Just my two cents worth again,
I'd prefer to divorce the conference from a star party as to have the chance of getting away for two astronomy related events in quick succession and having fine weather is just relying on too many holes in the Swiss Cheese to line up!
Also, if you can avoid school holidays on the Gold Coast, I'm sure it would make costs a bit more affordable for both accommodation and conference venues. Might need a straw poll of who would want to go and whether they have young families who might like to combine this with a family holiday over the school holidays??
DT
|