by Playitloudforme » Wed Oct 21, 2009 3:40 am
My Pros/Cons of the choices:
Los Angeles
Pros:
A good chunk of bands live there already. Transporation expenses cut waaay back. Bands probably would not need 'hotel' accomodations either, they could just go home.
Entertainment above and beyond surrounds the area, as does eateries, scenery.
4 airports (LAX, Burbank, Ontario and John Wayne) all within an hour of "LA" central.
More hotels than you could need, giving your guests a wide variety of choices. They may need a cheaper hotel if they are scarfing up airfare. Speaking of airfare, LAX is generally cheaper to fly into than Burbank or Ontario (go figure). More bang for your buck. Airport shuttles take you anywhere in the city for around $26 per trip.
Depending upon the location of the venue, bus/metro lines might work for you.
Tons of theaters to do this in (i.e., Wiltern, Alex). Plenty of room, and not necessarily uber expensive.
The weather... aaaahhh. Just not in August, that's all I'd say. August is evil in LA.
Plus...there's the beach, I'm just sayin'... Moonshadows at sunset. Booyah.
Cons:
Not centrally located, will be a flight for many.
Depending on where you go, venue costs could be high (but then again, there's a LOT of options).
Traffic. Traffic sucks. Traffic sucks beyond all. If you plan this right, again, right location, traffic issues could be kept to a minimum.
...that's about it.. I love LA, so ... unless you plan on hanging out at 5th & Main, it's safe.
N.Y.
Pros:
Well shoot, it's NY. Again, plenty of hotels, restaurants, and other distractions.
Again, airport Options (tons of flights Into and out of NY). Transportation ... no problem.
Cons:
Traffic -- worse than LA.
Costs -- as I remember, NY was uber expensive for hotels.
Venue -- again, I'd have to think this would be expensive.
Not centrally located (bands, west coast guests all have to fly in and pay for hotel.
Weather could be issue
Chicago
Pros:
Centrally located.
Gorgeous City.
Tons of hotels, restaurants. Some of the best frickin' restaurants in the country are in Chicago.
Shopppping!
2 major airports to fly into
Cons:
Nearly everyone has to fly in, including bands.
If not held in summer months, weather is an issue.
Unknowns:
Venues? What choices are there? (and are they expensive?)
Transportation? Not familiar with Chicagos public transit system, or does everyone NEED to rent a car (cost prohibitive).
Vegas
Pros:
Geezus... do I have to bother?
Hotels ranging from cheap to $$$$
Transportation taxis galore, or walk the Strip
Nightlife -- they have nightlife in Vegas? Really?
Restaurants (buffets people...cmon)... and if you are gambling you drink for almost free.
Bands COULD drive in (4 hour drive from LA..not a big deal).
Cons:
Venue cost might be out of the park.
Everyone needs to fly in (but then again.... airfares to Vegas are never that bad).
Everyone will be 100000% trashed at the end of the weekend
Personally, I see no downside to Vegas at all.
South Bend
Pros:
./...... ..... .... sorry... thought it sucked big time as a location last time.
Cons:
Location was not great. No restaurants, one venue, nothing else to do in the city. Nearly everyone had to fly in, and then rent a car. Gaah.
Begging... not again.
New Orleans
Pros: Meebbee. Let's see... uh...drinking (for those that embib), but then again, that can be done anywhere.
Lots of history in the area, sightseeing possibilities.
Cons: Again, a good chunk need to fly in.
I'm not familiar enough with the city to know any other pros or cons to it.
Wish list:
Hawaii... if you are gonna make people fly... why the hell not.
(if ya host in LA, Drew, I've got experience in hosting events in the city, and would be happy to assist)
