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Jun-19-2007 14:30

This thread is for ideas, suggestions, proposals, etc. NO idea is too silly to mention :) although some might be too impractical to implement.

As possibilities become probabilities, I will create another thread for the Con itself and concrete facts/decisions/information.

Jul-13-2007 12:51

Biggie, please feel free to organize this one. The cost for the meeting room alone was a major portion of the attendance fee. Meals were the other major expense. This is not a seasonally adjusted cost.

NOT including the cost of my room, my cost to attend was over $500. I reserved my flight 6 months in advance to get the best price I could. And I feel it was money very well spent. I met wonderful people in person that I had only been able to interact with online. I had an absolute blast and everyone who attended has said the same. As for the numbers... well... it was the first one. Numbers are always low for the first event. Many prefer to wait to see if it will happen again and if people really did enjoy themselves. And many simply can't afford it. I couldn't, but I managed to budget it in because it was important to me.

And again, for cost in attending SleuthCon II, I have no clue at this time what costs are going to be. We need to settle on a location before I can even begin there.

And once again... for any of you who feel it could have been better organized, put your time and effort where your mouth is and take over.

Jul-13-2007 13:06

I didnt attend Rhiemma, but I think you did an absolutely fabulous job organizing this event for us Sleuthies. I know how time absorbing it can be to organize something like this, whether it is for 10 people or 100. And I am really grateful for all the hard work you put into it. I'm sure whatever you come up with next year will be spectacular. I am already budgeting for it (whatever the cost I hope to cover it) and also I know of at least one person from England who is planning to attend.

Jul-13-2007 13:13

Are there going to be things for spouses to do at the convention? Maybe get them sucked in also, so they quit griping about how much time we spend at Sleuth? :-) I would like to bring Mrs Roamie along.

Jul-13-2007 13:21

hehe to Mrs Roamie :)

I'm sorry, Rhiemma, I know you worked your tail off on this and I didn't mean to belittle it, you did a great job and I also know how tough it is to get everything and everyone on the same page. I do, however, think it would be a good idea for us sleuthers to take turns organizing these events, for a) variety, b) the chance for people to help out in the community, and c) to keep you from being obligated to work your tail off every year for this.

Jul-13-2007 13:28

Whomever ends up organzing it. I probably will know in about 3-6 months or so what the cheapest conference options for hotels are in Chicago, Las Vegas, and maybe LA/San diego. I'll be negotiating hotel rooms there, combined with conference rooms.

I have to do the research for my company.

Personally, I don't know how many people attend, but there are cheaper options then a conference room if less then 15 people come. Like the hotel bar, or additional room.

I have attended many conferences like this, and organized a few. And really it doesn't have to be hard. Technically, in some cities in low season, you get the conf room for free, if you get 5 hotel rooms booked or more in the same room.

Hotel industry is the best place to bargain. So whomever organizes it, make sure that you do.

As for location. Take a city that is an airline hub, cheaper for flights. Conferences usually end up being in Chicago, Las Vegas, DC. Particularly las vegas you can get good deals.

Bargain hard kids.

Jul-13-2007 13:30

Typo........you can get the conf room for free, if you get 5 hotel rooms booked in the SAME HOTEL.

You have to ask for it though, they never just give it.

Hotels are meant to be negotiated. I was a tour lead for a while, and it was my favorite pass time.

Jul-13-2007 13:40

I am bowing out. Someone else can take over. I nominate Biggie. :)

Jul-13-2007 14:06

WOW,

Ok, calm down.

East Coast is out for this year, has to be West coast or Central US.
No one has suggested an actual month other than the summer.

Las Vegas was shot down last time as not a place for people to bring a family and children, or too expensive to do so. Especially on a weekend.

The idea of cheaper/free confernce rooms is right on target IF there is a firm number committed to going. Most places need that money up front. Someone has to finance that. Remember this is a player driven event, Hypothetical Software does not pay any of the costs, it is done by those attending.

Feel free to PM me if you want to participate in the heavy lifting of organizing, paying and running this event in 08. We want everyone to give suggestions here on where and when so that everyone's voice gets a chance to be heard. At this point cost is mostly not relevant until we know more details.

We have looked around at various larger conventions to attach to and the only one that seems worthwhile at this point is the Gen Con idea. Although I did very much like the one in Anchorage Alaska I was sent, I think that might be a bit harder to justify to everyone :)


Just like any project done by a committee the beginning is very messy. Then one or two take charge and pull all the details together. I would like to have some basic plans in place by the end of September of 07 so that everyone knows and can plan ahead for the event.

Jul-13-2007 14:43

Alright... due to phone calls, IM's, pms, etc... I will continue with this. Please remember, I did NOT do SC I alone. I DID have help. Some of it behind the scenes and some of it direct. Whatsyourname was invaluable as my local liaison and assistant organizer. Others who preferred to be anonymous were also invaluable in their help. And, where ever SC II takes place, I will again try to avail myself of whoever might be local there.

I do this because I love this game and the people I've met here. It's up to me to determine how much effort is too much.

I am still heavily leaning toward tying SC II in with GenCon, simply because the cost will be significantly less, AND because it will best further the game itself. I am very grateful to Ben and Sunny for continuing to fuel my addiction, even tho I've not been able to be on here as much as I was. I would love to see Sleuth grow and expand and I would love to give it a venue in which to do so. GenCon could be that venue. Add in the fact that I would get to meet more of you and again see those of you whom I've now met face to face... it's logarythmic :D

A decision will be made by September 07 as to where SleuthCon II will be held. As I have said before, IF the West Coast is chosen, it WILL be held in Portland, OR. I am still investigating locations in the Mid-West.

Jul-13-2007 14:56

Hello there all, Rhie, I know of at LEAST 4 people that are willing to come together and organize the whole Sleuth Con 08.