Re: Kansas Fest

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Tom Zuchowski writes ...

> .... 
> Well, the big plusses for the present location of Kfest is that it's cheap,
> centrally located geographically, gives us an entire dorm building that we
> =own= for the duration of the conference, and is of historical
> significance. You lose at least three of those if you move it anywhere
> else. To top it off, Kfest is put on by volunteers who do not make one cent
> off of it; this makes it more attractive to continue to use existing
> measures that are already known.
> 
> There was a big push to move it to Chicago a few years ago (being pushed by
> Chicago residents, naturally <g>). It pretty much preserves or even
> enhances the central location as far as air travel is concerned, too. But
> it was shaking out that nobody was quite sure where to put it that would
> work out for lodging and meeting  and socializing facilities. Those are
> major wrinkles that must be resolved if it is ever moved.
> 

     Just about everyone would like to have the Fest moved to a nearby 
location. Europeans would prefer an "Amsterdam Fest", Australians would like 
a "Sidney Fest", etc..

     It would, one observes, be easy to stage the Fest in Houston, Texas. 
Rice's college dorms are nearly empty during the summer and there are lots of 
neat 'bunkers' and maze-like runs for staging balloon fights. A nice plus is 
that Galveston's beaches are just 45 minutes away via the Gulf Freeway. No 
doubt, the local Apple group would be happy to handle reservations, 
programming, etc..

     On the other hand, Kansas Fest has become a tradition; and, traditions 
are important. This is why the notion of excluding or not welcoming any Apple 
II personality because he or she might be unpopular with a few other Apple II 
personalities is so objectionable. As far as flame wars and other such 
contentions are concerned, the Fest should be 'neutral ground'.

     Cindy and the other Kansas Fest people have, evidently, done a good job 
of handling the event in the past. Certainly, Steve Buggie's II Alive report 
of KF '96 describes an interesting, fun experience.

     If the Fest's current managers can get their act together, uphold 
tradition, and stage an event which welcomes all II users, then, it is 
probably just as well to stick with Kansas. Besides, what better place for an 
Apple II gathering than the well-known 'jumping off' point for Oz?!
            
 
Rubywand