YearlyKos 2007

What is the plan for YearlyKos 2007.  I couldn't make it to this year's convention due to circumstances beyond my control.  I'd like to start planning for attending next year's.  When will it be, and where?  I can't find any information anywhere.

If it hasn't been decided yet, then what is the process for deciding when and where it will be?

 Perhaps Chicago next year?  Oooh, Hawaii!  Charter a cruise ship?  How many people attended this time?  Could we even fill an 1800 passenger cruise ship?  Might be difficult to get guest speakers though, if they had to commit to a 4 day cruise.  Other ideas?

Were there interpreters for the deaf at this year's?  I will need one for next year....

Here is a link to the diary announcing LV as this year's site selection; some good info in it. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/7/8/11538/16696

•  Best place

    in my humble opinion, would be New Orleans. Of course, I'm from LA, so that helps. But imagine, YearlyKos in the Quarter. Can't beat that!!!

  by usmeagle69 on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:09:54 PM PDT

  •  Note sure you want to juxtapose

    The miles of flooded out houses and misery with chocolate fountains and ice sculptures.

    Chicago would be better.

    by jgkojak on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:16:11 PM PDT

  •  Have you ever been to NO

    in the summer?  I sweated in places I didn't think it was possible to sweat--earlobes, the backs of my hands.

    by hoosierspud on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:48:41 PM PDT

  •  new orleans

    needs business.

    I just got back from there and the downtown is in great shape.  They need business, they need housing for tourism industry people (and everyone else).

    New Orleans also needs to know that the city hasn't been forgotten, that the country is still paying attention, and that its residents (even those in exile) will have a say in its future and will get to vote.

    But I love Chicago, too.

    by Mass Southpaw on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:05:39 PM PDT

    •  Cost

      cost seems to be a big driver.  If NOLA is depressed, then that should help costs.  I know it is cheap to fly there.  It may also be cheap to stay there.  But I woudln't want to risk holding a convention there just as Hurricane season starts.  Maybe pushing it up a bit earlier, mid May?

      by Greenkermie in AZ on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:09:31 PM PDT

      •  Don't forget students

        Someone mentioned the other day that many students couldn't come to YK this year because it was right during Finals season. We should move it to May or July....but the thought of July in NOLA or anywhere in the South makes me want to cry...

        by el ganador on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:31:51 PM PDT

      •  I heard, anecdotally, that hotel prices...

        ...are high there now because of the shortage of rooms.  Maybe the hotels just jack their rates up for the Jazz Fest, though.

        Since it should be easier to get sponsors for next year, maybe costs will be slightly less of a factor.  I'm just speccing, though.  I can't even keep my own personal trip to YK2006 in budget, so I'm no expert.

         

        by martianchronic on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:38:04 PM PDT

•  Um, this was the first

  About 2007 - there is no committe that does this. If you want a 2007 event, why don't you organize one? YK2006 was just a bunch of heroic volunteers who did this on their own time and for no pay.

  by pucklady on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:10:09 PM PDT

  •  There's no committee?

    I'm sorry but were are an non-profit organization (check the YK website) with an awesome board and great advisors.  

    by fabooj on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:06:24 PM PDT

    •  we are

      not were

      by fabooj on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:06:36 PM PDT

  •  not to mention

    We own the name.  ;)

    by fabooj on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:06:58 PM PDT

    •  aoeu

      I'm planning Century Kos now.

      by TealVeal on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:10:09 PM PDT

      •  Cool

        How about a MonthlyKos publication, in Spanish and English, covering 30 days of craziness, shenanigans, legislation, elections, ideas, strategies, brilliant diaries, schedules of events everywhere like Drinking Liberally, and just life in this cockamamie country - distributed beyond blogtopia into the real world, where the disenchanted play?

        by bumblebums on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:18:16 PM PDT

        •  You're onto something.

          Of course, recycled newsprint.  But I'm loving it.

          by Greenkermie in AZ on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:24:25 PM PDT

        •  Hey There!

          Glad to see you made it back safe and sound.  It was great to finally meet you, Bumblebums.  :-)

          by Kevin in Long Beach on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:40:49 PM PDT

          •  You too Kevin!

            It was a long, late drive but we're back home again.

            And hey, go look up Jim Brandt - help boot that moron, Dana Rohrabacher, out of the House!

            by bumblebums on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:48:46 PM PDT

            •  Yup!

              And hey, go look up Jim Brandt - help boot that moron, Dana Rohrabacher, out of the House!

              Already planning on it.  Thanks for the link.  :-)

              by Kevin in Long Beach on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:51:41 PM PDT

          •  I didn't know you were there!

            Man, I missed a lot of people.  

            by fabooj on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 05:53:13 PM PDT

            •  Yeah

              There are a lot of people I would have loved to have met too!

              by Kevin in Long Beach on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 09:19:10 PM PDT

    •  Will there be a request for feedback?

      I'm just going to go right ahead and plant my seeds now:

      Open Space Technology, which is a way to have meetings where the attendees create the agenda.  It's like the space Markos creates here--wide open, with room for everybody, but with real life people.

      And green consciousness.  I didn't recycle one thing while I was there!

      And I'm willing to take some of this on.

      by Blissing on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 05:22:08 PM PDT

      •  Of course

        I'm going to post a diary as soon as I get some rest and reacquaint myself with my family (I've been gone a week).  The agenda we had for this event was created by this community, and the panelist/speakers were also suggested to YK by this community.  Obviously, it turned out well and I'm sure that next year's agenda will be even better with more input.

        by fabooj on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 05:55:29 PM PDT

        •  Thanks, Fabooj!

          I'll keep an eye out for it.

          by Blissing on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 09:54:55 PM PDT

•  Haha

  It wasn't a day in before people were talking about wanting one next year.  They have put the infrastructure in place to make this a sustaining event.  Give the organizers some time to catch their breath.  I was at dinner with Gina, fabooj and Nolan last night.  They were so beat.  It is clear we will have an event next year.  The location is yet to be determined.  This past year they did the reseach on what it would cost to hold it in various cities.  It was much much cheaper to hold it in Vegas and that is what the community voted to do.

  by juls on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:18:44 PM PDT

  •  If it's that much cheaper.,,,

    do it in Vegas again. I already have the two way mirrors intalled at the Riviera.

    by irate on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:46:37 PM PDT

    •  It really

      was cheaper to have it in Vegas.  They make their money elsewhere and can afford to have lower rates on hotels and convention space.  That said it was a drag dealing with all of the smoke, unhealthy food and the heat.

      by juls on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:48:59 PM PDT

      •  Convention city

        Las Vegas was the #1 convention city according to this article:

        http://www.marketwatch.com/...

        Phoenix, while hot, has lower rates on hotels in the summer, which is the off-season for Phoenix, and it has a major airport which should help with airfare.  

        I'll definitely help out with boots on the ground support if it's held here in Arizona.  I'll help out virtually if it's selected elsewhere.

        by Greenkermie in AZ on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:55:38 PM PDT

        •  Totally pushing for Phoenix

          If we had had it in July in Phoenix, the we could have piggybacked with the conference my neighbor had planned there for her church.   The convention center/hotel place they were using was large enough and we would have just split the costs with their organization.  But the community didn't want Phoenix, so there we are.

          by fabooj on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:09:07 PM PDT

        •  I did like Vegas

          and the supply of cheap hotel rooms and good airfare made me think that maybe Vegas should just be the ongoing home of YK. Eventually we'll just toast each other with "Next Year in Jersusal...er..Vegas!"

          by el ganador on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:44:34 PM PDT

      •  I can't think of anywhere.,,,

        that can guarantee good weather in June, Chicago can be hot as hell especially out by the airport where an event like this would probably be held. The lakefront is lovely and can be cool but rooms and convention space are pricey and access can be difficult.

        by irate on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:55:54 PM PDT

  •  The community voted for Chicago, actually.

    I'm sure I'm remembering this right.  We voted -- Chicago won.  

    An executive decision was made to go with Las Vegas because of cost considerations, and that's fine.  They had a hard enough job pulling this extravaganza off -- if doing it in Vegas made things more achievable, then I don't see a reason to complain.  It's pretty mindboggling what the volunteers accomplished.

    But I vote for Chicago in 2007.

    by martianchronic on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:13:50 PM PDT

    •  IIRC

      they researched the cost of both cities and then let the community vote on them.  Vegas won.  There was a vote prior to the research, that I believe is what you are referring too.

      by juls on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:15:16 PM PDT

      •  Link to the Site Selection diary from last year

        Explains it all:
        http://www.dailykos.com/...

        by Greenkermie in AZ on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:17:57 PM PDT

      •  Nope.

        I remember the run-off.  There was a lot of "Well why did we vote, then?!" bitching after Chicago won and Vegas got picked.  Pretty sure I remember the front page post on why it had to be that way, too.

        Or, you know, the NSA captured me and seeded me with false memories to stir up trouble in the community.  That's always possible, too.  ;-)

        by martianchronic on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:20:18 PM PDT

        •  You

          are correct.  Re-reading the diary above the difference 100 votes or so and the price difference was the factor in the decision made by the YK06 team.

          by juls on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:24:46 PM PDT

          •  If it were not for remembering nitpicky details...

            ...my life would have no purpose.

            I might have more friends, though.

            by martianchronic on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:29:39 PM PDT

•  There was no convention in NYC

  This YearlyKos was the first one ever (which I unfortunately didn't attend).

  by DH from MD on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:19:43 PM PDT

  •  What was in NYC 2005 then?

    I saw a YearlyKos NYC 2005 banner on the Yearlykos site not too long ago.  Was I hallucinating?  

    by Greenkermie in AZ on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:23:36 PM PDT

    •  Yup. YK2006 Vegas was the first

      by Sunqueen212 on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:24:27 PM PDT

      •  Updated

        I updated the diary to reflect that this year's was the first one.  But there was an event last year in NYC.  What was that?

        by Greenkermie in AZ on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:32:21 PM PDT

        •  Plain Old Meetups

          We've had a handful of events in NYC since 2005, but they've been only evening-long gatherings, primarily social in nature.  Our organizer for these has been JaneKnowles, whose diaries are probably what you've seen (either pre- or post-event).  There have been a bit over a half-dozen get-togethers, about half of which were set up to feature prominent Kossacks who were in town (in time sequence, Armando, Markos and Jerome Armstrong, mcjoan, and advisorjim).

          If there's been anything more elaborate than this, I'm not really aware of it.

          by The Maven on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:01:12 PM PDT

•  I'd love to have the next one in NYC

  but understand that the costs would be too high. I'm thinking somewhere in the Southeast, (Miami perhaps?) or even the Carolinas. But, please nowhere too hot.

  by Sunqueen212 on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:23:42 PM PDT

  •  It doesn't matter how hot it is

    It's not an al fresco conference. Hotels have air conditioning.

    Your objective, it's safe to assume, would be to attend the scheduled events?

    by bumblebums on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:36:08 PM PDT

    •  Well, I was in Vegas

      But, Vegas was way too hot and the casinos/hotels way too cold. But, whereever it is next year, I will be sure to attend hopefully.

      by Sunqueen212 on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:41:01 PM PDT

      •  I was freezing!!!!

        And to boot, the Riviera added an "energy charge" to the hotel bill.  Crank the AC down to frigid temperatures and then charge us for it - talk about adding insult to injury!

        by peregrina on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 07:06:39 PM PDT

•  YK2007 in Washington, DC

  Schedule it in a place guaranteed to get you maximum exposure.  Kos talks about "crashing the gates" in his book.  How about YK2007 in Washington, DC -- the gated community the netroots want to crash into.  

  Why?

  • The city was designed by a Frenchman, Pierre L'Enfant.  Take that, FOX News!
  • I suggested yesterday that the ideal time would be in late July/early August.  Here are all the reasons why that time frame would be perfect.
  • Of the netroots' targeted audience, two important groups (the politicians and media) are already based here.  Think of all the cable tv shows bloggers could get on, starting on the Thursday of the convention.  Not just MTP.  
  • It is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, one with a great subway system. And one oozing with culture.  Sorry, NYC and San Fran!
  • Finally, if something happens in DC, it is important.  Like it or not.

  by JekyllnHyde on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:29:46 PM PDT

  •  Just checked availability in DC Convention Center

    wide open for July 19 (Thursday) through July 22 (Sunday), 2007.  Other good option in DC is the Shoreham Hotel where you can get big conference rooms plus sleeping rooms at discount (the old self-contained) plus it's right up the hill from the Dupont Circle area and across the bridge from Adams Morgan for those fun treks to good food and fun!

    Shall I keep looking?

    by edgery on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:42:36 PM PDT

    •  Yes!

      Another thing that I thought of was that having it here in DC should significantly boost attendance by Hill staffers and others from the vast array of interest groups, professional organizations, and numerous other institutions that are based here in Washington, DC.  Increased participation in and attendence by such groups in our convention would serve to further legitimize the netroots community.

      And if that were true, perhaps we can start an online program/system where Washingtonians would volunteer to house out-of-town YK attendees, thereby saving on lodging costs.

      I know some in the blogosphere are wary of getting too close to the political establishment but Kos conceded in his Warner post earlier today that it is a good thing when politicians pay close attention to us.  

      I would love it if YK2007 was held in DC.

      by JekyllnHyde on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:57:54 PM PDT

      •  that's both good and bad.

        We don't need them to legitimize us.  The netroots have arrived already.

        I think Philadelphia, with its strong local blogging community, historical sites, and, in 2007, the availability of re-elected Gov. Rendell and new Sen. Casey, might be worthy of consideration.

        by Adam B on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:30:18 PM PDT

        •  and I shall begin getting cost ideas for several

          cities including Philly -- don't want to reinvent the wheel though so will just gather info and then reach out to gina.  I   l o v e  doing this kind of stuff!  (yes, i am a bit wacky at times, i enjoyed taking the sat, gre, etc. also)

          by edgery on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:45:13 PM PDT

          •  Duplicating efforts

            There's no need to reinvent the wheel.  I have a stacj of info here already and a diary will most likely be posted in mid-July on this (post-convention report will be a big influence).

            by fabooj on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 08:19:52 PM PDT

            •  agree, thanks for all you guys have done

              and I'll stand down till you let us know what we can do to make YK07 as good as this years!

              by edgery on Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 08:01:08 AM PDT

        •  No self-interest there.

          Cmon, you can afford the airline ticket.

          Out of self-interest, I'd suggest the San Francisco Bay Area, birthplace of Daily Kos and home to the strongest progressive community in the country, the home district of the House Majority Leader, the home district of the two Senators from California, and an all-around fun place.

          BUT ... I think that going East Coast is only fair, and the D.C. idea is great because it is the political epicenter.  Another good site to consider is the media epicenter of the World -- Times Square NYC -- just picture Kossacks on GMA.

          by cityduck on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 04:05:13 PM PDT

          •  I can also. . .

            . . . have the space to put up 6+ people in our house if it's here.

            SF is an expensive city for a convention; I don't think we're nearly as bad here.  Also, Mummers.

            by Adam B on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 09:11:41 PM PDT

    •  If At the Right Tine of the Year

      Some colleges or universities will support moderately sized events for a reasonable cost.  You won't have the options (typically) for onsite catering and for whatever venue setup hotels offer, but DC has lots of colleges and perhaps one of those might help to keep down costs.  That said, I've been to a ton of conventions and regional meetings at the Sheraton up on Connecticut Ave, and the two Marriotts over in Cyrstal City seem popular for people in my business -- but I expect that is because they are closer to the Pentagon and right by National Airport.

      by cassandra m on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 05:55:40 PM PDT

      •  One More Idea

        Baltimore (my hometown!) is an excellent meeting location, with alot of choices that are normally cheaper than DC.  BWI is also a Southwest hub, and Balto is close enuff to DC that staffers and other inside-the-bubble types could get there pretty easily.

        That said, now that I live in Wilmngton, DE, Adam's suggestion of Philly is AOK with me...

        by cassandra m on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 05:59:33 PM PDT

•  Chicago

  Chicago Chicago Chicago Chicago Chicago

  by paddykraska on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:36:31 PM PDT

  •  Or if you wnat to get all rooty & affordable

    hold it here in South Bend- tons of hotel and convention accomodations (think Notre Dame home games!!!).

    It could probably be done for a 1/3 of what Las Vegas cost!!!

    by paddykraska on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:38:51 PM PDT

    •  but how good are the airfares to South Bend

      the idea of having it in or near a big hub is that folks can get great airfares -- lower costs to get there means more people will show up. (of course, in true economist fashion, I also say "on the other hand, the cost of plane tickets could be offset by lower room rates" and I go off on my on-the-one-hand-but-on-the-other tangent)

      by edgery on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:44:37 PM PDT

      •  You fly into...

        Chicago.

        by Kevskos on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:49:01 PM PDT

        •  Could have shuttle buses - did that for conferenc

          at U of Michigan in Ann Arbor - fly into Detroit Metro and shuttle to Ann Arbor.  Definitely doable.

          top of the head pros/cons for college town:

          --will the pols come?
          --we want MSM and party to see netroots as diverse crowd; how does it play to park on a campus?

          by edgery on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:56:03 PM PDT

          •  The area

            has a dedicated bus line called United Limo that runs regular routes from Midway & O'Hare every day.

            Our convention center & hotels are in the downtown, not on campus, but very close to campus (which I think would really boost the local angle).

            by paddykraska on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 05:32:05 PM PDT

•  I'll go

  if it is in Chicago.

  Hell, I'll help organize it if it is Chicago.

  by poemless on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:40:53 PM PDT

  •  I'll help where ever it is -- will not miss

    this a second time!

    by edgery on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:45:09 PM PDT

•  Anywhere USA

  But I really did like Las Vegas.  It is a hub city with a range of affordable hotel rooms if one cannot afford the host hotel rate (or if it gets full).  I would fully support a Las Vegas repeat.

  That said, I will go anywhere YK ends up, but my second choice would likely be Washington D.C. if for no other reason than that it where that darned gate is located.  Still, I am betting the hotel rates are a lot higher than you would find in Lost Wages Nevada.

  by Sychotic1 on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 02:50:49 PM PDT

•  I think I would

  be better able to go if it were in DC, Philly, or even Raleigh. Hell, Raleigh I can help organize as it's home territory for me...

  by triciawyse on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:28:14 PM PDT

•  Rural Location?

  How about Beckley, WY in Appalachia or Houghton, MI in the Upper Peninsula or Wrangell, AK in the Southeast?  All these areas could pull off a convention and it would go far to helping depressed regional economies.  You would see, firsthand, the multiplier effect.

  Transportation would be a bit of a challenge, but not that difficult.  My guess is that the time it takes to get from Charleston airport to Beckley is about the same as what it takes you to get thru baggage and to your hotel in Vegas.  More miles, but less hassle.  And I have little doubt that these communities - or others like them - would roll out the red carpet for YearlyKos.

  Oh yes - And why not Minot?

  by johnnygunn on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:31:52 PM PDT

•  If you want to crash the gate...

  ...you need to first get in front of the gate.  Do it in D.C. so that the DNC and Hill staffers can come by without taking valuable time away from whatever they're working on (and yes, much of it is valuable contrary to what we hear around these parts).

  Furthermore, imagine how many elected pols would come by?  I think we can all agree that showing the assembled power of the netroots to the electeds is a good (albeit minor) way to affect the way things are done at the top.

  In addition, the political media is centered there.  Wouldn't it be nice to have Kos in the "Situation Room" during the conference?  Just a thought.

  by docciavelli on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:37:22 PM PDT

  •  People keep suggesting D.C.

    I put out the disclaimer that I really think asking the organizers to pick a spot one day after the conference is over for next year is a little much. And it really feels like some of the excitement over the next YKos is a bandwagon effect given the amount of success it has (and that comment isn't directed at you docciavelli, but more in general)

    But I thought one of the purposes of this site and YKos is to pierce the D.C. bubble for politicians, to get them out of their respective corners and see that there is a whole big country out there with bright, motivated, and responsible progressives. Having it in DC doesn't really "maximize the impact" because the impact is not only to give the Netroots a voice but be instructive for the politicians.

    by Me on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:47:44 PM PDT

    •  some of us didn't get to YK so we're trying to

      help brainstorm some while the rest decompress.  I know that's my case and suspect it is for others right now.

      Also, a year out is about right for planning something of this size -- the places get booked and getting quotes now may provide some leverage later.

      I hear you on DC, which is why as much as I'd love it to be here (I'm in DC), I think Philly is probably better because it does make the Washington folks get outside the Beltway.  Still, summer of 2007 could be quite interesting in DC and the more we can be in their face, I say the better!  Also, even though a few of us are from here, we're talking about bringing the people to the gate--making it hard as hell for anyone on the Hill with a lick of sense to give the old "I have a vote" or "scheduling conflict" story.  Those that can't make it to something around the corner wouldn't get off lightly.

      by edgery on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 04:00:57 PM PDT

    •  FWIW

      Other conferences announce the locations of the next year's events either at or before the current conference.  For example, Out and Equal has yet to hold their conference in Chicago later this year, but they have already announced next year's location to be in DC.  

      I have nothing but the greatest respect for YearlyKos organizers and I certainly don't intend to "hound" anyone so soon after pulling this years event off.  Still it's good to get a discussion going and get things reserved as soon as possible.

      by Greenkermie in AZ on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 04:13:49 PM PDT

•  Atlanta

  is a huge airline hub, ensuring great rates from anywhere in the country. It's the South, and it would be good to reach out to Southern Democrats.

  And hey - lots of conference centers to choose from. Looks like we could get great rates at the Georgia Tech conference center right in downtown if we went for the uber-patriotic July 4th weekend:

  http://www.glcc.gatech.edu/...

  by el ganador on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:42:41 PM PDT

  •  I was wondering why I hadn't heard Atlanta before

    and had already added it to my list of places to seek cost info about -- what's the name of the largest hotel complex or convention center and I'll put it on my to-do list.

    by edgery on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:47:21 PM PDT

    •  here are a couple

      Cobb Galleria - in North downtown - kinda swanky, but awesome location

      http://www.cobbgalleria.com/...

      Georgia International Conf Center - nearer to airport, but no so close to downtown...

      http://www.gicc.com/...

      They are both pretty huge - but that's good - I think we should set a goal of close to 10X increase in size - it was about 1200 people this time - why not 12,000 next? It'll be a primary year - every candidate will want to come talk to us....why not dream big?

      by el ganador on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 03:52:20 PM PDT

      •  still early for primaries - year away

        and I think 12,000 is a huge over-estimate.  But I could see expanding it's reach by having webcasts where those who can't get there are still "in the room", can ask questions, etc.  oooh, another cool thought - did YK have that this year?

        by edgery on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 04:03:09 PM PDT

        •  Not too early

          Think about it - the 2008 primaries begin in January of 2008 - by July of 2007 we'll absolutely know most if not all of the Democratic field. Heck - Warner and Clark and Richardson were at YK06. Anyone who thinks that we aren't going to see all of the nominees come a-courtin' next year is not getting how huge this thing was this year...

          As far as numbers, 12,000 might be a stretch, but I know at least 5 people who want to come with me next year, including my mom. I think there is a huge desire to attend and participate, and we should think big about how large this could be....

          by el ganador on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 04:12:37 PM PDT

    •  Here's another Atlanta CC for you

      http://www.gwcc.com/...

      by el ganador on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 04:26:46 PM PDT

•  Washington, DC?

  Hey, wherever...whenever.

  by InquisitiveRaven on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 04:25:23 PM PDT

•  Boston!

  by Clem Yeobright on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 04:43:41 PM PDT

•  IMO

  we should target Ohio or Florida, the swing states. I say we do it in Cincinnati or Cleveland.

  by Opakapaka on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 05:01:58 PM PDT

•  have it in the south

  of course, unless you want to ignore it.

  Looking at it from a political perspective, the two areas where the democratic party needs to reach out the most is the West and the South.  Well, we've hit the west now.  I know the midwest and northeast may draw more people.  Perhaps one can find a sort of centralized location to those three - like Cincinnati or something.

  I also liked the idea of having it Washington.

  As for New Orleans, perhaps if the DNC doesn't choose it for it's convention in 2008, it's a possibility, but if the DNC does choose NO, having two liberal conventions there in consecutive years may be overkill.

  There are also places like Atlanta and Charlotte too.

  by FleetAdmiralJ on Mon Jun 12, 2006 at 06:02:29 PM PDT