LIVE from Austin: The third annual Netroots Nation comes to a close
I'm sitting in Exhibit Hall Four here at the Austin Convention Center for the final session of Netroots Nation - the Bloggers' Brunch, an annual tradition where attendees can make suggestions and ask questions of a panel of convention staff and bloggers from across the community.
Concerns ranged from the quality of the meals (the brunch, for instance, consisted of juice and muffins only) how to increase traffic in the Exhibition Hall, creating better panels, strengthening diversity by bringing more people in through scholarships, and involving more people from the host city in the convention.
I didn't go to the microphone to make a suggestion, but I'd like to see a more intimate setting in the keynote room next year. Exhibit Hall 4 was too cavernous, with a gigantic open space in the back that was largely dark and void of anything, even furniture. It was just empty space. It would be good to go back to the type of setting we had in Chicago and Las Vegas, with appetizers being served during the evening keynotes, more lighting, and decor to create a cheery atmosphere.
I also hope the convention organizers pick a hotel for Pittsburgh that won't endlessly nickel-and-dime us like the Austin Hilton did.
Every service from the hotel cost money. Higher room fees to access the lounge with the free continental breakfast, fifteen dollars to use the pool and spa, three dollars to receive a package, a dollar and fifty five cents for a color copy, three dollars for a can of soda from the mini-bar that's installed in every room...it just gets really old. Money is tight in this community. We should be able to find a hotel that will provide some basic amenities for free.
The one thing I really appreciated about Austin was the walkability downtown. I was able to walk to all of the parties at bars like the Cedar Door, Maggie Mae's, Club de Ville, or Black and Tan, unlike in Chicago, where we were at least a dozen minutes away from downtown and many of the better eateries.
Concerns ranged from the quality of the meals (the brunch, for instance, consisted of juice and muffins only) how to increase traffic in the Exhibition Hall, creating better panels, strengthening diversity by bringing more people in through scholarships, and involving more people from the host city in the convention.
I didn't go to the microphone to make a suggestion, but I'd like to see a more intimate setting in the keynote room next year. Exhibit Hall 4 was too cavernous, with a gigantic open space in the back that was largely dark and void of anything, even furniture. It was just empty space. It would be good to go back to the type of setting we had in Chicago and Las Vegas, with appetizers being served during the evening keynotes, more lighting, and decor to create a cheery atmosphere.
I also hope the convention organizers pick a hotel for Pittsburgh that won't endlessly nickel-and-dime us like the Austin Hilton did.
Every service from the hotel cost money. Higher room fees to access the lounge with the free continental breakfast, fifteen dollars to use the pool and spa, three dollars to receive a package, a dollar and fifty five cents for a color copy, three dollars for a can of soda from the mini-bar that's installed in every room...it just gets really old. Money is tight in this community. We should be able to find a hotel that will provide some basic amenities for free.
The one thing I really appreciated about Austin was the walkability downtown. I was able to walk to all of the parties at bars like the Cedar Door, Maggie Mae's, Club de Ville, or Black and Tan, unlike in Chicago, where we were at least a dozen minutes away from downtown and many of the better eateries.
# Posted by Andrew : 10:21 AM
Comments:
No kidding?
I must have innocently snuck in to the pool then!
I'm glad I did!!
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