Web Directions North, Vancouver, Canada
One of the countries I’ve always wanted to visit but never have is Canada (unless you count a short refuelling stop at Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto). When I first learned about Web Directions coming to Canada, where it will be called Web Directions North, my first impulse was to register for the conference and book a flight right away.
The line-up of speakers is stellar, and the topics they will cover are very interesting. On top of that, there is an optional post conference skiing trip to Blackcomb Whistler. Being a Swede I’ve done a lot of skiing, so hopefully I would be able to avoid making a fool of myself in the ski slopes.
However, after thinking about it for a while I ended up deciding not to go. There are many factors involved, but the total cost (plane tickets, hotel room, registration, time off from work) is prohibitive. The new ultra-tight airport security doesn’t help either. Now you can’t even bring water onboard, which is a problem for someone like me who drinks lots of water. In fact, the paranoid security and the long flight (15 hours) are my main reasons for not going.
But if you don’t mind long flights, or if you live closer to Vancouver than I do, don’t miss Web Directions North. Oh, it’s February 6-10, 2007.
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Roger Johansson is a Swedish web professional specialising in web standards, accessibility, and usability. More about me and this site.
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Comments
I'm surprised they chose Vancouver given its prohibitive cost of living.
Kim: I don't think they're expecting people to live there. :) Plus, I think deciding on Vancouver probably had to do with adding the skiing. I'd have rathered it was in Toronto, or Montreal or...well, Ottawa, as I'd have been more likely to be able to make the trip.
I still wouldn't mind going but I suspect I'll have to wait until SxSW for the next trip.
You really should reconsider. I can't speak much about the conference, but Vancouver really is a wonderful city. You'll be missing out. As for the water, that's what flight attendants are for. ;)
I live in Victoria, on Vancouver Island, which is not far from Vancouver (the city); indeed, it is just a ferry ride away.
I've wanted to go to other conferences such as SxSW, but the cost would have been too much. But a conference in Vancouver is too good an opportunity to pass up, since it is close to home. I'm registered and waiting to go!
I'm glad to have an event in BC that won't cost a small fortune to attend; unfortunately, if the event were in Toronto or Ottawa, the chance of my going would be almost nil. There are people in Western Canada that like to attend conferecnces close to home!
Hi Roger, I wish you'd reconsider - it would be great to see a friendly face. I signed up and I'm travelling from the UK. As you say, it's a stellar line-up.
You're really missing out, Roger! Canada is a great country to visit.
When it comes to water on the planes... As I've understood it, you can't bring any decent amount through the security check, but once in the Taxfree/departing zone, you can buy as much water as you want to and bring it onto the plane.
My take? You should reconsider. One always regrets what one didn't do, right...?
On the other hand, I still haven't managed to lure you to our Geek Meets in Stockholm, so who am I kidding? I dare you, accessibility boy, I double-dare you!!! ;-)
Jeez mate I'd have to say I'd go for Vancouver alone....my favourite city bar non and Whistler isn't exactly a slouch - to be honest I can't think of a better location!
If I weren't young and poor, I'd love to go, seeing as it is something like a 2-3hr drive from where I live, but I can't.
pr10n: Yeah I guess I could buy water on the plane, so that's a lame excuse. There's still too much money involved for my budget though.
Robert: I've had valid excuses for not coming, believe it or not. I really hope I will be able to make it next time.
It's great to see an event of this caliber in Vancouver, my hometown. I'm almost certainly going to be there.
I live about an hour out of Vancouver, so I thought finally this could be my chance to go to one of these things, but the registration fee is extremely expensive even with the early bird discount!
Scott: I had a similar situation, but in the end, I decided to go. It's such a good opportunity, and even though the attendance is expensive, it's still a lot less than the cost of going to one of the overseas conferences!
If you live close to Vancouver, the situation may be better for you than for others: you could just commute back and forth, and save the cost of the hotel. I'm in Victoria, and will have to pay for a few nights at the hotel on top of the registration - you may be better off in that sense.
The best part of this event is the networking: getting to meet all these people; heck, even just being in the same room as them!
I, too, would like to go to the conference, but flying across the country from Montréal is pretty expensive for me. Perhaps if I do really well over the next few weeks.
I have found an interesting method to deal with the water on planes problem though. Bring an empty bottle through security with you, (should be ok, after all it's not water), and fill it at a water fountain or sink. I have actually done this this fall, since the water crackdown, here in Canada with no problem.
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