So is it too soon to ask...

[Saroc_Luclin]

Where's Fan Faire 2008 going to be? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Much as part of me would love to go back to Vegas, I guess it is the East Coast's turn. How about Boston again? (And I'm not just asking that because it is one of the 4 cities with direct flights to my city's airports, the other three cities being in Canada and thus already out of consideration sadly)

[Rawlden]

<p>I've pretty much decided that I won't be going to any more Fan Faires unless they are in Chicago.</p><p>Sweetpea and I decided we don't need the excuse of a Fan Faire to go to Vegas again. We can go any time we want.</p>

[Havocide]

Im going ! Regardless of where!

[Saroc_Luclin]

Well in the survey they sent out, Chicago was one of the choice. Only 2 or 3 'east coast' locations IIRC though. I wrote in Boston just for kicks, but I'll probably go again, if not next year, the year after.

[Nolrog]

<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">Would be great if it was somewhere local to me.  My daugher really wants to come with me to one of them (though I'm not sure if she really understands what happens there.) </span></p>

[Calthine]

Chicago would rock.  My sister lives there (although we'd be riding a lot of trains!)

[Igie]

<p>I was not thrilled with a lot of the choices... Problem is, places like Denver don't have anything to do. Chicago does have some stuff to do, but given construction right now (among other things) just might be a pain. </p><p>Honestly the only games I have intrest in are SWG, PS, and MxO. Even though I own the other games, I rarely play them. So I need things to do outside of events. </p><p>There also needs to be food places close to the venue. Due to food alergies (which I was VERY disappointed I could not eat at the FF events), I have to be able to find food fast when I need it...</p>

[nightgod2]

A little birdie at GenCon told me that Orlando was a likely spot for the next Fan Faire. Don't know if that's set in stone, but if it happens during winter months, I'll be making the trip, for sure. It was also mentioned that Chicago wasn't too likely in the future due to logistics issues =x

[Tharkis]

<p>Heck, I'd even be happy with it back in vegas again next year.  Vegas always gets a great turnout, and even living about as geographically far from vegas as you can in the US, it's cheap to get there.</p><p>I'd love another one up in boston, because that's only an hour drive, but i didnt really care for chicago when i was there for the 2003 fan faire.  That and apperantly chicago was a nightmare because SoE wasnt allowed to do ANYTHING for themselves, and had to do really dumb things like pay union labor to setup the chairs, speaker systems, tables, etc, things that their own employees usualy do, making chicago much more expensive for SoE to do as well.  (just what i've heard)</p>

[HeiligHangranate]

My money is betting that it will be back in Vegas.  I think this FF had the highest attendance, certainly the highest in a long time.  Some of the previous ones, like Chicago and New Orleans, were much lower.  That makes a big difference, since it allows them to spread the fixed costs of running the FF among more attendees.  Besides, SOE has said before that Vegas is a huge advantage to them.  They have to spend a lot more money getting their employees anywhere else, and as has been pointed out, some places don't let you do anything without paying through the nose.  Vegas certainly knows how to throw a party, and almost nobody complains about going to Vegas (even if you're only mildly interested in the FF, you can find something else to do there 24 hours a day).  I just hope they don't wait another 18 months until the next one, and maybe schedule it sometime when it's not 110 degrees in the shade.

[Calthine]

Wherever it is, I just need about 4 months notice so I can camp Alaska Airlines for the best fares!As for there being nothing to do in some cities...  who had time to do anything else?  I ate, slept (HA), and breathed Fan Faire.  At the airport leaving I lhad time to lose $20 in the slots.  Saved me a fortune....

[Ashlanne]

It is my understanding that a few folks will start scouting locations in October and November <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  However once we pick a place we won't  be able to announce until a contract is signed.  I am not sure if we are going to go the Poll route again or what.  Once I know stuff I will be posting here though <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Sassums]

MIDWEST PLEASE! lol

[Saroc_Luclin]

Hehe as I said at the start, I wouldn't mind Boston. But my mom is intrigued with the idea of an Orlando Fan Faire (just as an excuse to drive down to Orlando with dad, go to some of the parks and such. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> )

[Cebot]

<p>Now that I also have FFF I just have to figure out a way to get there again this year... <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/station/images/smilies/136dd33cba83140c7ce38db096d05aed.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[Emo]

<cite>Ashlanne wrote:</cite><blockquote>It is my understanding that a few folks will start scouting locations in October and November <img src="/station/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" />  However once we pick a place we won't  be able to announce until a contract is signed.  I am not sure if we are going to go the Poll route again or what.  Once I know stuff I will be posting here though <img src="/station/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" /></blockquote>I would like to see somewhere close to oregon or in oregon maybe near medford or portland lol so i can drive there cause i cant afford a plane ticket <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> hope i can make it next year <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Starrla]

<cite>Havocide wrote:</cite><blockquote>Im going !Regardless of where!</blockquote>Me too! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Havocide]

<cite>Starrla wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Havocide wrote:</cite><blockquote>Im going !Regardless of where!</blockquote>Me too! <img src="/station/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" /></blockquote>Im from the UK...so I need plenty of notice. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  I want good flight deals. Which i missed last time. <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Calthine]

<cite>Havocide wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Starrla wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Havocide wrote:</cite><blockquote>Im going !Regardless of where!</blockquote>Me too! <img src="/station/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" />" /></blockquote>Im from the UK...so I need plenty of notice. <img src="/station/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" />  I want good flight deals. Which i missed last time. <img src="/station/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" /></blockquote>Same here.  About two months is the prime-time for mileage plan deals, but 4+ months means sneaky web deals!

[Shox]

<p>Saint Louis.</p><p>its the middle of the country basicly.</p>

[Auroz]

<p>Does anyone know/remember the old dates and 'announcements' of fan faires?</p><p>AKA last year was in August -has every FF been in Aug?</p><p> And I remember a lot of people were antsy and annoyed the announcement came so late, is it always late?</p><p>I am a tad worried because this year I have a job I NEED to give lots of warning in advance for days off =(</p><p>And [Removed for Content] about the issues with Chicago I'm reading about, I know I couple people who would go to Chicago for sure but if it was anywhere else that needed a plane ticket they may not have the money to go to =/ me included =(</p><p>And ugh, please no florida, I think Vegas was enough fun in the sun and heat for me for life >.<</p><p>Any updates Ashlanne??</p>

[HeiligHangranate]

Well, they used to have two Fan Faires a year, one in the spring and one in the fall.  Since they've gone to one per year, it's been one in June and one in August.  They haven't said anything about this year, but it's safe to assume it will probaby be sometime in the summer.  I would hope they'd have info for us by March or April.  They've been getting better about getting info to us earlier.

[Tharkis]

*chants* vegas vegas vegas vegasAnd do it back at the vegas hilton, much better location.  The rio was a nice hotel, but it was really bad for getting together with other players and hanging out  or meeting people.  The vegas hilton however is on the monorail opening up a much larger range of hotel options for everyone , and it's easy walking distance from a lot more hotels than the Rio which is off strip and hard to get to and from.Quarks bar > all !

[Saroc_Luclin]

Last year it was semi-officially announced in late February. So we have a month or so before we'll know better when/where it will be. Hopefully not much longer beyond that thoguh.

[Shadow_Delta]

I live in Chicago so I hope its here !!! go Midwest

[SG_01]

I wouldn't mind Chicago at all! I know quite a bit of people who live in or near there, which would greatly increase the chances of me being there <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[SG_01]

<cite>Calthine wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Havocide wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Starrla wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Havocide wrote:</cite><blockquote>Im going !Regardless of where!</blockquote>Me too! <img src="/station/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" width="15" height="15" />" /></blockquote>Im from the UK...so I need plenty of notice. <img src="/station/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src=" width="15" height="15" />">  I want good flight deals. Which i missed last time. <img src="/station/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src=" width="15" height="15" />"></blockquote>Same here.  About two months is the prime-time for mileage plan deals, but 4+ months means sneaky web deals!</blockquote>Too true, and I definitely want to go, but it all depends on what I can afford.

[Calthine]

<cite>SG_01 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Calthine wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Havocide wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Starrla wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Havocide wrote:</cite><blockquote>Im going !Regardless of where!</blockquote>Me too! <img src="/station/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" width="15" height="15" />" /></blockquote>Im from the UK...so I need plenty of notice. <img src="/station/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" width="15" height="15" />">  I want good flight deals. Which i missed last time. <img src="/station/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" width="15" height="15" />"></blockquote>Same here.  About two months is the prime-time for mileage plan deals, but 4+ months means sneaky web deals!</blockquote>Too true, and I definitely want to go, but it all depends on what I can afford.</blockquote>Chicago and I can crash at my sister's, buy a CTA pass and I'm gtg!

[Bu]

<p>It seems a lot of people like to say Vegas, and I was one of them before last year''s Fan Faire.  However, after going, I don't have any interest in going back to a fanfaire in Vegas. I have done many trade shows for work and years of traveling to gaming conventions and Vegas Fan Faire was the worst I had ever been to. Fan Faire is too small for Vegas. We just don't have the turnstile. The cost associated with Vegas was huge, you had to rush to get lunch and not miss your panels. We also shared space with a "get rich quick" seminar. The room setup offered by the hotel was horrendous. </p><p>I can see the logic to picking a location to achieve both a destination advantage and the event advantage, but if the event is so overshadowed by the location then we might as well all stay home and just try to get the devs to do live events in game or do a web broadcast or something.</p><p>GenCon has almost ten times the turnout and it was in Milwaukee for many many years. Origins has a much higher turn out than fanfair and it is in Columbus, OH. Please, I emplore people to try to fit the event size to an market size. </p>

[Igie]

<cite>Bunn wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>It seems a lot of people like to say Vegas, and I was one of them before last year''s Fan Faire.  However, after going, I don't have any interest in going back to a fanfaire in Vegas. I have done many trade shows for work and years of traveling to gaming conventions and Vegas Fan Faire was the worst I had ever been to. Fan Faire is too small for Vegas. We just don't have the turnstile. The cost associated with Vegas was huge, you had to rush to get lunch and not miss your panels. We also shared space with a "get rich quick" seminar. The room setup offered by the hotel was horrendous. </p><p>I can see the logic to picking a location to achieve both a destination advantage and the event advantage, but if the event is so overshadowed by the location then we might as well all stay home and just try to get the devs to do live events in game or do a web broadcast or something.</p><p>GenCon has almost ten times the turnout and it was in Milwaukee for many many years. Origins has a much higher turn out than fanfair and it is in Columbus, OH. Please, I emplore people to try to fit the event size to an market size. </p></blockquote><p>Actually, it was cheaper to have it in Vegas as opposed to all the other places that were listed.</p><p>As far as the location, yea the Rio ended up being a bad choice IMO as far as picking a hotel for staying at and holding the convention. The city itself is a great place to actually have it though. There is pleanty to do close by for the people who could care less about some of the games and don't want to go to those panels. THere also has to be something to do at night for a lot of people as well. And sorry but places like Milwaukee and Columbus just wont cut it. Milwaukee is nice and all, but not much to do. And as a Michigan fan, I won't set one foot in Columbus EVER again.......</p><p> As for size, it always the largest turnout in Vegas. Turnout is much smaller when they have it anywhere else.</p>