Gnomedex Gnightmares Begin

I know what you mean we go through the same stress at SCALE here in LA. Have you tried the local convention centers? They still nickle and dime you at every step of the way, but in our experience it comes out cheaper than a hotel. The down side is they will often require you to use “approved” contractors for everything from hanging a sign to moving boxes. YMMV.
-Ilan

Is there any kind of Armory around there or, Have you considered the Gymnasium of a particular school, or you might even try the annex of a HUGE church or other gathering place? Sometimes those can be huge and can be sectioned off for vendors etc….

Chris, a two track event could work, but they function best when there are some collective meetings and then separate events too. We all want to bask in the brilliance of your podium talk, sir!
Check out a couple of the local colleges in the greater Seattle area too, and cast a wider net too: being outside of the main downtown Seattle venue can lower costs and, perhaps, increase quality of service too. Or even go to Portland or somewhere similar. Or just come out here and have Gnomedex Boulder! :D
…Dave Taylor

Host it in Vancouver, BC!

I like that one…. or even somewhere in Ontario..

Colorado Springs

Chris – I left a message in the Seattlist about the local indian casinos and don't believe I ever received any response.
Are you willing to consider this as a possible venue option? They aren't hotels and maybe they could do something that would work for this event … check the Seattlist for my post if you missed it.

I don't know if you'll escape the 'nickel and dime' aspect if you move from a hotel to a traditional conference venue. The issues you startrunning into -there- are the control the unions have on the facilities. Whereas a hotel may charge you $150 for a gallon of coffee (common), a union may charge you $150/hour for a fulltime electrician to plug in the laptops. And if one of your people plugs in a laptop without the electrician doing it, they can shut down the event *snaps fingers* like that.
A good meeting planner can negotiate almost anything and get you a good venue, the trick is finding a good meeting planner. I just keep my end of the business in registration services, and leave the contract rattlings to the professionals. *nod*. :)

Stylish!!!! very stylish blog……. makes mine look like a two year old's doodles!!!
anks

Hey Chris,
South Seattle Community College or Seattle Central both have big auditoriums (at least, I know SCCC does) and may not be that expensive. You could do a two-track in that space and maybe something at Oddfellows, depending on what you are aiming for. Unfortunately you are going to run up against wedding bookings from June through October for any space that can hold a decent amount of folks, except for maybe the convention center. How big a space do you need? I assume Seattle Center is either too expensive or booked up also? If you need ideas for other locations you can have Matt May put you in touch with me (I'm his wife).

In another life I was a conference planner for a group of hospitals. We always planned our conferences a year ahead because it was easier for our conferees to attend in May and June or September and October than at other times of the year, My suggestion would be to look at all the high schools, trade schools, community colleges, , musical organizations (Symphony, opera, ballet), museums, etc in the Seattle area to see what they might have now and what might be useful for you next year. Also, the various types of ethnic organizations may also have halls which they use for their various celebrations that might be available. Additionally, many unions have large facilities and I bet they would give you a break on costs if you gave a few freebies to their geeks (and believe me there are plenty of geeks who are in unions). Good luck & start planning for June 2006 in June 2005.

You should really conside Canada, if not anything else but for cost.
Remember $1 US is worth $1.50 in Canada and since Canada seems to be San Fransisco North now with Call For Help being filmed here just do what Hollywood has done for years take off for the Great White North.
I live in London Ontario which is fairly large tech center located near Toronto with an awesome Convention center drop me a line if I can help.
James Mason
james at jamesmason dot ca

Seattle sounds worlds better than Vegas. :)
Lisa @ glimpseofagrrl.com

Chris,
Here are some alternative Seattle venues:
Check out the Seattle Center – http://www.seattlecenter.com as a possible location. They're desperate for bookings and have a wide variety of rooms. Located right at the Space Needle so nice location.
Also check out Experience Music Project – I've been there for a couple of events and it's a pretty cool spot. They're anxious to get new bookings.
The Museum of Flight http://www.museumofflight.org is another unique location but a bit out of the way down on Boeing Field.
Good luck
Brian

You could bring Gnomedex to our beautiful city of Dallas, and hold it at Market Hall or the absolutely HUGE Dallas Convention Center. Don't worry, they have smaller rooms, too.

Well, if you'd like to even vaguely consider Victoria *SUBLIMINAL HINT*, I'd suggest Sancha Hall: http://tourismvictoria.com/Content/EN/417.asp?id=A0001742 *SUBLIMINAL HINT* because it'd be less expensive than Vancouver and also since the hall is 20 minutes North of Victoria, that makes it more affordable still – *and* accommodation within walking distance, like across the street. Very close to the Airport and ferries (10 minutes max). A dozen restaurants within a few blocks… *SUBLIMINAL HINT*. And, you *know* I'd help ;) *NOT SO SUBLIMINAL HINT*

Echoing Brian's suggestion for the Seattle Center. I'm not sure if it's in place, but they were to be covering the campus with wifi, so that'd be one task out of the way if they have it working…

How about Syracuse, NY???

http://www.syracusecvb.org/