Where to hold US Go Congress...

[Joaz Banbeck]

...
Are cities preferable for some reason?

Rural areas can't handle 400+ people descending on them, plus they don't have big airports. I don't want to double my travel costs and sleep in a barn.

[xed_over]

...
Are cities preferable for some reason?

Rural areas can't handle 400+ people descending on them, plus they don't have big airports. I don't want to double my travel costs and sleep in a barn.

What?! No Woodstock-like Go tournaments?

[uglyboxer]

What?! No Woodstock-like Go tournaments?

Whoa. Camping and Go. That could be cool. I'll skip the mud part though.

[TominNJ]

...
Are cities preferable for some reason?

Rural areas can't handle 400+ people descending on them, plus they don't have big airports. I don't want to double my travel costs and sleep in a barn.

I didn't know you were so picky.

I was thinking more about big city vs. suburban venues. Access by air and rail would obviously be a plus.

[gowan]

Phoenix, Albuquerque, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Milwaukee, Ann Arbor, Atlanta, New Orleans.

Phoenix? In August? Sheesh.

If I'm not mistaken there was a very successful congress in Houston which is very humid in addition to being hot. Everything is indoors at the congress and everything is air conditioned in Phoenix. Since Phoenix is close to all sorts of interesting places to visit it might attract people who want to make the congress a family vacation. Also, August in Phoenix is the "off season" so airfares might be cheaper.

[gaius]

Phoenix, Albuquerque, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Milwaukee, Ann Arbor, Atlanta, New Orleans.

Phoenix? In August? Sheesh.

If I'm not mistaken there was a very successful congress in Houston which is very humid in addition to being hot. Everything is indoors at the congress and everything is air conditioned in Phoenix. Since Phoenix is close to all sorts of interesting places to visit it might attract people who want to make the congress a family vacation. Also, August in Phoenix is the "off season" so airfares might be cheaper.

But at Go Congresses (at least the EGC's that I went to, I never went to the AGC), I always need my outside time... After all, what could be greater than a nice long run in the evening after playing go all day long? Plus, who wants to stay inside in summer when you could also be enjoying beautiful weather?

[oren]

Hotel costs may drop, but most congresses seem to find their venues on college campuses. They can therefore get bargains on housing by renting the dorms cheaply. Any time other than summer, this is no long an option.
And as much as people complain about the cost, 9 nights in a hotel will be vastly more expensive than the dorm options.

I wonder how cheaply. I looked at last congress and getting a hotel in the area was cheaper than the dorm options and that was without any discounts.

[balmung]

next week we will officially know if Birmingham is where the 2012 or 2013 is.

[Joaz Banbeck]

next week we will officially know if Birmingham is where the 2012 or 2013 is.

What is the intented venue? UAB?

[balmung]

next week we will officially know if Birmingham is where the 2012 or 2013 is.

What is the intented venue? UAB?

Yes. We will be using the entire campus, and they currently plan on outsourcing labor by mapping and getting deals for local restaurants. We are trying to make room's affordable as well. plus Birmingham has a humongous mall, and other cool attractions(it is a pretty big city).

[hyperpape]

Alright, the trick is that you'll have to give comprehensive recommendations and evaluations of all the Southern food within a 40 mile radius--I need something with which to lobby my wife. We'll look sceptically at Alabama barbeque, but go ahead and tell us about it.

[balmung]

Alright, the trick is that you'll have to give comprehensive recommendations and evaluations of all the Southern food within a 40 mile radius--I need something with which to lobby my wife. We'll look sceptically at Alabama barbeque, but go ahead and tell us about it.

Everyone looks down on Alabama, because they think we are idiots. The actual reality is that the ideas that make Alabama run are from geniuses not hicks. I dare say I have seen the most Go potential out of Alabama players then most other states, but I digress we will map out all the restaurant with in driving distance. The Restaurants in Birmingham go from from the best southern meals to the best Asian food you could try(that is why the south is known for it's hospitality ). I can promise this will be a great congress and please participate knowing that you are contributing to spreading Go in the south eastern region.

[oren]

I went to Birmingham in summer once for a motorcycle race at Barber Motorsports Park. Honestly going in summer was awful weather, and I couldn't find much to do there.

I wish you luck organizing the tournament though.

[Joaz Banbeck]

As long as y'all allow white stones and black stones on the same board, I'll be there.

[hyperpape]

Balmung, it's nothing to do with hicks. It's just that I'm from North Carolina, and our attitude is that nothing can compare to Eastern North Carolina barbecue.