h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

First, I want to say that I think the idea of having two London meets a year is a good one. But at the risk of being branded a heretic, I have a question. Why do they have to be winter and summer - January and July?

I've been thinking about the conversation on ways to boost attendance. Maybe the problem isn't the format or the venue at all. Maybe it is the timing.

January finds a lot of people strapped for cash and trying to recover from the holidays. Many people travel over Christmas and may not feel like making a trip into London so soon. Also, the weather is unreliable in January and some sightseeing places in the country are closed. I found this out when looking for interesting places to visit in Kent.

July is the height of the family holiday season. Researchers with families are very likely planning summer holidays and might not be able to fit in a London Meet. Instead of the weather being cold and miserable it could easily be hot and miserable. Also airlines and hotels charge more in July because they can get away with it.

So, how about spring and autumn instead of winter and summer? April and October, for example. Better weather and not as many conflicts. Also more people are at home since the kids are in school.

Just a thought.

*hides behind her desk to avoid the s*

Let's have four Meets a year instead, and I also propose that at least three of the London Meets should be held in Devon

Seriously though, it makes sense to me, if the school holidays around Easter could be avoided.

I just posted this over on Ask, since I didn't know if everyone would see it here. Hope I don't get blasted for spamming.

Agreed. Avoiding easter would be necessary.

seems you made a great point; Having been reading though not necessarily contributing much to the thread on ask about the dates (I don't ever want to be seen to be dicating how/when/where the meets are, I see my role as facilitating getting into place what the majority of the HOoToo community want for the meets), So I'm about to set up the page to organise the first 'October' meet, which will be a good trial of having differnt dates for th emeet; I'm a tadge concerned it might e a little close to the meet just gone for some, but best to be getting it underway now i recon