Global MeFi meet-up June 8, 2003 3:31 PM Subscribe
MeFiCon 2004: After the raging success of previous Mefi Meetups, ain't it time we lifted our vision?
Let's play Global Metafilter Meltdown!
Needs:
Mefi members +
Venue of international interest +
Affordability.
Oh, yeah, and someone to organise it....
Let's play Global Metafilter Meltdown!
Needs:
Mefi members +
Venue of international interest +
Affordability.
Oh, yeah, and someone to organise it....
I'll bring the santiation system built for a small city.
Just kidding, other than suggesting Miguel's house, I don't know how to actually make it work logistically, but I am there. A grand meetup would be awesome.
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly at 4:07 PM on June 8, 2003
Just kidding, other than suggesting Miguel's house, I don't know how to actually make it work logistically, but I am there. A grand meetup would be awesome.
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly at 4:07 PM on June 8, 2003
MeFiVegas - Beginning of November-ish. Gambling, booze, snarking and snerking. You will go. You will be there. There is no excuse.
posted by ecrivain at 4:26 PM on June 8, 2003
posted by ecrivain at 4:26 PM on June 8, 2003
..or! I meant or! dang, now i got all my languages confused!
posted by dabitch at 4:28 PM on June 8, 2003
posted by dabitch at 4:28 PM on June 8, 2003
New Zealand... it sounds so innocent.
Cascading style sheets... they sound so innocent.
posted by holloway at 5:05 PM on June 8, 2003
Cascading style sheets... they sound so innocent.
posted by holloway at 5:05 PM on June 8, 2003
Malmö! Sounds good! I'm in! Why not spend a holiday in Sweden? See the lovely lakes and many interesting furry animals!
[/recycled joke]
posted by soundofsuburbia at 5:11 PM on June 8, 2003
[/recycled joke]
posted by soundofsuburbia at 5:11 PM on June 8, 2003
I think for purposes of air travel and geographical distribution, NYC or London would be best. (How big is the California contingent, anyways?) You can have a seriously good time in either city.
But in New York, the bars are open later.
posted by Vidiot at 5:16 PM on June 8, 2003
But in New York, the bars are open later.
posted by Vidiot at 5:16 PM on June 8, 2003
I may be in Sydney, Australia the last week of June.
Just sayin'.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:18 PM on June 8, 2003
Just sayin'.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:18 PM on June 8, 2003
I think there is an advantage to an attractive non-metropolitan location: overflow accommodation (ie, hotels, B'n'Bs, etc) won't cost an arm and a leg.
Out of season travel - ie, around spring or late summer in the hemisphere of choice - may help (eg., off peak air fares) too.
o, and I suggested 2004 for a reason: I expect it'll take time & debate to get this off the ground.
posted by dash_slot- at 5:35 PM on June 8, 2003
Out of season travel - ie, around spring or late summer in the hemisphere of choice - may help (eg., off peak air fares) too.
o, and I suggested 2004 for a reason: I expect it'll take time & debate to get this off the ground.
posted by dash_slot- at 5:35 PM on June 8, 2003
Why not Matt's house/apartment? It would be highly symbolic. Except he hosts it out of a friend's house, doesn't he? Damn. Well, we can still all pack in there and take over the one remaining portion of his life that he has to himself. See you there!
posted by Hildago at 5:59 PM on June 8, 2003
posted by Hildago at 5:59 PM on June 8, 2003
Well, the server's in NYC, is it not? We should make a pilgrimage.
posted by Vidiot at 6:18 PM on June 8, 2003
posted by Vidiot at 6:18 PM on June 8, 2003
I may be in Sydney, Australia the last week of June.
What a coincidence, I may be there at that time also.
posted by dg at 6:25 PM on June 8, 2003
What a coincidence, I may be there at that time also.
posted by dg at 6:25 PM on June 8, 2003
Will there be cosplay? Panels? LARPS? I can't decide between going as a rabbit wearing a pancake, or a giant papier-mache head of George Bush.
Hey, if it's gonna be a -Con, it's gotta be a con!
posted by Slithy_Tove at 11:24 PM on June 8, 2003
Hey, if it's gonna be a -Con, it's gotta be a con!
posted by Slithy_Tove at 11:24 PM on June 8, 2003
Can't keep the sound of Elvis singing "MEFI LAS VEGAS!" from repeating in my head... (and now I hope neither can you...)
And the person in whose closet the MeFi server resides is about to move to Boston (excuse me, Bahstahn) to become a full-fledged doctorand stalk Dave Winer. So that rules out that pilgrimage (not to mention 17000 people crashing at Jason's). BTW, does this mean the MeFi box will move with him (and how much downtime will we have to endure)? Or, does the box come with the apartment for the next unwitting renter? ("What's behind this locked door?" Landlord: "You don't want to know... And if you hear a voice moaning 'Miguel...', just ignore it.")
And if it's gonna be a -con, I'd like to set up a booth where I'll be selling asshats (dibs on the idea).
posted by wendell at 11:46 PM on June 8, 2003
And the person in whose closet the MeFi server resides is about to move to Boston (excuse me, Bahstahn) to become a full-fledged doctor
And if it's gonna be a -con, I'd like to set up a booth where I'll be selling asshats (dibs on the idea).
posted by wendell at 11:46 PM on June 8, 2003
I have a bunch of airpoints that I was planning on spending to go to Sydney in late June.
Seriously.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 12:31 AM on June 9, 2003
Seriously.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 12:31 AM on June 9, 2003
Cool, dg and joe's_spleen. I'll let you know if my plans get less vague... Mini-MeFi-Ozfest! With bells on!
I'll be selling asshats
More pleasant than the shitmittens concession, probably.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:48 AM on June 9, 2003
I'll be selling asshats
More pleasant than the shitmittens concession, probably.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:48 AM on June 9, 2003
Well, the server's in NYC, is it not?
I think it is/has moved to Boston with Queso.
posted by gen at 1:06 AM on June 9, 2003
I think it is/has moved to Boston with Queso.
posted by gen at 1:06 AM on June 9, 2003
Slithy_Tove: I'll start the strange-Japanese-animal-websites LARP if you promise to have enough pancakes for everyone's head.
That being said, I'd think Vegas would be the best option -- you can get cheap travel deals, there are a million and one hotels and motels, and, dude, Vegas!
posted by Katemonkey at 2:16 AM on June 9, 2003
That being said, I'd think Vegas would be the best option -- you can get cheap travel deals, there are a million and one hotels and motels, and, dude, Vegas!
posted by Katemonkey at 2:16 AM on June 9, 2003
Hello? New Orleans? If you build it in NOLA, I will definitely be there, all the way from Greece. You know. Either there or Athens....(hey, gotta vote for the home teams.)
posted by taz at 3:15 AM on June 9, 2003
posted by taz at 3:15 AM on June 9, 2003
LONDON. I'm not going south of the river though.
The Gunmakers (off Clerkenwell Road) is a cracking battle.
posted by bifter at 3:16 AM on June 9, 2003
The Gunmakers (off Clerkenwell Road) is a cracking battle.
posted by bifter at 3:16 AM on June 9, 2003
LONDON. I'm not going south of the river though.
I resemble that remark. Also, to cut transatlantic costs, we should organise some kind of web tv linkup so that we can belch at each other in real time.
posted by walrus at 5:58 AM on June 9, 2003
I resemble that remark. Also, to cut transatlantic costs, we should organise some kind of web tv linkup so that we can belch at each other in real time.
posted by walrus at 5:58 AM on June 9, 2003
Only joking. I actually live south of the river. I'll go anywhere.
posted by Summer at 6:21 AM on June 9, 2003
posted by Summer at 6:21 AM on June 9, 2003
i'll just mention edinburgh has the highest concentration of pubs in europe and leave it at that.
It'll probably be america though cause matt doesnt like travelling very far away if i remember.
posted by sgt.serenity at 6:37 AM on June 9, 2003
It'll probably be america though cause matt doesnt like travelling very far away if i remember.
posted by sgt.serenity at 6:37 AM on June 9, 2003
hehe. we'll i'm not going south of the river. eeew, vauxhall.. brixton.. (kidding, i used to live there).
Malmö can be arranged as a local Mefi meetup (which I mistakenly thought this thread was about unsober as i was last night..)
posted by dabitch at 6:53 AM on June 9, 2003
Malmö can be arranged as a local Mefi meetup (which I mistakenly thought this thread was about unsober as i was last night..)
posted by dabitch at 6:53 AM on June 9, 2003
Uhh South Africa, Cape Town specifically? With the exchange rates it will be dirt cheap for all you Northeners. Did I mention it's cheap? Especially the booze. Otherwise it'll just be a repeat of the MeFi Meetup that took place here 3 months ago which was basically just me getting drunk in my backward.
posted by PenDevil at 6:54 AM on June 9, 2003
posted by PenDevil at 6:54 AM on June 9, 2003
I actually live south of the river.
That figures.
Actually I was joking too. My room-mate at Uni really wouldn't go south of the river though. Probably something to do with going to Westminster public school. I've always had a soft spot for South London ever since ...
posted by walrus at 6:57 AM on June 9, 2003
That figures.
Actually I was joking too. My room-mate at Uni really wouldn't go south of the river though. Probably something to do with going to Westminster public school. I've always had a soft spot for South London ever since ...
posted by walrus at 6:57 AM on June 9, 2003
Getting drunk in my backyard that is. Although I did end up falling over backward in my chair.
posted by PenDevil at 6:58 AM on June 9, 2003
posted by PenDevil at 6:58 AM on June 9, 2003
You need someone to take charge and organize it first. Thinking about where it will be is pointless if no one is willing to do the real work. And I would lobby you that the most important part is making sure people actually show up. I'd love to fly to Europe for an international MeFi meetup, but it would really suck if only 20 people showed.
Vegas is a good choice because it's cheaper to fly to than most places. And there's plenty to do when only 20 people show up.
London and Sydney are both good because that could turn into a real vacation for most.
Don't skimp on the marketing though. I'll only fly if it's guaranteed a lot of people will be there. If you get a core of the most prolific/interesting posters to attend, more people will show up.
posted by y6y6y6 at 7:34 AM on June 9, 2003
Vegas is a good choice because it's cheaper to fly to than most places. And there's plenty to do when only 20 people show up.
London and Sydney are both good because that could turn into a real vacation for most.
Don't skimp on the marketing though. I'll only fly if it's guaranteed a lot of people will be there. If you get a core of the most prolific/interesting posters to attend, more people will show up.
posted by y6y6y6 at 7:34 AM on June 9, 2003
London sounds good, though flying out somewhere a little further away would be fun too, given a little time ahead to save money.
posted by fvw at 7:44 AM on June 9, 2003
posted by fvw at 7:44 AM on June 9, 2003
Seems like this calls for a Live Aid approach, two hemispheres, two parties, one mission, Phil Collins on the concorde, web / video linkup to unite the two events, nobody has to go broke trying to get there... no?
posted by soyjoy at 9:00 AM on June 9, 2003
posted by soyjoy at 9:00 AM on June 9, 2003
Three words: Siegfried, Roy and Matt.
I'd go to Vegas. If nothing else it would give me a chance to regale you all with the harrowing tale of my celebrity brush with Danny Gans which left me shaken, made me lose my faith in God and made me question my very existence.
And a word of advice: that breakfast buffet is $1.99 for a reason, kemosabe.
posted by Kafkaesque at 9:23 AM on June 9, 2003
I'd go to Vegas. If nothing else it would give me a chance to regale you all with the harrowing tale of my celebrity brush with Danny Gans which left me shaken, made me lose my faith in God and made me question my very existence.
And a word of advice: that breakfast buffet is $1.99 for a reason, kemosabe.
posted by Kafkaesque at 9:23 AM on June 9, 2003
If it's anywhere but NYC, can I open up a "pay karmakaze's airfare and lodging" jar?
posted by Karmakaze at 9:30 AM on June 9, 2003
posted by Karmakaze at 9:30 AM on June 9, 2003
I'm all for the Live Aid approach. As long as it's in August, September, October or November.
I'm stuck in a campervan cruising the roads of West Australia from May to July.
I prefer Edinburgh over London too :-)
But Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen or Paris are fine with me too.
Amsterdam being the coolest place to be of course.
I'll even help organizing.
posted by ginz at 9:46 AM on June 9, 2003
I'm stuck in a campervan cruising the roads of West Australia from May to July.
I prefer Edinburgh over London too :-)
But Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen or Paris are fine with me too.
Amsterdam being the coolest place to be of course.
I'll even help organizing.
posted by ginz at 9:46 AM on June 9, 2003
If it's anywhere but NYC, can I open up a "pay karmakaze's airfare and lodging" jar?
*slaps karmakaze with a .........*
No.
posted by ginz at 9:50 AM on June 9, 2003
*slaps karmakaze with a .........*
No.
posted by ginz at 9:50 AM on June 9, 2003
FWIW, I'd love a foreign holiday and I'd vote for South Africa, Vegas or Amsterdam (if London is ruled out, as it usually is).
It wd. be supercool to have the oldtimers in attendance, at least those who still lurk and/or post, but also the likes of Stav, Migs, and everybody who's noticed the thread here!
Matt's presence is, of course, a prerequisite (",)
Now, what are we going to talk about?
posted by dash_slot- at 9:55 AM on June 9, 2003
It wd. be supercool to have the oldtimers in attendance, at least those who still lurk and/or post, but also the likes of Stav, Migs, and everybody who's noticed the thread here!
Matt's presence is, of course, a prerequisite (",)
Now, what are we going to talk about?
posted by dash_slot- at 9:55 AM on June 9, 2003
wherever it is can we mount our invasion during a cheap off season so its easier on the bawbees ?
posted by sgt.serenity at 9:56 AM on June 9, 2003
posted by sgt.serenity at 9:56 AM on June 9, 2003
I'd vote for either NYC or Vegas, although Vegas is sounding better all the time. We could all stay at Circus Circus! Probably best fits the atmosphere of this place...
posted by me3dia at 10:01 AM on June 9, 2003
posted by me3dia at 10:01 AM on June 9, 2003
I think there is an advantage to an attractive non-metropolitan location: overflow accommodation (ie, hotels, B'n'Bs, etc) won't cost an arm and a leg.
In that case Groningen (NL) would be quite a good choice too. Our pubs close at 6 a.m. :-)
Cheap accommodation too. Free if people don't mind sleeping in a gymnasium. (I work at a school)
Do I sound like a chauvinist? I'll shut up now.
On preview: Perhaps we should agree on the "Band Aid approach first"
posted by ginz at 10:09 AM on June 9, 2003
In that case Groningen (NL) would be quite a good choice too. Our pubs close at 6 a.m. :-)
Cheap accommodation too. Free if people don't mind sleeping in a gymnasium. (I work at a school)
Do I sound like a chauvinist? I'll shut up now.
On preview: Perhaps we should agree on the "Band Aid approach first"
posted by ginz at 10:09 AM on June 9, 2003
Damn, voted too soon. Amsterdam/Groningen would be even better, if nothing else then on the keep-fvw's-costs-down front. I know a couple of great places for this in amsterdam, and Groningen... ehm... Well, groningen is big. That's really everything positive I can say about it. *ducks*
posted by fvw at 11:29 AM on June 9, 2003
posted by fvw at 11:29 AM on June 9, 2003
Vegas/Amsterdam/Sydney?
I might be able to make Amsterdam...
posted by taz at 11:41 AM on June 9, 2003
I might be able to make Amsterdam...
posted by taz at 11:41 AM on June 9, 2003
What I meant by that was a tri-continent meetup, in case it wasn't clear.
posted by taz at 11:43 AM on June 9, 2003
posted by taz at 11:43 AM on June 9, 2003
Europe
up to Dec 2004
or
Sri Lanka/Singapore/Indonesia
Dec 2003/Jan2004
or
Oz/New Z
Feb 2004
or
West Coast-Vegas-East Coast
March 2004
or
Europe
April 2004
Fit in with my travel plans damn you all!
Alternatively I intend to instigate & attend MeFi meetups as I go. My g/f hates me already...
posted by i_cola at 11:50 AM on June 9, 2003
up to Dec 2004
or
Sri Lanka/Singapore/Indonesia
Dec 2003/Jan2004
or
Oz/New Z
Feb 2004
or
West Coast-Vegas-East Coast
March 2004
or
Europe
April 2004
Fit in with my travel plans damn you all!
Alternatively I intend to instigate & attend MeFi meetups as I go. My g/f hates me already...
posted by i_cola at 11:50 AM on June 9, 2003
Stamps on fvw's foot. Hah.
Anyway, Groningen isn't big, it's cute. Like me :-)
posted by ginz at 11:58 AM on June 9, 2003
Anyway, Groningen isn't big, it's cute. Like me :-)
posted by ginz at 11:58 AM on June 9, 2003
A tri-continent meetup sounds like a good idea Taz. America (s), Europe and them Down Under people.
A real time video link up would need some time zone calculating.
posted by ginz at 12:04 PM on June 9, 2003
A real time video link up would need some time zone calculating.
posted by ginz at 12:04 PM on June 9, 2003
I'm getting the impression that a lot of us who are proposing a MeFi convention are very far away from the bulk of MeFi's membership, but want to have the event rather close to where they live.
Notice that MeFiNYC is the only MetaFilter event that happens with any sort of regularity, and that's because of sheer numbers: even though there are 148-149 members near riffola and Mo Nickels (to pick two New Yorkers), a much smaller fraction of that total attend MeFiNYC. It's much harder to pull off an event when you have similar participation rates (maybe 10-15%?) but are drawing on a smaller pool of potential participants. We're kind of spread out: while this means that individual local events are that much harder to put together, it also means that a national/global/general convention of MeFites holds instant appeal.
What we're probably looking at is something akin to (but much, much smaller than) SXSW -- an event that is not centrally located (nothing ever would be) but to which travel is not overly difficult. That probably means an event on the North American continent (on account of where the members are), probably no more than annually (because very few of us are crazy enough for more than that), probably during the shoulder or off season (when it's more likely we can get rooms and meeting space), and probably in a locale that is in itself compelling enough that we wouldn't mind the trip anyway. Piggybacking with another, related event wouldn't be a bad idea, either -- like piggybacking local MeFi meetups with blogging meetups.
posted by mcwetboy at 12:24 PM on June 9, 2003
Notice that MeFiNYC is the only MetaFilter event that happens with any sort of regularity, and that's because of sheer numbers: even though there are 148-149 members near riffola and Mo Nickels (to pick two New Yorkers), a much smaller fraction of that total attend MeFiNYC. It's much harder to pull off an event when you have similar participation rates (maybe 10-15%?) but are drawing on a smaller pool of potential participants. We're kind of spread out: while this means that individual local events are that much harder to put together, it also means that a national/global/general convention of MeFites holds instant appeal.
What we're probably looking at is something akin to (but much, much smaller than) SXSW -- an event that is not centrally located (nothing ever would be) but to which travel is not overly difficult. That probably means an event on the North American continent (on account of where the members are), probably no more than annually (because very few of us are crazy enough for more than that), probably during the shoulder or off season (when it's more likely we can get rooms and meeting space), and probably in a locale that is in itself compelling enough that we wouldn't mind the trip anyway. Piggybacking with another, related event wouldn't be a bad idea, either -- like piggybacking local MeFi meetups with blogging meetups.
posted by mcwetboy at 12:24 PM on June 9, 2003
MeFiVegas in November is a go. Current thinking is that it will be the weekend of November 7-10, 2003. I know that in Canada the 11th is a holiday, dunno about the US.
As has been mentioned, even if only a handful show up....well, I really only need to drag one other person on the roller coasters and I think ecrivain is easily duped when he's drunk enough, I'll just tell him it's a really fast taxi.
As far as a global meet, I too think it'll be several locations happening at the same time, with 17,000 geeks surely a couple of video connections can be put together (1 in NYC, 1 in Vegas, 1 in London, 1 in PenDevil's backyard).
If you're interested in the Vegas meet this fall just let me know. I can be found in #mefi as well, if you want to ask.
posted by Salmonberry at 1:12 PM on June 9, 2003
As has been mentioned, even if only a handful show up....well, I really only need to drag one other person on the roller coasters and I think ecrivain is easily duped when he's drunk enough, I'll just tell him it's a really fast taxi.
As far as a global meet, I too think it'll be several locations happening at the same time, with 17,000 geeks surely a couple of video connections can be put together (1 in NYC, 1 in Vegas, 1 in London, 1 in PenDevil's backyard).
If you're interested in the Vegas meet this fall just let me know. I can be found in #mefi as well, if you want to ask.
posted by Salmonberry at 1:12 PM on June 9, 2003
I'm up for Vegas.
When we did BlogCon there we used the Aladdin which was very helpful, though not cheap, in getting things organized. One of the nice things is that they have high speed ethernet in every room. And an attached shopping mall, and a huge lounge which is empty till 2 pm. We used the latter for a cheap "conference room".
If we got 100 people to chip in $10-$20 we could get a decent conference room there. If you call and tell then you need a conference room and a block of hotel rooms they'll give you a reasonable discount.
posted by y6y6y6 at 1:41 PM on June 9, 2003
When we did BlogCon there we used the Aladdin which was very helpful, though not cheap, in getting things organized. One of the nice things is that they have high speed ethernet in every room. And an attached shopping mall, and a huge lounge which is empty till 2 pm. We used the latter for a cheap "conference room".
If we got 100 people to chip in $10-$20 we could get a decent conference room there. If you call and tell then you need a conference room and a block of hotel rooms they'll give you a reasonable discount.
posted by y6y6y6 at 1:41 PM on June 9, 2003
*gasp*
Sorry, that was too cheap a joke to resist. Not meant at all seriously. I'll make it up with a drink if this thing ever does go ahead.
posted by walrus at 1:42 PM on June 9, 2003
Sorry, that was too cheap a joke to resist. Not meant at all seriously. I'll make it up with a drink if this thing ever does go ahead.
posted by walrus at 1:42 PM on June 9, 2003
also you should all come to MEFI SF HALLOWEEN IN THE CASTRO WITH FISHFUCKER, an annual event that promises to draw quite a crowd. why, there might even be canadians there!
more info as the date approaches.
(also, i am planning on attending MeFiVegas because i know all you folks from nevada -- the state shaped like a butt -- are eager to meet me.)
posted by fishfucker at 1:52 PM on June 9, 2003
more info as the date approaches.
(also, i am planning on attending MeFiVegas because i know all you folks from nevada -- the state shaped like a butt -- are eager to meet me.)
posted by fishfucker at 1:52 PM on June 9, 2003
Hmm. Going to Vegas in September and doubt I'll be going again any time soon. And was just in London, so ditto for that. No, guess I'll have to wait for the next NYC event...
the state shaped like a butt
Simpsons? Beavis & Butthead? Huh?
posted by widdershins at 2:13 PM on June 9, 2003
the state shaped like a butt
Simpsons? Beavis & Butthead? Huh?
posted by widdershins at 2:13 PM on June 9, 2003
Hmm, lots of votes for Vegas, and Amsterdam, too. Mind you, Vegas will have an air of 'been there, done that' after MeFiVegas in November this year (not a putdown - just trying to be realistic)?
Maybe it is possible to do a tri-continent link up. What sort of kit do we need? What tech spec for the Conference rooms/ hotel? How cheap does it have to be (will any yankee Mefites come to Europe?) I'm guessing £500-£1,000 tops for my total budget - whether in Vegas, Am'dam or my home town (which, if I haven't mentioned it yet, is Oxford, UK, a reasonable draw in itself)
Does anyone have the mad skillz to set the .org up on a web site? Sadly, not I, but I do have time to do admin, find hotels, etc.
posted by dash_slot- at 2:13 PM on June 9, 2003
Maybe it is possible to do a tri-continent link up. What sort of kit do we need? What tech spec for the Conference rooms/ hotel? How cheap does it have to be (will any yankee Mefites come to Europe?) I'm guessing £500-£1,000 tops for my total budget - whether in Vegas, Am'dam or my home town (which, if I haven't mentioned it yet, is Oxford, UK, a reasonable draw in itself)
Does anyone have the mad skillz to set the .org up on a web site? Sadly, not I, but I do have time to do admin, find hotels, etc.
posted by dash_slot- at 2:13 PM on June 9, 2003
If it's in NYC, I'll gladly help organize. If it's in someplace like Vegas or London, I'd probably go (and would help if there was anything I could do from far away.)
First I've heard about MeFiVegasNovember2003. Sounds like a plan.
posted by Vidiot at 3:00 PM on June 9, 2003
First I've heard about MeFiVegasNovember2003. Sounds like a plan.
posted by Vidiot at 3:00 PM on June 9, 2003
FYI...If you group book at least 10 rooms in almost any vegas hotel, you get a rate even better than the usual low rates...and you can get a meeting room or hospitality suite thrown in too (if there's nothing going on during that time period and you pick a less flashy/older place, like riviera or frontier)...
I'm in for november!
(Amsterdam would be great too, but unless there's a block of mefites already there, it's harder to arrange...plus they're instituting their stupid smoking law in Jan. i hear)
posted by amberglow at 3:15 PM on June 9, 2003
I'm in for november!
(Amsterdam would be great too, but unless there's a block of mefites already there, it's harder to arrange...plus they're instituting their stupid smoking law in Jan. i hear)
posted by amberglow at 3:15 PM on June 9, 2003
"you get a rate even better than the usual low rates...and you can get a meeting room or hospitality suite thrown in too"
Just FYI, we found this to be 100% not the case after much calling about and negotiating (both the rates and the hospitality suite). So amberglow may have a lead on something we weren't able to find via the normal channels.
However we did find that we could upgrade to a larger hotel room for a major discount when we checked in.
posted by y6y6y6 at 3:53 PM on June 9, 2003
Just FYI, we found this to be 100% not the case after much calling about and negotiating (both the rates and the hospitality suite). So amberglow may have a lead on something we weren't able to find via the normal channels.
However we did find that we could upgrade to a larger hotel room for a major discount when we checked in.
posted by y6y6y6 at 3:53 PM on June 9, 2003
Wait wait wait....hold on....I thought we were going to camp? You guys want to stay in hotels? What the frig kind of luxury trip are you expecting? You're all going to want to eat out, too, aren't you?
posted by Salmonberry at 3:59 PM on June 9, 2003
posted by Salmonberry at 3:59 PM on June 9, 2003
FWIW, I would like for there to be at least *some* event in Europe. I know that the bulk of the Mefi membership lies in the US, and so it does make sense that it should be held there, but wouldn't you guys like to visit the other side of the pond sometime? Amsterdam/London/Oxford/Edinburgh are all wonderful places that are very easy to reach and shouldn't be overly expensive for Americans.
And let's face it, if we hold the Con in Europe, there's that much more chance that Our Grace, Migs, will make an appearance.
As for teleconferencing, I think it is relatively easy to do if you have ADSL or cable. From then on it's just a matter of getting a decent webcam or alternatively one of those neat videophone-TV jobbies.
posted by adrianhon at 4:05 PM on June 9, 2003
And let's face it, if we hold the Con in Europe, there's that much more chance that Our Grace, Migs, will make an appearance.
As for teleconferencing, I think it is relatively easy to do if you have ADSL or cable. From then on it's just a matter of getting a decent webcam or alternatively one of those neat videophone-TV jobbies.
posted by adrianhon at 4:05 PM on June 9, 2003
Speaking as someone from a country with a weak currency, I'm all for saving money on accomodation so it can be spent on recreational drugs. And food.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 4:08 PM on June 9, 2003
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 4:08 PM on June 9, 2003
Pitching the impossible I know, but I can get good rates here.
posted by dg at 4:12 PM on June 9, 2003
posted by dg at 4:12 PM on June 9, 2003
OK, it's decided then, we're inviting ourselves over to Miguel's house? I hear the food is pretty good.
posted by fuzz at 4:36 PM on June 9, 2003
posted by fuzz at 4:36 PM on June 9, 2003
Salmonberry, we should hold it in the mountains, then -- Banff during shoulder season, perhaps? I'm sure that would appeal to our fearless leader, if no one else.
posted by mcwetboy at 5:03 PM on June 9, 2003
posted by mcwetboy at 5:03 PM on June 9, 2003
yeah why not lisbon ? cheap and sunny !
posted by sgt.serenity at 5:07 PM on June 9, 2003
posted by sgt.serenity at 5:07 PM on June 9, 2003
It shall be held on my flying fortress. We shall all be served martinis by my robot, and I shall throw a henchman overboard for your amusement.
posted by Hildago at 5:33 PM on June 9, 2003
posted by Hildago at 5:33 PM on June 9, 2003
I'm going to Hildago's. The rest of you can do what you want.
posted by Salmonberry at 6:01 PM on June 9, 2003
posted by Salmonberry at 6:01 PM on June 9, 2003
You are always welcome in Lisbon - Europe's loveliest city; not expensive; very friendly; sunny; pro-American; in fact pro-any foreigner; wonderful food and drink; peaceful and clean; dreamy and romantic. It's also an education in good living, believe me. Perfect. I'll need a month's notice to organize the accommodation. At a pinch, we have two pseudo-guest rooms (our studies) in our house and one large living room, for those who can't afford hotels.
I think Las Vegas is the best option, though. Specially in November/December when the very best hotels are dirt cheap. That or New Orleans or New York.
Montreal would be cool too!
For a European MeFi meet-up, I agree London is best.
This is all a pipe-dream, though - isn't it? Pity. It's amazing the bargains you can get if you plan ahead.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 7:41 PM on June 9, 2003
I think Las Vegas is the best option, though. Specially in November/December when the very best hotels are dirt cheap. That or New Orleans or New York.
Montreal would be cool too!
For a European MeFi meet-up, I agree London is best.
This is all a pipe-dream, though - isn't it? Pity. It's amazing the bargains you can get if you plan ahead.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 7:41 PM on June 9, 2003
Bags the sofa at Miguel's! Now I've taken up capoeira I need to practice my Portuguese anyway.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 8:11 PM on June 9, 2003
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 8:11 PM on June 9, 2003
Why does this remind me of the Summer Camp sketch from The State when they all vacation in this one guy's apartment?
posted by solistrato at 10:33 PM on June 9, 2003
posted by solistrato at 10:33 PM on June 9, 2003
Anyone want to set up a mailing list to discuss this once it scrolls off Metatalk? I would do it myself but I'm flying to Philadelphia today... alternatively, I suppose people could discuss it on the MeFi wiki but it's a bit unwieldy.
posted by adrianhon at 2:15 AM on June 10, 2003
posted by adrianhon at 2:15 AM on June 10, 2003
"Anyone want to set up a mailing list"
I hate mailing lists. Discussion forum added here.
posted by y6y6y6 at 5:59 AM on June 10, 2003
I hate mailing lists. Discussion forum added here.
posted by y6y6y6 at 5:59 AM on June 10, 2003
I'd do New Orleans, most likely. That's where my vote stands.
posted by Ufez Jones at 7:11 AM on June 10, 2003
posted by Ufez Jones at 7:11 AM on June 10, 2003
I would do it myself but I'm flying to Philadelphia today
Philadelphia? Well, why didn't you say so? That's two of us already - and why wait till November, or 2004? Adrian, I'll be out on Broad Street just north of City Hall around 1:30...
see ya there...
posted by soyjoy at 7:57 AM on June 10, 2003
Philadelphia? Well, why didn't you say so? That's two of us already - and why wait till November, or 2004? Adrian, I'll be out on Broad Street just north of City Hall around 1:30...
see ya there...
posted by soyjoy at 7:57 AM on June 10, 2003
One vote for London here. (Assuming Oxford is a bit parochial.)
posted by salmacis at 9:06 AM on June 10, 2003
posted by salmacis at 9:06 AM on June 10, 2003
If the attractive, non-metropolitan option meets with favour, I'd like to reccommend one of the several excellent little beach towns down the Oregon coast: Easy road access from Portland, plenty of cheap, off-season accomodation, stunning scenery, great beaches ...horribly expensive for Europeans to get to - sorry - but dead easy for most of the US.
posted by normy at 2:52 PM on June 10, 2003
posted by normy at 2:52 PM on June 10, 2003
Ok, for anyone still looking at this thread, go to mefivegas.printmagnate.com for more info.
I'll update it and make it look pretty in a few days.
posted by Salmonberry at 4:26 PM on June 16, 2003
I'll update it and make it look pretty in a few days.
posted by Salmonberry at 4:26 PM on June 16, 2003
See, that's why I couldnt nominate myself for MefiCon 2004 organiser. Embedded mp3's of electro-Elvis, high class graphics, a bulletin board...
*baby dash_slot- cries*
posted by dash_slot- at 8:10 AM on June 21, 2003
*baby dash_slot- cries*
posted by dash_slot- at 8:10 AM on June 21, 2003
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As much as I hate to say it, New York or an equivalent east coast city may turn out to be the best solution for people from the US and Europe. Yes, I know that other countries exist, but you can't please everyone.
posted by adrianhon at 3:55 PM on June 8, 2003