Re: [boost] BoostCon 2011 Location

Subject: Re: [boost] BoostCon 2011 Location
From: Stewart, Robert (Robert.Stewart_at_[hidden])
Date: 2010-05-19 11:11:24

Rene Rivera wrote:
> On 5/18/2010 7:12 PM, David Abrahams wrote:
> > Rene Rivera wrote:
> >> On 5/18/2010 4:50 PM, Stefan Seefeld wrote:
> >>> On 05/18/2010 05:35 PM, Nelson, Erik - 2 wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Anyway, I'm just curious what people think about Aspen or
> >>>> alternatives for a BoostCon venue.
> >
> > Every year at BoostCon we discuss this.  I don't think
> > there's enough
> > interest-among those that actually show up-in exploring other
> > locations to make alternatives practical.
>
> Calling you out on this.. That makes for a biased assessment
> because the people that would most likely want to have it some
> place other than Aspen are likely not to show up at Aspen.

I thought of the same issue when I first read Dave's response, but I was considering how to respond.

> Even if I've wanted to, I haven't been able to attend because
> of financial constraints.

I've been fortunate to get the backing of my employer, so the cost is not a burden to them as it would be if I had to foot the bill myself.

> And if it where half the cost, I would almost certainly attend.
> And I suspect many others would too. And hence we might see
> more than a doubling of attendance.

That alone precludes the current site; we can't handle many more attending given space constraints.

> > I know I'm not much interested in holding BoostCon anywhere
> > in the US other than Aspen, because
> >
> >    1. atmosphere counts, and the conference just wouldn't
> >       be the same anywhere else.
>
> Which assumes you can't get a similar atmosphere some place
> else. Note I don't consider the scenery the same as the
> atmosphere ;-)

There's a lot to be said for the location.  When not entirely engrossed by the week's activities, it was wonderful to get outside and enjoy the fresh mountain air and take in the scenery.  I spent many hours doing just that.

The relative proximity of downtown Aspen -- ready walking distance for most -- was helpful as it afforded a reasonable selection of restaurants and cafes for lunch and dinner.  However, many of us found so little time available this year to devote to conference activities that we often sought the hotel shuttle or private vehicles to reduce transit time to and from meals.  Consequently, any other pleasant location with nearby eating (and drinking, for many) establishments, even if beyond comfortable walking distance, would suffice, I think.

> >    2. at this point, BoostCon pretty much goes off without
> >       a hitch and I don't want to figure out how to do it
> >       again in different circumstances.
>
> That is certainly a big factor in staying at Aspen.

Agreed.

> OK, perhaps a poll is in order at this point. I'll set one up
> for people to fill out.. Do people have suggestions as to good
> places to consider for holding some future BoostCon at? My
> shorts list is:
>
> * New York
> * New Jersey
> * Toronto
> * Chicago

Perhaps we should discuss requirements in a little more detail before suggesting locations.

Supposing twice as many would attend if the cost were half this year's, then there must be room for nearly 200 in a single auditorium, plus at least one other room capable of holding half that many to account for at least two simultaneous tracks and the keynote.  With that number of attendees, it isn't unreasonable to think of three or four tracks (one for tutorials on Boost libraries, for example).

Each meeting room must have (augmented no doubt) provision for electrical outlets for one portable computer per attendee.

Each meeting room must have a projector and screen with signal support for PCs and Macs.

Each meeting room must have tables and chairs or school auditorium-style student seats with integrated desktops to support notebooks (the paper kind as well as the electronic kind!) and laptops.

The Physics Center has been extremely valuable simply due to the access to various work rooms with desks/tables, chairs, and whiteboards or chalkboards.

The meeting rooms, work rooms, and hotel rooms must have good wireless and, optionally, wired Internet access for PCs and Macs.

We have had a picnic each year, just for fun and networking.  That requires access to grills, picnic tables, etc.

The hotel rooms have often been the location for collaboration, too, so something more than the smallest would be useful.

There may well be other requirements I've missed, but any proposed location must be rather specific about the venue in order that it can be known to supply these requirements and so cost can be assessed.  Just mentioning a city seems insufficient.

_____
Rob Stewart                           robert.stewart_at_[hidden]
Software Engineer, Core Software      using std::disclaimer;
Susquehanna International Group, LLP  http://www.sig.com

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