Did any of those plans for a national DU "convention" ever go anywhere?

[Robb]

I can't recall who had the biggest bug in their bonnet for getting it together and booking a hotel.

I do recall voting for Vegas. :shrug:

[mopinko]

1. chicago

centrally located, especially for me. great beer. lots to do.

[liberalhistorian]

2. I don't know, but I also

remember when it was being so enthusiastically planned, and the poll asking where people wanted to have it. I still think it's a great idea that we should continue to work on.

Of course, there are so many of us who want to go to NYC during the repuke convention to protest that we might end up having one there by default!

[populistmom]

3. Here's a big thread that talked about it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=400177

Not sure if it was just a thread, or if it was "thee" thread, but if it helps.
:)

[TNDemo]

4. I think a DU cruise would be fun.

Lots of meetings on different things during the day and partying all night.

[mopinko]

6. i'm there!

[bigwillq]

14. The cruise and the partying sounds fun

and of course we can't forget about the meetings

[LincolnMcGrath]

5. A multi site Late Summer

DU meetup with video link ups.

[prolesunited]

7. Chicago

Central location and major air hub with two airports to chose from.

I think it stopped over the dispute on Vegas. It really seemed to divide people, with some saying they wouldn't go if it was held there. None of the other cities elicited such disdain. I think if we dropped Vegas, we could move forward.

[Robb]

8. Heck

I'm certainly willing to drop Vegas. I'm willing to go to Chicago for sure... good food town, and pretty much limitless hotel options.

OK, so it's decided. We'll do it in Chicago. ;) Who's getting a convention space?

[prolesunited]

9. I'm here, so I can help

What time period? Tons of great food and music festivals during the summer. What about planned in conjunction with one of them?

Blues? Jazz? Gospel? Taste of Chicago? Stay in the city (most expensive)? Or fringe with public transit options?

[Robb]

10. This would be a huge undertaking

To do it right, obviously we'd need a convention space, maybe two days of speakers and forums, social stuff at night (maybe two "rubber chicken" banquets, or maybe just one and dine-around on night 2);

Ideally we'd have multiple lodging options set up waaaay in advance, with everything from four levels of hotel info (price ranges), shuttle possibilities, rail/bus line info to get to the convention center.

Figure out an attendance fee (to offset speakers and site fees). Locals willing to house people, others willing to sponsor travel expenses, maybe a fund drive in advance for that part, and a hat-passing for DU proper during the events.

Very, very complicated.

[mopinko]

11. i'm here too.

there are a lot of chitown DUers.
i would like to suggest that this happen during warm weather. there are places to camp that are still accessible to downtown. however, spring in chicago is usually pretty cold.
but before i would invest a lot of shoe leather, i would want to see some money in the bank.

[Robb]

12. I'd say

4th of July weekend makes some sense, being that many folks have a little time off. Although the big problem there would be space gets more expensive; maybe Flag Day weekend in June? :shrug:

[mopinko]

13. we need a poll or 2

and we need to kick this thread.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

15. As long as you don't call the first one the 1st Annual.

I have a gun, and I know how to use it. LOL
Duckie

[LastKnight]

16. and for entertainment... i know we have alot of DU musicians...

a DU jam session perhaps with those willing to participate... or a few people could get together and work out a few songs... probably covers of the popular music discussed in the lounge, nothing too serious... just somethin fun...

just a thought

-LK

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

17. I say we do it close to me

Or I'll never be able to go, and that would be a shame ;)

[Robb]

18. The trick would be

...sort of a scholarship system, where folks could chip in travel expenses. And a need-a-ride, have-a-ride sort of thing as well.

I strongly suspect we could get some great speakers for next to nothing.

I also suspect trying to plan such a thing would practically require its own forum. I know the Admins have encouraged us in the past to go for little get-togethers, I'd be curious if they'd chime in their thoughts on a monster such as this.

[LastKnight]

19. if we could get a fraction of our membership to attend... just think...

what kinda speakers/canadates would jump on the chance to sieze support from a large grassroots nationwide organization such as DU... this is gonna need alot of coordination though.

-LK