I personally think that keeping it so far south ultimately hurts turnout possibility. Knoxville is probably way far for alot of people to consider, I feel. I see alot of the southerners claiming that its best there, but the fact is that we have alot of Canadian members to consider as well us up north. If we are to be objective, one must consider all who would like to attend instead of mere convenience. If we were all game to drive a bit, we could get more people together and that's what it is about, right? Establishing goodwill is one thing, but anybody will accomodate you if you pay your bill. I personally like Jared's idea of Philly or Atlantic City. Most of us are old enough to gamble and we could have a blast. AC is a major hub for conventions and events and planning wouldn't be too bad. I would also be willing to help out for sure, being that my girl would jump at any chance to spend a few days there. I'm not saying it because of convenience either because I am still many hours away myself. Hell, if it was planned right, there might even be another good show at the time that we could all go to. If I was to be selfish I would say NYC (which I am still 5 hours from as well) and that is the home to The World of Nintendo. Bring it north and more will show. That's my 2 cents.

goodwill in the business sense means an intangible "following" you have, it's generated largely by word-of-mouth. A reputation. Essentially, if we hold it there in the same town, same place, same date, same promotion, we can expect a draw of a magnitude greater than what we already had, simply because of the work we laid out this year. Those who had fun will return, with those they've told the Expo about.

Just to clarify what I meant, sorry

I like a lot of the points raised so far. Chicago is certainly on our radar, but we're considering all possibilities and there have been a few other very good ideas for locations already...

I respect that, but it just seems like it would become that same family vacation that your parents refuse to change. Why go to the Carribbean when we could go to Cape Cod for the 150th time, right? That intangible following could potentially grow much larger if you stepped into new territory. If they are such a devoted following, why wouldn't they travel?

As a central location, anyone in Kansas City? That's not *that* far from the East Coast, or Chicago, or Dallas, or wherever. It would be most painful to places like FL, NY, WA, SoCAL, but at least it wouldn't be totally insane for a west-coaster to consider.

Jason's suggestion of Gatlinburg sounds like an excellent idea. That's where my vote goes! It's still a helluva trip for a lot of the country (myself included), but having visited both places at one point or another, Gatlinburg is much cooler

That's funny, I actually drove into Gatlinburg the same day. I'm all for that, I'll just get a cabin and I'm set.

I am in Columbia, MO which is about 2 hours away from KC.  I am not very familar with KC as I am STL.  If you guys want an Expo in MO, Columbia is right in between KC and STL.  Lots of goods spots for an expo here. 

This is a good point, the expo will magnetically draw those Knoxville attendees who really loved it, but the further away we stray from that location, the fewer will make the trek. I'm sure it would look hyperbolic if it were something measurable.

Same here, though if it's somewhere like Chicago I'll have to leave days in advance, or buy something that will top 60 mph.

Dude O_S_G is the wildcard here. That outstanding man took an 18 bus ride to Knoxville Tennessee. Nobody has an excuse now.

Chicago is good with me..............

MLN - Can I stay a few weeks late and catch a Bears game?? I can go to work with you, I make a mean sandwich....look at me!!!

i would be able to go if it were in chicago too. im sure none of us in wisconsin would miss if it were that close!

Hells yeah man.

I'll put you to work.

Chicago is the way to go people. Trust me.

MLN'er

I am not a specimen which ought to be used as an example of how to live.

Well, hopefully I didn't come off as selfish with this request.
I'd support it in Chicago, as long as it's near the original time. Keeping it near the original time wouldn't be a problem as many as I can see so far had no problem with it. Well, it boils down to your decision. (I approve of Gatlinburg, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chicago)

It is most likely going to remain a Southern show, which is what we wanted when we started. I think Gatlinburg or Atlanta are the most likely choices at this point...
~~NGD

I'm in for Chicago.....only 3 hours from me. Knoxville was around 12 hours so I couldn't make it

I think it should stay in the South. There are no shows in the South at all. It just needs to be in a bigger city near a bigger airport. Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville all make a heck of a lot more sense.

There doesn't need to be anything else in Philadelphia or Jersey. DO you guys realize there is already the VGXPO up there as well as MONTHLY NAVA events at the Digital Press store?

It also boils down to cost and things to do in the city. Cost is cheaper in the South, and as much as I love Chicago, it will get you numbers, there are TONS of collectors in Wisconsin and Illinois, but the cost of renting out a convention hall there compared to cities in the SOuth is crazy!

Tons of collectors in WI? Where?

what about NY alot of people could attend it then, its close to the canadain border where alot of us live. and theres alot of states around it

I'm surprised no one has mentioned boston area yet.

I don't think we can afford the hotels up there, man! My wife and I were thinking about vacationing up there, but we couldn't even afford a weeknight room 2.5 stars in the surrounding area. Ludicrous.

There's a ton of collectors in Illinois, I'm sure, but you're way off on the Wisconsin part There's like 8 of us total, and 5 are members here already. NOFRIENDO has claimed Madison as his own, nes_king and I have split up Milwaukee, bongoben has the Western part of the state, and NES_HERBALIST gets everything to the North. That's it! Wisconsin can physically handle no more collectors than that! We just don't have the used market infrastructure in place, ask any of us. It's online or bust for NES collectors up here!