2008 worldcon site selection

[netmouse]

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?

Comments

[rmeidaking.livejournal.com]

I haven't even decided whether to vote or not.

The primary reason that I would vote for Chicago is that the committee bidding is not the same one that ran prior Chicons. This team is significantly younger and more energetic than the folks who ran Chicon 2000.

The primary reason that I would vote for Denver is that it's been a long time since there was a Worldcon in that part of the country, and they can probably do a reasonable job.

The primary reason I would not vote for Chicago is that friends of mine would try to drag me into helping out on it.

The primary reason I would not vote for Denver is that their hotel is located a long way from their convention space. Bleah - I hate that. They are also in a bunch of hotels, which means that there would be a secondary attempt to get into the same hotel as my friends - which often doesn't work. Bleah again.

Columbus is a nice town, but not up to a Worldcon. IMO. Yeah, I feel that way about Ann Arbor, too! The whole state of Michigan, for that matter. :-)

I guess I've talked myself into voting for Chicago. :-)