netmouse: (Default)
netmouse ([personal profile] netmouse) wrote2006-04-07 03:54 pm

2008 worldcon site selection

I am torn about what site to vote for for the 2008 worldcon. I know quite a few people working on the Chicago Bid, and I'm sure they can run a terrific con, though I've never been to a Chicago worldcon. But, frankly, I'm leaning toward voting for Denver.

Here's why:

  • Denver's a great city. I like the area, and I don't get out there enough
  • I go to Chicago all the time. And frankly, I'm not all that crazy about it (though it has my favorite skyline in all the world and, yes, they do have good hot dogs.)
  • Chicago has had a lot of worldcons (this would be their seventh) - I feel for fairness and for the impression we give non-Americans, we should vary where the con is held more than we do.
  • I like Kent Bloom (chair of the bid). I met him at a smofcon and he seemed both nice and ept. I like people working on the Chicago (and columbus) bids too, but I see them fairly often. I haven't seen Kent in years.
  • It seems like the bid committee has negotiated a good deal for their hotel and facilities, at least according to their reports
  • I like the idea of having the convention earlier in August, so as to be before school starts and not conflict with dragoncon. (not that I go to dragoncon, but hey)


The Chicago bid web page is more slick. The group has also given themselves more time to bid, and accordingly put more time into it, and they have a theme. But I'm still leaning toward voting for Denver. Anyone want to try to talk me out of it?

[identity profile] kevin-standlee.livejournal.com 2006-04-07 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I was one of the people who showered Kent Bloom with $20 bills in the lobby of the Chicago SMOFCon when in an unguarded moment he spoke of bidding for Denver, and I have a friend of the bid membership in Denver. I have tremendous respect for Kent, who I consider someone who has thought through many of the aspects of Worldcon running more thoroughly than most. He has considerable person experience working with Worldcons, and I believe he can recruit an excellent committee.

(Among his long list of credits: Kent ran the Events division at ConAdian; I was WSFS division manager and deputy chair. Last year in Glasgow he was the event producer (area/department head) for Opening/Closing Ceremonies, which meant he reported to me, and if that doesn't show the patience of a saint, I don't know what does.)

But Chicago has a massive location advantage, and will draw from a larger population base, and has a "one roof" Worldcon, which is always an advantage. And I believe that if Chicago wins, they will put together a good Worldcon too.

Poor Columbus: While I'm sympathetic to them, and they did manage to file a bid, as far as I'm concerned they've defaulted on this election.

I know I'll be voting Denver and Chicago 1 and 2 in this election; I just haven't decided which order it will be.

[identity profile] cherylmorgan.livejournal.com 2006-04-08 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Hang on a minute. You are on the Hollister Bid Committee!

[identity profile] kevin-standlee.livejournal.com 2006-04-08 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, bother. I meant "I'm voing Denver and Chicago 2 and 3..." of course. Whoops.

[identity profile] cherylmorgan.livejournal.com 2006-04-08 05:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Good, now to insert some subliminal messages in this post so that everyone else reading this votes for Hollister too.