A longer version of what we are working on to make the U2 Conference happen is in this recent post.

The Reader’s Digest version goes like this:

• If your university, company, foundation or organization would like to say, “The U2 Conference is brought to you by US,” please contact us soon with your offer.  We are looking for the final amount of funding needed to make this a great (and affordable) event.  When we find the right fit, we’ll work with you to make sure you are glad you made the U2 Conference possible.

• The cost of developing the conference has already been expended, as has much of the cost of advertising it.  We are looking for conference facilities and some remaining funding to actually hold the event.  It is a very real possibility that a new hosting institution could recover most or all of its expenditure.

• Having the conference in or near a major North American city boosts the possibility of having a sold-out conference, as does timing it to coincide with a tour stop on U2’s 360° Tour this fall.  U2’s tour dates (as of today) are here, and for your reference the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau’s report on U.S. population density is here.

If your university, company, foundation or organization is interested in submitting a proposal for having the U2 conference and needs more details, please contact us soon.

Thanks,

The U2 Conference Team

We are starting the work of finding a new place, a new time and a new home for the the U2 conference.  A new home, you say? Yes, that’s right. Our original supporting institution is no longer with us due to their own economic uncertainties. All the details of canceling the conference for this May in New York City are completed and now we can head in a new direction.

We are looking for a new underwriter (or underwriters) and we are sure there are universities, companies and organizations who would like to support the U2 conference and reach an audience of U2 fans, academic professionals, media and entertainment professionals, and those working in sectors of society that have regular interaction with social action/awareness organizations, faith-based organizations, and cultural engagement initiatives.

It is kind of a door closing/door opening moment for us, but we have this unexpected freedom to shoot for an all-around better situation for having this first-ever U2 conference. The makings of a great conference are still in place; nearly all the work is done for drafting the program; and we are sure we can make this a more affordable experience for everyone.

If you would like to bring the U2 conference to your area, please speak up now! We are listening to ideas and offers from universities, organizations and cities. A few organizations have already sent proposals for having the conference in a specific city or on their campus, but it’s not really until just now that we are able to start working on re-scheduling the conference.

We could have the conference on a university campus, but anywhere that has conference facilities and nearby lodging options would work. We would like to be in or near a major U.S. city and we are keeping an eye on U2’s touring schedule for the North American leg this fall. (Note: Several U.S. cities are still only rumored tour stops. You can keep checking the previous link to see all the confirmed cities and dates, and keep in mind it is likely that U2 will come back to the U.S. in 2010.)

Please use our contact form to share your offer with us.  Then, we can start a conversation with you as we explore your ideas for hosting or underwriting the conference.

Thanks in advance,

The U2 Conference Team