RacketCon 2010

[racketboy]

Just keep in mind, if we have multiples, I will have to be selective about what ones I actually attend.

[Luke]

I'm holding back a "that's what she said" joke.

Having one meeting/con and planning it for at least a year from now is more than a simple task. We need to have some type of benchmark before planning multiple "get-togethers".

I don't mind sharing a high percentage of responsibility for this either, but if we are goingto move forward to this, we need more structure. I'm not a mod, so there is not much I can do at this point but make suggestions. We need to know when and where first. Then move onto who will be attending. Then onto the specifics.

I say that if we don't have a list of people who are committed to coming by January 5th, to just scrap the idea.

[dsheinem]

I'm holding back a "that's what she said" joke.

Having one meeting/con and planning it for at least a year from now is more than a simple task. We need to have some type of benchmark before planning multiple "get-togethers".

I don't mind sharing a high percentage of responsibility for this either, but if we are goingto move forward to this, we need more structure. I'm not a mod, so there is not much I can do at this point but make suggestions. We need to know when and where first. Then move onto who will be attending. Then onto the specifics.

I say that if we don't have a list of people who are committed to coming by January 5th, to just scrap the idea.

Are you still suggesting a single con/meet makes sense over various meet-up events?

[Luke]

Yes.

Before planning several events, it is wise to at least try one first to see how it goes. People have been very receptive to a meeting in NC, I think that is where we should start.

[dsheinem]

Yes.

Before planning several events, it is wise to at least try one first to see how it goes. People have been very receptive to a meeting in NC, I think that is where we should start.

Well, since fastbilly1 has some experience in this area I am inclined to defer to him. To do all the work and spend all the money required to make a multiple-day convention possible, it would be almost imperative to have a good amount of commitment and interest built up in advance. The forum has 2700 members, of which I'd guess about 10-15% are regularly active on the forums. Would a convention of 500 people be realistic? 100? 1000? I don't know what kind of numbers you would need to set up a convention that breaks even or raises a little bit of money, but I'd be hesitant to commit to working on/traveling to anything that might turn out to be a bust....

Likewise, when I think of a "meet-up" in one city, even with some activities and convention-like elements, the name alone makes me think of a half-day or a one day event. Something like that wouldn't have the appeal that a full-blown multiple-day convention might, so getting people to travel for more than something like a 5 hour drive seems unlikely.

I still think the idea is great, Luke, but I think fastbilly is right about jumping the gun. I think, to get some momentum started, a set of one-day meet-ups at various locations around the country makes the most sense for now.

[Luke]

No way would I not take advantage of fb1's experience, he just hasn't posted too much about it. Plus, I'm just trying to make this thing work, all suggestions are welcome.

I'm not really expecting more than 100 people attending, if even that. I'm still new here (okay, very new), but it seems like RB has about 40-50+ regular posters in the whatever thread, and 100+ in the B/S/T thread, of whom 5% would attend if we set up some con/meeting.

In short, I'm not trying to rush things along, but I know that when planning an event, a year flies by. Fast. "Greased wheel" is all I'm trying to get across. I'd love to meet a bunch of you guys, and know from experience that if we sit on our laurels, this just won't come to fruition.

[dsheinem]

No way would I not take advantage of fb1's experience, he just hasn't posted too much about it. Plus, I'm just trying to make this thing work, all suggestions are welcome.

I'm not really expecting more than 100 people attending, if even that. I'm still new here (okay, very new), but it seems like RB has about 40-50+ regular posters in the whatever thread, and 100+ in the B/S/T thread, of whom 5% would attend if we set up some con/meeting.

In short, I'm not trying to rush things along, but I know that when planning an event, a year flies by. Fast. "Greased wheel" is all I'm trying to get across. I'd love to meet a bunch of you guys, and know from experience that if we sit on our laurels, this just won't come to fruition.

Well, even if you boost your totals to 200 across those two forums, at 5% that gives you 10 people. If you rope in another 10 or so from the local area, that's still a pretty small group. I don't know that many members would want to travel very far to have pizza and beer and play/talk games with 20 or so other members.

I should also add that I'd personally probably come to whatever is in NC because it isn't THAT far from PA, I do have family in the state, and I'm psyched about the idea. But I'm betting I'm more the exception than the rule.

[Luke]

See, this is good. I wish more guys would join in and brainstorm with us, it's the best way to make progress from different views.

Like I said, I'm flexible. You already know my main concern, so would you suggest a different place or time for the initial meeting? If you had your druthers, how would you plan the first meeting/com/gathering?

[aaron]

why don't you guys just have a meetup in NC and see how it goes? let us know and we can do one in chicago or something. luke, the ball is in your court!

[Luke]

luke, the ball is in your court!

I'm not sure that it is Aaron. But I'd love to at least try to set up a meeting.