Thread

So - we had such a great time doing the EE training last week that I’d like to get another class on the schedule.

However - we’re about at the end of the good weather here in MI.  The price of admission for all those beach nights with sailboats and sunsets is several months of gray skies and snow.

So - we’re setting about to find a warm place to do the next class, and just wondering if anyone here in the EE community has a good idea on a location.

Time-frame, after factoring in schedules, curriculum work, holidays, etc is realistically going to be January/February 2009.

We’d like to replicate the W. MI USA experience as much as possible, so our working requirements list includes:

- A cool/hip/unusual hotel with a meeting room large enough for ~20 people, wifi, and a projector setup.

- Outdoor temps in the 70 deg and up range.

- Some good non-national-chain restaurants within walking distance.

- Some picturesque local scenery, spots for cookouts/outdoor time.

- At this point, we’re looking to stay in the USA.

We’re starting our search in the New Mexico, Arizona, TX area - but definitely open to other spots as well.

I’ll throw a vote out there for Del Ray Beach, Florida.  It’s a quaint little beach town with lots of character.  It sits south of West Palm Beach, but North of Boca Rotan and Miami.  Awesome restaurants with patios on the main strip (atlantic avenue). There is a Marriot overlooking the ocean on the same strip.

Near or during SxSW in March?

I think it’s be a pretty cool location to do it at a ski resort. For some snowboarding and skiing in the off class time.
But that’s not 70+ temperatures. Maybe next year? 😊

It’s too cold here in Richmond, VA.  I’ll vote for Phoenix, AZ or the Del Ray / West Palm Beach area of Florida (Friends/Family in both places and I’d love to snag a seat in the back of the classroom). 

We will definitely participate in the sponsorship program again should you/EllisLab make the option available.

-Shawn

Charleston, SC. Certainly meets your requirements for picturesque-ness and great restaurants.

Maybe some place like Greenville, SC or Nashville, TN? Or somewhere in Arizona….

Any which way, if it’s in the US, i’m gonna be there.

Mobile, lots of historic hotels in the GRAND sense. Temps will be on the warm side. Lots of restaurants and bars in downtown. 45 min flight from ATL. Seafood is fresh. Hell, I will even buy the first round….

M.

Thanks folks!  I’ll get MsBoyink looking into some of these.

I’ve always heard good things about Savannah, GA too.  With SCAD there, it’s suppose to be pretty artsy.

Just googled this is all:
Scottsdale, AZ - Visitors site

Youtube Promo you might like.

I’ve been to Scottsdale.  It’s very nice, clean and different for us east-coasters.  It was hotter than H**L when I was there.

It looks like the weather in Jan/Feb would be pretty good though:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottsdale,_Arizona#Climate

- At this point, we’re looking to stay in the USA.

I’m still for Switzerland! 😛

I’d *love* to take it outside the US (especially since I’ve never been off the continent). Just let me get another course or two under my belt so I’m really comfortable with the process and teaching side of things.  Once I’m more comfortable with that I’ll have the brain space to think about international travel.