I would like to see a map showing the distribution of professional Python programmers across the US. Either a) the conference is supposed to double as a vacation to Florida, or b) there are more southern and east coast Python coders than I know about and this location is actually convenient for most of them.
It makes me sad that I would have to go to Florida just to attend this thing.
Then every conference should be in your backyard right? (I take you live in the bay area). I find your opinion very selfish. You guys have conferences all the time, we (I live in Miami), never. Having this conference in my backyard is cool because I'd get to meet more programmers (I'm being selfish too).
Sure, maybe we are both being selfish. But even if we take our selves out of it, I think it is better for the conference overall if more professional programmers can attend -- which is an argument to make it easier for the most programmers to go.
Well, there are other options on the East Coast. RTP, for example has a fairly large tech scene, but doesn't host many large tech conferences. And it's within driving distance of Miami.
As someone who lived 2 miles from the Cisco and NetApp campuses in RTP for over 10 years and now lives in SW Florida, Miami is not "driving distance." I live on the quiet side of Florida and will definitely be interested in this conference. Maybe I'm not the usual techy conference type but I have no desire to travel to California(for any reason) or to a typical conference location such as Las Vegas. I spend about 3-5 months traveling abroad every year and the West Coast of the US just doesn't do it for me. I appreciate the conference organizers for choosing a different area.
Well, as someone who goes to NCSU, I plan on driving it at least :-)
Miami is only close for people living in Florida is more my issue. NC is pretty close to centered along the east coast, has a fairly large tech hub and doesn't get many conferences. Then again, I am slightly biased in the respect that I'd like it closer as well.
the vast majority of conferences we get here in Miami are for at least some part due to the weather being nice here vs snowy elsewhere. October isn't super cold in most places yet, but its very pleasant here in Miami. That being said, many medical or other high-end (cost wise/market wise) conferences go to vacation spots so their employees can double up and work then play.
Coming to florida isn't a punishment for most people.
We chose Miami because it is on the East Coast putting it in the middle of travel for West Coast US, East Coast US, and European travelers. Miami was chosen specifically because it doesn't have the weather issues that arise in the back portion of the year that are part and parcel of living on the East Coast. It could be 100 deg or 3 ft of snow, it is anyone's guess for most cities capable of hosting a conference in fall. Miami was also chosen because it is not the "goto" place for conferences so it will be an experience, which is what we are working at setting up. Also the fact that it is not just a commuter event means that those attending will be there for all of the social events without the strong urge to run home for the evening.
As for differentiation, we love what the PSF is doing with PyCon. Our target is a smaller, tighter focused, more intimate experience. From top to bottom the event is focused on showcasing where things are going within Python, so talks will be far more "risky" and "futuristic" than the average PyCon talk. To clarify, this is not a dig on PyCon, just a differentiation point - both formats are needed. The conference itself will have a more social feel about it than other conferences with fully planned out schedule including evening social events (see CodeConf or JSConf for models). Also with PyCon 2012 moving west, PyCodeConf is a great way to get your Python fix if you are on the East Coast.
PyCon US is funded by, and run by the Python Software Foundation, is over 10 years old, and runs for almost two weeks if you count sprints. pyCodeConf is a different animal entirely.
I say this as the chair of PyCon US for the next two years, I also think that pyCodeConf may be for-profit, but I'm unsure.
I don't mean to derail this thread too much, but it makes me sad to see PyCon move to the west coast. Basically all of the conferences are already there and PycCon was one of the best conferences on the east coast.
Though, to be fair, all of the conferences are their for good reason.
I remember feeling that way when I submitted a successful bid to bring PyCon to Atlanta, GA, having lived in Atlanta and run the Atlanta Python User Group. I believe our main competitor was the Bay Area and we "won". It turns out Atlanta was pretty cool, it had a walkable city, etc.
Now that I live in the Bay Area, I have to admit, I like that it is now in my backyard again :)
Yeah, once I'm done school I in all likeliness will move to the Bay area. Just too much is happening there (well, here. I'm here for the summer) to miss it.
