Where to hold US Go Congress...

[imabuddha]

Maybe find places where August/July are the off-season

Somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere then?

[TominNJ]

2011 Go Congress to be in Santa Barbara. Any thoughts for 2012? 2013? 2014? We need to plan further ahead, the way those earnest Europeans do...

Andy

Just out of curiosity, how many people attend these Congresses?

Are cities preferable for some reason?

[Kirby]

If it's in Ann Arbor, maybe the University go club can host it (http://www.umich.edu/~goclub/)...

[TominNJ]

2011 Go Congress to be in Santa Barbara. Any thoughts for 2012? 2013? 2014? We need to plan further ahead, the way those earnest Europeans do...

Andy

The University of Maryland might be a good spot if you're looking for an east coast US venue.

http://chapters.usgo.org/UMD/

They hosted a mid-Atlantic regional tournament in 2007.

[shapenaji]

Maybe find places where August/July are the off-season

Somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere then?

I was actually thinking the American South/Southwest... Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona... Places where it gets hot. Most folks are going to be indoors anyway, and people visiting will be looking for indoor attractions, you might be able to haul a few sightseers in.

[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).