAM and first trip to Vegas so I'm not jaded. Actually, I didn't get to see any of Vegas this trip (note, do sightseeing before TAM!). If it was in Vegas next year, I'd take some days off before the conference and drive around and see stuff like the Grand Canyon and some ghost towns.

 

[Beleth]

Okay, so essentially, we need somewhere that:

1. Has lots of flights/easy to get to
2. Has decent weather in January
3. A range of non-conference entertainment options (incl. a range of prices)
4. Conference facilities for ~1000 people min.
5. Is in an affordable price range for middle income earners (which seems to be about where TAM attendees fall)

1 is key, yes.
2 wouldn't be so bad if the date were moved.
3, I dunno, I had a great deal of fun without going outside the Stardust itself. (I did go outside, but I didn't have to.)
4, if it keeps doubling, we'll need 1600!
5, yes, absolutely.

There are a few places like this, but admittedly not many. I too would have loved to have it in New Orleans, but that's not gonna happen any time soon. Other places that come to mind:
- Chicago, as long as it gets moved to spring
- Nashville, although we might have to deal with unfriendly locals
- Austin. Yeah, Austin! I like that thought.
- Indianapolis. Don't laugh, it's actually a much nicer city than you might think. But there's that January thing again.

Personally, my favorite non-Vegas site is Austin.

 

[JLam]

Why is everyone avoiding the mention of southern California? In addition to it being convenient for me (which is, of course, the most important consideration) it's also quite pleasant in January. Los Angeles, or better yet, San Diego. San Diego is paradise. Los Angeles is great. Plus, I live here. And it's great.

 

[Ducky]

Why is everyone avoiding the mention of southern California? In addition to it being convenient for me (which is, of course, the most important consideration) it's also quite pleasant in January. Los Angeles, or better yet, San Diego. San Diego is paradise. Los Angeles is great. Plus, I live here. And it's great.

And how expensive would it be compared to vegas?

 

[Jas]

2 wouldn't be so bad if the date were moved.
3, I dunno, I had a great deal of fun without going outside the Stardust itself. (I did go outside, but I didn't have to.)

But moving the date would change prices, and make it harder for non-academics (ie. people who work in the private sector), to go.

It's also draw for spouses and such to have the non-TAM entertainment.

 

[Eos of the Eons]

Actually, I'd like it in Vegas again. This was my first TAM and first trip to Vegas so I'm not jaded. Actually, I didn't get to see any of Vegas this trip (note, do sightseeing before TAM!). If it was in Vegas next year, I'd take some days off before the conference and drive around and see stuff like the Grand Canyon and some ghost towns.

Exactly! I never got to see anything as far as the Grand Canyon, or the Dam, or even the Star Trek museum. I really would like to spend a few days before or after to do everything on my list, especially with hubby. We never had a honeymoon, and haven't even spent a night away from the kids, and TAM would make it affordable, and best of all-having TAM to go to as well to see the speakers and get to pal around with fellow skeptics again. Oh, and I'm craving that Bellagio buffet again. It was first time I ever tried sushi, and now I'm hooked.

I'm in such a downer mode this year because I didn't get to TAM though. Darn Dark Canadian Winters. It was +2 C today though, and I walked in the sunshine for the first time in a month. I'm so hyped up now. I'll stop babbling...

 

[LostAngeles]

Orlando was cool to me last night. The more I think about it, the more I realize how costly it will be.

I'd rather we stuck with Vegas.

 

[supercorgi]

I'm in such a downer mode this year because I didn't get to TAM though. Darn Dark Canadian Winters. It was +2 C today though, and I walked in the sunshine for the first time in a month. I'm so hyped up now. I'll stop babbling...

Eos, sorry you couldn't come. I look forward to meeting you! Definately do your sightseeing before TAM. The tempation to stay up way too late and socialize with all the great JFEF people during TAM will leave you too exhausted for sightseeing. I hope it's in Vegas next year as I'd like to see more of the American southwest. However if it's in Orlando, maybe I'll do some sightseeing and take a boat ride through the Everglades! Just gotta love nature! (Not that the Red Rock's tour wasn't great but I wanted a botanist on it! I love the natural world!)

OK, not "Vive Las Vegas!" but "Vive TAM!"

 

[Eos of the Eons]

I can't agree more supercorgi. And we'll have to recruit a botanist for another Red Rock tour. I'm a biologist at heart, including botany. I just wish I actually was a biologist.

 

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Orlando: No.
Las Vegas: Yes.

~~ Paul

 

[Eos of the Eons]

Should we start a poll

 

[supercorgi]

I can't agree more supercorgi. And we'll have to recruit a botanist for another Red Rock tour. I'm a biologist at heart, including botany. I just wish I actually was a biologist.

I'm an archaeologist at heart (and almost by profession!) and I wish there were some archaeological sites around Vegas. That would be fun. What's more fun than old, dead things? Hey lets have TAM5 in New Mexico! We could have a tour about climate change, environmental degredation, and Man's adaption to and impact on his natural surroundings. That's right up my alley!