Anybody given any thought to an SDMB convention? I see that small groups have gathered in their respective home states. What about an annual convention with spirits, Cecil and long standing members as guest speakers? Though there is alot to be said for anonymity, jetting off to the state with the highest SDMB population could be big fun. Let’s take the Russian Tea Room by storm!
I was just, uh, nowhere near your neighborhood - Campbell Scott
While it is a good idea (and one that has been bandied about for a few months in MPSIMS), just imagine the logistics and costs of gettings so many people into one place. There are 6000 members, assume that 500 are regular enough posters to care about coming. Not the greatest of odds that all of these people could get to the same city at the same time in an affordable way.
And forget speakers. Do you think any of us would sit idly back and let someone else talk without throwing in our own thoughts or quips. You would have a better chance of achieving organization at a convention of butterflies.
You can keep your Wally sig, because SwimmingRiddles designated me as St. Mullinator: Patron Saint of Republicans That SwimmingRiddles Respects!
The “home” state (not mine) of most SDMB would alleviate expenses for likely attendees. Even if only 100 butterflys showed up the chaos would reach appreciable levels. Start small … think big.
Perhaps we could get publishers for Cecil & Eve to defray location expenses as I’m sure many books would be sold (hint, hint). You business owners could write it off a business marketing expense.
We could have webcam live broadcast (like Victoria’s Secret - with reality-based models). Laptops in tow to communicate with our Aussie & other travel-impaired cohorts.
As a veteran of numerous SF, D&D and Trek conventions, I think that the idea of an SDMB convention is not only is feasible, it’s a darn good idea! The logistics are very straightforward, although time-consuming.
The very first thing you need is a special interest group. They should have some discretionary income (a convention for starving artists would probably fail). Got that!
We would need to know if there is sufficient interest. Reply to this thread if you would go to an SDMB convention!
Since most people will be travelling, you hold the convention in a hotel. That way people can stagger up to their rooms after the activities and festivities. This is no problem, hotels are in the business of hosting conventions. Indeed, hotels will almost always offer a discount for conventioneers.
It’s customary for the convention-goers to pay a registration fee in addition to their room rental. This will finance the organization, and provide a stipend to featured guests.
You need to have a way to market to that group. Trivial for us, we have the message board.
We would have to have at least the permission of the Chicago Reader to use the SDMB trademark for a commercial activity. Better still would be to have them actively sponsor the convention. Ed, can we? Huh? Huh? Please? Pretty please?
You need a location. Some place with a major airport served by different airlines to keep the travel costs down. Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, etc.
You would have to set up activities. Perhaps we could get a relatively prominent evolutionary scientist to speak. We could have panel discussions of various topics, both formal and informal. A banquet and a drunken orgy… ahem… party would be a must, of course.
You need a primary team to set everything up, probably including an accountant to keep an eye on the money. Maybe CalifBoomer would volunteer? Just kidding!
You also need some gophers to deal with registration, setup, chairs, clean-up, munchies, and other various and sundry tasks.
None of these are insurmountable, and I’m sure that if it’s a popular idea, we could assemble the necessary team right here.
I have a sinking feeling, though, that I’ve just nominated myself to organize this thing.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.
When last discussed (as recently as 4-23-2000) the Teeming Millions Convention 2000 still had St. Louis in the lead. You’re right about finding a honcho, SingleDad; even the local things don’t move unless somebody names a time and a place a keeps pushing the idea.
I nominate lindsay to be in charge of the organ and tissue donation info booth. Heh heh.
Still pulling for Vegas here. St. Louis? Blech, hows come that’s in the lead?
… and/or the Chicago Reader management. A convention would have to be a commercial enterprise, and thus would have to be officially sanctioned by the CR.
If the CR (or anyone else) wants to run it themselves, that would be fine with me, I would certainly go. Chicaco, St. Louis, Vegas, whatever.
If the CR would like me to do it, I would. If I’m going to organize it, the convention would have to be in Denver. Of course, I don’t have any experience running a convention, but I’m a smart guy and I would do my best.
Although I do not post on a regular basis, and then mostly in MPSIMS, I would be very interested in attending a SDMB convention and I volunteer to help out in organizing it.
I’m going to move this thread to it’s proper forum, MPSIMS.