HOPE Forums

That would be a shame... the conference could always be moved to Las Vegas, Chicago or something of the sort though. While its not as convenient to setup, it might draw an even larger crowd

It would be a mistake to hold the conference anywhere other than NYC.

Is there no other hotel that would be willing to host HOPE? NYC is a big place with lots of hotel, with lots of conferences, why can't 2600 find a different place? I understand you have a history at this hotel but it would be better to look for a new place then to not have the con at all.

lexicon wrote:

Can we rent a warehouse in Brooklyn for a week and tell people to find their own lodgings if they don't want to bring a sleeping bag? Hackstock.

Good idea Lex.   But there must be somewhere in NYC thats cheap enough for us to spend 3 days there.

Last edited by number-301 (2007-01-17 23:57:00)

number-301 wrote:

lexicon wrote:

Can we rent a warehouse in Brooklyn for a week and tell people to find their own lodgings if they don't want to bring a sleeping bag? Hackstock.

Good idea Lex.   But there must be somewhere in NYC thats cheap enough for us top spend 3 days there.

Just for kicks, I actually looked around for good deals at hotels very nearby Hotel Penn. and found a really comparable one for the almost exact price/night, maybe slightly more (I'll have to figure out which it was)-

My point is, room rates won't be the only issue. Actually agreeing to host a 'Hacker' conference, (stigma, etc.) as well as total cost of conference overhead (providing space, etc.) will be big factors.  Emmanuel has built up a wonderful working reputation with Hotel Penn. and finding a hotel in Manhattan that would agree to hosting it *and* provide reasonable rates, etc. is the real challenge.

Emmanuel, do any of the "head honchos" at Hotel Penn. have any strong connections (think either Italian, Masonic, Frat. bros., or all three!) with any other hotels in town (i.e. a "sister" hotel).  The point being to try and leverage the reputation you have built up after a staggering *6* conferences there! 

Anyways, it's not like HOPE attendees misbehaved and caused the hotel to kick/ban us. (like possibly another hacker conference? seems like there is a con in vegas that had that happen...

I want to call the next conference HOPE Number Eight, and tell everyone about the wonderful time they missed at #7.

It should NOT be called the last hope (at least not seriously)... It might be kind of funny to call it the final hope, and then keep having them afterwards... kind of like barbara streisand's farewell tours though...

Last edited by ghelix (2007-01-18 05:32:34)

ghelix wrote:

Just for kicks, I actually looked around for good deals at hotels very nearby Hotel Penn. and found a really comparable one for the almost exact price/night, maybe slightly more (I'll have to figure out which it was)-

My point is, room rates won't be the only issue. Actually agreeing to host a 'Hacker' conference, (stigma, etc.) as well as total cost of conference overhead (providing space, etc.) will be big factors.  Emmanuel has built up a wonderful working reputation with Hotel Penn. and finding a hotel in Manhattan that would agree to hosting it *and* provide reasonable rates, etc. is the real challenge.

Emmanuel, do any of the "head honchos" at Hotel Penn. have any strong connections (think either Italian, Masonic, Frat. bros., or all three!) with any other hotels in town (i.e. a "sister" hotel).  The point being to try and leverage the reputation you have built up after a staggering *6* conferences there! 

Anyways, it's not like HOPE attendees misbehaved and caused the hotel to kick/ban us. (like possibly another hacker conference? seems like there is a con in vegas that had that happen...

That's the thing. Over the years we've become a really valued member of the Hotel Penn community and since our attendees and security people have been so great over the years, they really look forward to our conferences and have told me we're one of the most well-behaved conferences they host. That's something we should all take pride in and it shows why HOPE is so special. But to get to that stage from scratch with a new place will involve dealing with all the misconceptions about hackers all over again. And even if we do manage that, would we find a place with the huge amount of space we need? At a price we could afford? Personally I don't think it's likely but we're still going to try like hell to find something should it come to that. I just hope it doesn't.

Rob T Firefly wrote:

I say we call it "HOPE Se7en."  The closing ceremonies will end with Emmanuel catching a serial killer he's been obsessing over all con, who hands him a severed head in a box.. and the owner of that severed head will be the winner of the grand door prize.

Now that I have something to look forward to, this just HAS to happen.

arseny wrote:

"iHope Version 7.0"

Nice

Is philadelphia an option?

I'm not sure how much the convention center would cost to rent out but the rooms are huge.

xoom wrote:

Is philadelphia an option?

I'm not sure how much the convention center would cost to rent out but the rooms are huge.

I believe firmly that HOPE is a New York thing but Philly is the most easily reached nearby city. If anyone wants to research prices in other places, I'm all for it.