GIP and travel

[threeplusfire]

I didn't realize, but apparently there's mild hysteria in some sections of the fandom about Phoenix Rising being held in New Orleans and the idea that some other hurricane will come along to destroy the city again. *eye roll* Would this be an issue if the convention was in Florida? Would we be worrying about terrorism attacks if it was in NYC? Would we be worrying about earthquakes in California? Or even hurricane damage if this was being held in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas? No. We wouldn't. The only reason people are talking about this is because of the media nightmare in terms of what picture if presented of New Orleans, and the media coverage of Katrina.

Point the first - this convention is taking place in May, which is not hurricane season.

Point the second - the convention events are all occuring in central areas of the city where city services are fully functional.

Point the third - many other conventions have already been held in New Orleans post Katrina, and more are scheduled to happen even this fall.

Comments

[calledmara.livejournal.com]

The American Library Association meeting was the first post-Katrina conference to happen in the city. It was scheduled well before the hurricane and the ALA felt it was important to keep it there. I couldn't go, but all the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. New Orleanians were incredibly grateful and happy that the librarians were supporting their city's rebirth.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

At least on my person on my LJ list went to that, and I know Neil Gaiman was there extolling the virtues of the city. Yay ALA.