[PSA MEMBERS] Python Conferences

[Ivan Van Laningham]

Hi All--

Jeff Rush wrote:
> 

[snip]

> I'm a self-employed consultant and always pay my own way, and
> the conference fees I see run from $300 - $800.  I consider those
> a real bargain, because the airfare, hotel and lost billing time are
> the much larger portions of attending, for me.  The -location- of
> the conference, and duration, is more important, therefore, than
> the attendance fees.
> 
> I don't see how your wife could attend ten conferences for one
> Python conference -- ten plane tickets and hotel nights has got
> to cost more than one Python con.
> 

I'm sorry, I didn't make that clear, did I?  I was *only* considering
the conference fees--her fees seem to be in the $40 range, and I
estimated one Python con at $400, which is less than I paid last year at
IPC7.  But of course 10 travel/lodging expenditures costs more than
one;-)
 
> And for the international among us (not me), travel expenses
> must be much higher still.
> 

Well, I agree that even the high fees for Python conferences *are* worth
it.  I had a blast at IPC7, and I can afford those fees.  I would not be
able to attend Monterey, though, if I weren't doing a talk.  And that
makes me wonder how many others are in the same boat as I am. ...  And
as far as international conferences go, I would not be able to attend
conferences outside continental North America, on a cost basis alone.

I'm sorry to be such a grump; it's just that I think if fees were lower
it might attract interesting contributors and fresh young minds to
Python cons, and that would be good for Python.  But maybe you're right,
the flight/hotel may well outweigh the fees.

> -squinting-at-the-bigger-picture-ly-yours

<how-can-we-squint-when-we-can-fly>-ly y'rs,
Ivan
----------------------------------------------
Ivan Van Laningham
Callware Technologies, Inc.
ivanlan at callware.com
ivanlan at home.com
http://www.pauahtun.org
See also: 
http://www.foretec.com/python/workshops/1998-11/proceedings.html
Army Signal Corps:  Cu Chi, Class of '70
----------------------------------------------