[Sharpie]

Well, to answer a few questions:

San Fran was my #1 choice and has been for some time. I sent out several RFPs. It seems that most of the smaller hotels don't have space (they want to send you to the convention center) and the large hotels talk about 'marrying us with another group. Have already been there and done that too many times. It is too much pressure and lack of little privacy to ' marry with another group. Finally gave up.

The #4 choice was Atlantic City. The drawbacks were: no direct flights - making airfare higher, no conventions on weekends - would have to take weekdays, anything in the same chain (don't remember what name now they keep buying each other out - but are the major ones now there) won't allow an Adult convention. Many did not even answer. Too many remember the East Coast Video Show in it's heyday & want to raise prices for an Adult convention. Too much damage done.

Somewhere along there, Boston was also in consideration for awhile. Also Austin Texas, and Chicago.

Most of the North East Coast is very expensive, and I am not talking about just rooms - other show related costs are all very high.

and Tampa is nothing like Miami - totally different in many ways. Not only further North, both the people and the coastline on the West side of Florida are different. We have posted on several boards & I thought the first critisim would be 2 shows in Florida - but you were the first to mention it.

Our size show has many problems in hotel selection. We are not large enough to contract for all the rooms in most hotels & not the type of show to co-exhist with other shows. We do need space requirements that most smaller hotels don't have. Outside areas are starting to get more important for shows. We have too many smokers & people don't want to have to stay inside all the time. They want courtyards & outside areas. The majority of hotels don't have that to offer. You almost have to choose a resort for any outside areas to conregate.

So, if anyone has the right kind of hotel in another location that would have us & that meets our criteria - we would love to check into it. There is a lot more to it than just choosing a city.