On Tuesday, 26 June 2012 at 18:12:03 UTC, Walter Bright wrote:
> On 6/26/2012 8:41 AM, Jonathan M Davis wrote:
>> On Tuesday, June 26, 2012 16:24:24 Dejan Lekic wrote:
>>> On 26/06/12 10:17, deadalnix wrote:
>>>> Le 23/06/2012 22:50, Walter Bright a écrit :
>>>>> Due to there not being sufficient time left to get enough speakers lined
>>>>> up.
>>>>
>>>> That is sad. But hopefully, I'll probably be able to participate in 2013.
>>>
>>> Seattle is too damn far... :(
>>
>> Well, no matter where you pick, it's too far for someone.
>
> The Astoria location enables us to keep the registration costs low, without compromising. It's a great location.

Walter,

I've never been there, but from your word I've no doubt that the Astoria is a nice venue.

However, for anyone outside the continental US, this location makes the statement that "we're not terribly interested in having you attend": we'll make you take at least two flights (not so many international connections to Portland) or even three (if you don't live near a major air hub in your own country), and then hire a car (there go the savings you got with the cheap registration cost) to drive for 2+ hours after you get off your international flight. Even from a hub location in Europe, this will typically mean 15 or more hours between the airports, plus an unfamiliar drive through Oregon. That's quite a demand on attendees.

Astoria is a niche location. If you want to broaden your audience, I think a more mainstream location would generate more interest internationally, and perhaps even domestically. For example, even just Portland itself, but perhaps better--and I know it's unoriginal--Silicon Valley or US East Coast.

Thanks,

Michael

PS Is there an announce mailing list where one can sign up to get information about the 2013 conference?

On 7/24/2012 1:04 AM, Michael Kerrisk wrote:
> However, for anyone outside the continental US, this location makes the
> statement that "we're not terribly interested in having you attend": we'll make
> you take at least two flights (not so many international connections to
> Portland) or even three (if you don't live near a major air hub in your own
> country), and then hire a car (there go the savings you got with the cheap
> registration cost) to drive for 2+ hours after you get off your international
> flight. Even from a hub location in Europe, this will typically mean 15 or more
> hours between the airports, plus an unfamiliar drive through Oregon. That's
> quite a demand on attendees.
>
> Astoria is a niche location. If you want to broaden your audience, I think a
> more mainstream location would generate more interest internationally, and
> perhaps even domestically. For example, even just Portland itself, but perhaps
> better--and I know it's unoriginal--Silicon Valley or US East Coast.

How about Seattle?

>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael
>
> PS Is there an announce mailing list where one can sign up to get information
> about the 2013 conference?

You can follow D_Programming on twitter.

On Tue, 24 Jul 2012 02:12:05 -0700, Walter Bright <newshound2@digitalmars.com> wrote:

> On 7/24/2012 1:04 AM, Michael Kerrisk wrote:
>> However, for anyone outside the continental US, this location makes the
>> statement that "we're not terribly interested in having you attend": we'll make
>> you take at least two flights (not so many international connections to
>> Portland) or even three (if you don't live near a major air hub in your own
>> country), and then hire a car (there go the savings you got with the cheap
>> registration cost) to drive for 2+ hours after you get off your international
>> flight. Even from a hub location in Europe, this will typically mean 15 or more
>> hours between the airports, plus an unfamiliar drive through Oregon. That's
>> quite a demand on attendees.
>>
>> Astoria is a niche location. If you want to broaden your audience, I think a
>> more mainstream location would generate more interest internationally, and
>> perhaps even domestically. For example, even just Portland itself, but perhaps
>> better--and I know it's unoriginal--Silicon Valley or US East Coast.
>
> How about Seattle?

Seattle has MANY more international connections than Portland (source: I am a certified commercial multi-engine pilot in the Seattle area.)
Airlines with direct international flights From Europe and Asia to Seattle:
All Nippon Airways
Asiana Airlines
British Airways
Condor
Delta Air Lines (primarily to Asia)
Emirates
EVA Air
Hainan Airlines
Icelandair
Korean Air
Lufthansa Airlines
United Airlines  (primarily to Asia)

For the European D users, Lufthansa and British Airways have the best flight schedules and most frequencies. Although if you aren't located near a hub city for these airlines you will still have to make one connection.
For Asian D users, you're options are wide open.

NOTE: I am not attempting to advocate one location over the other as I live in Seattle and can drive to Astoria, it's actually quite a fun drive. I am merely pointing out that for international arrivals, Sea-Tac probably IS the better option.

>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Michael
>>
>> PS Is there an announce mailing list where one can sign up to get information
>> about the 2013 conference?
>
> You can follow D_Programming on twitter.
>
>


-- 
Adam Wilson
IRC: LightBender
Project Coordinator
The Horizon Project
http://www.thehorizonproject.org/