Gnomedex Goes Hollywood

Blake Ross a few questions about Firefox development. Thought I was back in the days of legal conferences when the audience called for no critique of Blake’s product, lest we have some good open debate to bring about innovation. Now Chris Pirillo says Gnomedex is going Hollywood next year. As in moving the conference from Seattle to Hollywood. Perhaps Seattle having a bad weather week next year or running out of cool places for networking parties are good enough reasons to move. But doing so, for what appears to be 20 something’s, who

Chris and Ponzi are seriously considering taking the next Gnomedex to Hollywood to engage traditional media with “new” media; wouldn’t it be great if the event were to take place way up on Mt. Hollywood, in the newly-renovated Griffith Observatory? Talk about seeing stars! Tags:

This will rock.

Cool – sounds like a big move for Gnomedex.

Want some honest freedback? I don’t care that much for the whole “old media” culture, and to be honest, the media-focussed sessions of G6 (Ethan, Dave D., etc.) were the least interesting to me. They were still fun, and it was refreshing to hear some new ideas, but it felt like it was more about the “old” media industry than the hard core geeky cool stuff that we geeks get all excited about. And it could have just been me, but it felt like all of the “cool” media people that attended were a lot less approachable than the techies in the crowd.

That said, I wouldn’t miss G7, and I’ll be there, but I hope that Gnomedex can stay close to it’s geeky, independent roots. I know we’re all involved in a new media, but let’s define it to be what we want it to be, and not focus over much on what the “old” media is like.

Hope that makes sense! :-)

I’d be sorry to see Gnomedex leave Seattle… I doubt that I could afford to go independently, as I have these last two times :(

I Definitely don’t believe that Cali makes any sense for the event. I think you ought to do a full poll before deciding for sure. I think the results will indicate that Cali is a mistake in the long run. Seattle has been good to you, as has our home state of Washington.

There’s a reason why people are moving to WA from CA by the truck load. It isn’t for the jobs, it’s to get away from the Cali-based BS. On behalf of the Washington residents who are proud to have their state known for this event, please consider the long term reactions of “going hollywood”. But also understand that you are my friend and I will support your final call on this matter, even if we see things differently.

Remember to consider the casual attendee before the “power-participants”.
I am there either way. But Cali? Yuck!

I heard rumors about this at the event this year and was really hoping that these were, in fact, just rumors and that the event would remain in Seattle. Great town, great venues, great forum for a conference like this to be had. But I also understand that things change and maybe it’s time to go Hollywood with this thing after all. Maybe.

[...] Gnomedex Goes Hollywood ~ Chris Pirillo: [...]

I fully support an LA-based Gnomedex. I’m born and bred Silicon Valley, and yeah, it’s where ideas come and go, and it IS the epicenter (ok, the valley is, more than SF, but Bay Area overall, the lines blur)…

Gnomedex rocked for me this year, but not cuz of a couple of good sessions, but because there seemed to be a bit of a reality check, some dissent– even in the form of cranky old guys (I love the cranky old guys, and the cranky old-guys in training /crunch)… more backchannel and hallway stuff. And more fearless everyday folks. It was beautiful!

We can keep innovating and trying out the future stuffs, but one of those feet has to be rooted in the reality of everyday life. You can’t sell the idea of something better if you can’t reach the largest group of people that doesn’t think there’s something better.

Paradox, no?

I live in L.A. Anything I can do to help, just let me know.

BTW, doesn’t have to be Hollywood. Could be downtown or Westside/Santa Monica. There’s quite a bit of tech in Santa Monica. You will also draw people from Orange County, San Bernardino County, Santa Barbara, etc.

Re: cranky old men. You can get your point across without being grumpy – and will probably convince more people if you do.

And I say that as one who is older (57) than some/most of the grumps.

Is the Super Bowl or Olympics held in the same location year after year? See, now I’m making sense.

I have never been to a Gnomedex, but I would if it were in my own backyard. And maybe if I went to that first one I would continue to go year after year, no matter the location. Actually, I’m probably going to go to #7 even if it remains in Seattle.

Aside from all the cool stuff you can do in LA, it’s so easy to get to from everywhere.

Bring it to LA. Try it, you’ll like it.

OK, OK, I hear all you Cali folks (sup Eric, call me). And I’ll be there regardless of because it’s crazy not to attend, too many killer opportunities. Having said this, I still stand by my initial Seattle thoughts. I love my home state – ‘nough said. ;o)

And really wish I could edit my comments for typos. Just bitching out loud, it’s been a long month…lol

I have a suggestion for a Gnomedex location: The Griffith Observatory. Once it’s re-opened this year, it’s going to be *the* place to go in L.A. Following a 5-year renovation which doubled its exhibit space and added a Wolfgang Puck-run restaurant, this historical location (which I used to work at) sits atop Mt. Hollywood, and affords one of the most wondrous views of Los Angeles, from the downtown skyscrapers to the beach (on a clear day). The Hollywood sign is also within spitting distance (though the sign itself is perched atop Mt. Lee).

Additionally, the Griffith Observatory will have a brand-new planetarium theatre. It used to be capable of seating 300; I don’t know what it will be capable of now. They’re also majorly overhauling the parking situation, which previously was horrendous. More details will be available at GriffithObs.org, I’m sure.

My gut response to your consideration of bringing Gnomedex to L.A. provoked some mixture of thrill and disappointment. Thrilled because I live in L.A., and that increases the likelihood I’ll be able to attend the event. It’s that same reason, however, that’s got me slightly disappointed; I kind of like the idea of travelling elsewhere to attend Gnomedex. Yet the thought of combining the event with a location I’ve been fond of for most of my life (and haven’t been able to visit these past 5 years or so) thrills me to no end…

Gnomedex is my favorite conference, two years in a row. Thanks to Gnomedex I got to discover a cool city called Seattle.

I am ‘all in’ wherever you plan on holding the event. The hallway was as good as the lunch was as good as the main room and the breakout sessions. It rocked.

Two hours North, one hour South, does not matter to me. I really enjoyed the spirit of Gnomedex and the attendance, and I would bet that both can be replicated – albeit slightly differently – in LA.

Chris:

I promised you the keys to the City in another thread, and I’ll see that they are delivered. If need be, we’ll get you and Ponzi to the front door of the conference on a fire truck. Tell us what you need, and we’ll make it happen. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Stay Safe and Be Well,

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

In case you wondered…

http://lafd.blogspot.com/2006/04/day-in-life-lafd-ubergeek-brian.html

What??? Hollywood?? Why is it that as soon as a city gives recognition to Gnomedex, the conference leaves??? Is that not giving the conference a bad name???

I have enjoyed Seattle and believe that Seattle is the home of Gnomedex. The “new” media is in Seattle, challenge yourself and get the “old” media to come to us!!! That would make a true statement.

[...] Speaking of Hollywood, local techie Chris Pirillo suggests that he may move the next Gnomedex conference there from Seattle, where it has been held for the last two years. [...]