Talk:WikiConference UK 2013/Venue Shortlist

It's down to numbers?

The two venues here differ on a lot of details, and they'd both be great locations, but one thing stands out for me:

• Lincoln: "Conference suite seats 81 max."
• Manchester: "Conference Theatre can seat up to 100 ... Minimum number of delegates is 80 or even slightly less"

If we're going to have <80 people, Lincoln wins; if we're going to have 80-100, Manchester wins. Everything else seems to be a bit secondary to the numbers issue!

Given this, I'd recommend Lincoln; I don't know what estimated turnout is, but I'd make a small bet on it being closer to 50 than 100. Andrew Gray (talk) 12:53, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

This is my thinking to. If the argument is we need to accommodate potentially all of our members then neither venue is enough - but as with the 2012 AGM there was nowhere near the number expected. With those aside Lincoln (disclaimer: that is my "bid", so I am a little biased) has a number of interesting things in its favour; lovely little city, a prime target for a Sunday Wiki-edithathon/photography/tour event, two on-the-ground Wikipedians (myself and KTC), etc. --ErrantX (talk) 17:16, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Accommodation

Was there any consideration of accommodation location/prices? Lincoln looks like 8 hours of round-trip for me, which I would not be prepared to in one day and be expected to stay concious in the AGM itself. --Fæ (talk) 17:54, 17 October 2012 (UTC)

Yep! For us when reviewing Lincoln it was one of the key considerations. A Premier Inn is being built about 10 minutes (max) walk from the venue (completed in the next few months :)). Within twenty five minutes walk there is an Ibis (on the Brayford, a lovely place) and also a hostel. It's cheap, for a city, ranging from £30-100 per night. Also; I believe the university term will be over by then so if there is demand we may be able to negotiate accommodation with them. Travel is a consideration - but it is roughly the same time to get from London to both Manchester and Lincoln. Beyond that it much depends on where everyone else is coming from. (I should add; travel/accommodation is a key consideration for Lincoln as we'd like to offer a second day of activities on the Sunday) --ErrantX (talk) 18:37, 17 October 2012 (UTC)