All I can tell you about Expo locations is that there are so many issues you can't even imagine. The contracts must be signed literally 6 years in advance. It is a monster task balancing availability, size, entertainment, hotel rooms, needs of the vendors, needs of the attendees, classrooms.................Please remember we are volunteers and that we really do the best we can to make Expo great. Thank you very much for attending. Expo would suck without you. Jeff

I am very appreciative of the many, many people in our industry that give their time to CEDIA. Without them we would have no expo and no association. CEDIA brings us a great expo, unlike any other in any other industry. We are very fortunate. The key to this association is how much we get from each other and this expo helps bring us together. I would not miss it, no matter what city our association chooses to host the event.

I must admit that one of the reasons I don't make Cedia a priority is the host city. I realize this is about business, not pleasure but taking the SO and turning it into a partially paid vacation would be a nice perk.

OK, first choice - Vegas - hands down.

Second choice - Chicago (summertime only) a great city with culture that matches NYC without most of the hassle.

Choice #3 - New Orleans. Bourbon Street at night is outa sight!

Fourth choice - Orlando - as long as you get to stay a few extra days to enjoy a few of the attractions.

Bringing up the rear - San Francisco - A fun town, but reserve a few extra days to hit wine country.

Least favorite - Gary Indiana. Bring your own gun.

Better than all the above, but will never happen (in no particular order):

Cruise ship
Milan, Italy
Costa Rica
Key West
Paradise Island
Munich, Germany (and into Bavaria)
Hawaii
Sydney

Worse than Gary, Indiana:

Paris (Screw the French!)

Agree? Disagree?

Hey, I'd like to second the cruise ship idea.

I was told last week that EXPO will be in Denver next year.

Since people are discussing where to hold one in the future, how about Montreal. If it was here then I would definitely pop in :), OK there is a bit of self interest, but I genuinely think it would be a good host city.

good exhibition facilities
- there is the palais des congres that is probably the best, it is almost 1.5M ft²

- I now several shows (bridal, home....) take place at the Bonaventure Hilton

- Some (car show....) have taken place at the Olympic stadium in the past.

- not to mention 4 universities

----- the big O is a bit far from the rest, but the rest of the places are a few minutes walk from each other and all can be reached with a few minutes on the Metro (subway)


night life

- last call is at 3:00 AM
- drinking age 18 but not much carding (for any junior CEDIA members)
- many bars, pubs, clubs....... (not to mention the strip clubs)
- lots of bar hopping and many people out side on the street at any time (Montreal is not one of those places where 5 PM rings and the downtown goes dead)


good food

- Many places, many sizes, many prices, many types (ethnic). One of the only places where you cannot really go wrong wherever you eat (my theory is that there are so many restaurants that you definitely need to have something going for you to stay open for any amounting)

- Also a few that are 24h, so that after a night of binge drinking you can get a bite before you go to sleep 9or mount royal to watch the sun rise)

Sights

- I already mentioned the strip clubs :-)

- Generally speaking the women tend to be good looking so just walking on the street you get an eye full (like we like telling people on their first visit here, don't turn your head if you see a good looking women or you might miss the other ones)

- Many touristic sites (old Montreal/old port, mount Royal park, the underground city, tons of museum, botanical garden, biodome.......)

transport

- it is an hour or two flight from Chicago, Toronto, NY
- it is also a couple of hour drive to Ottawa and Quebec city (if someone decides to do the tourist thing)

$$$

- except for the two weeks around the Grand Prix F1, hotel rates tend to be relatively cheap

- a good meal for under 10$ (Canadian) is easy to find ( on the other hand extremely expensive meals can also be found)

- ATMs all over the place

- Most places accept US $

- don't forget the exchange rate
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OK I know I am not a CEDIA member, but I still think it is a nice place for a conference.

PS Cruise sounds like fun, but man that must be one big boat

Great idea, however the main problem is that undoubtedly Bill Gates will find out about it and sink the boat to take us all out while we are on the high sea. This could be the only way for MCE to take over the custom industry.

Yeah, but I don't speak French. Do the hookers speak English?

The Expo will be in Denver in 2006, 2007, 2008

Does Denver even HAVE hookers?

And if so does that count in the "Mile High Club"???

Good point!!!

LOL :)