You can help make the U2 conference happen
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
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I strongly feel keeping it in the New York City area would be the best idea. Lots of fans here and a great trip for out of towners. It could also be close by Manhattan. New Jersey has many facilities just outside NYC by a few miles. The town of Secaucus has the Meadowlands Convention Center which is minutes from Giants Stadium and Manhattan itself. Mmmmm September 24th rings a bell!!!!!! Some band will be at that stadium on that date! There is a convention center further south in Edison, NJ but still not too far from Manhattan. Secaucus is ideal though. There are tons of college campuses there as well. I think you should try NJ and keep it in NYC area. Thanks for taking our suggestions!
Comment by Lisa Zeitlinger — March 20, 2009 @ 5:31 pm
Thanks Lisa! It’s great to see the suggestions coming in already!
Comment by calhouns — March 20, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
The DC-area would be a good idea.
Middle ground for all on the East Coast, at least . . .
Comment by Jennifer — March 20, 2009 @ 7:06 pm
Hey Chicago is one of U2’s favorite places! It’s centrally located in the midwest. And, it has conference sites and educational institutions galore! Enough said.
Comment by Dick Cole — March 20, 2009 @ 10:55 pm
What about Dublin? That makes great sense to me. One reason why New York isn’t such a good idea is the cost of hotels etc.
Why New York anyway? Dublin is geographically and globally central, it is uniquely U2 in spirit, time and place. The facilities are excellent, and it is nearer for european fans, asian fans, african fans, middle eastern fans, and not too bad for (usually richer) american fans.
That’s my view anyhow.
Comment by Kevin Fenton — March 21, 2009 @ 10:29 am
Hi Scott,
With the START of the North American leg of the NLOTH tour being in Chicago, people will be flocking in from all over the world to be a part of this event, even if they don’t have a ticket.
Thus, if the U2 Conference wants to reach U2 fans when they are at their most ENTHUSIASTIC and ay a time when they are more than willing to participate in all things U2, it will be at the START of the North American leg of the tour in Chicago.
Undoubtedly U2 will want to start things off on their North American tour on a positive note, so I would think that there is also an increased possibility of a U2 sighting or two in town around the Conference time, I would think.
NYC will always draw the most people because the most people live in NYC but I think Chicago is a better bet, mainly due to the start of the tour in Chicago.
Plus, it will be easier to get people flying from the West Coast to Chicago. than to the East Coast because of cheaper airfare.
Think about it.
All the Best, debbie
Comment by Debbie K — March 22, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
the conference can not compete with the tour.
fans will spend money on tickets, lodging , airfare,food etc etc .
most are making the trek as a holiday of sorts also. so if i am in Dublin i am going to want to see Dublin , not sit in a conference.
Comment by tony c — March 23, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
although the idea of having the conference in the same corresponding city as the tour is good in theory, i think one must remember that all hotels will be sold out already due to the gig. it may be difficult to find rooms.
also, i know, from experience that, when U2 is in town that hotels jack their price up making it more unaffordable for people to stay.
good luck!
Comment by marie — March 30, 2009 @ 9:26 pm
Thanks for those good points, Marie. We don’t want anyone to think the conference *has* to be the same weekend as a tour stop. That is a reality about hotel prices going up when U2 is in town.
Comment by Scott — March 31, 2009 @ 12:44 am
There have already been a lot of good and viable ideas posted here. A thought came to me over the weekend- if it’s not possible to keep the conference in NYC, which would be my first vote, what about New Orleans? It is a great city infused with such culture and music, in need of ongoing financial and other kinds of support post-Katrina, there are good conference facilities and lodging (I have been there several times, for conferences and other reasons both pre and post-Katrina), and an influx of U2 conference attendees would certainly be a boon to the tourist economy there. Plus, there is the connection to Edge’s Music Rising organization and efforts to help the musicians of New Orleans keep their livelihoods and vital societal contibutions alive and well since losing so much including their instruments to the hurricane…seems like a win-win combination to me! It is a large and cosmopolitan city with so much to offer culturally to conference attendees from overseas…and it may even offer socially-minded conference attendees volunteer opportunities during their stay to help with the ongoing rebuilding efforts. I know the goal is to make the conference coincide with a U2 360 Degree tour stop, but I agree with someone who posted above that the conference cannot compete with the tour and maybe it is better not to try? Just some thoughts to offer for consideration. Thanks!
Comment by Rachel E. Seiler — April 20, 2009 @ 5:51 pm
P.S. to the comment above- while a fall conference in new Orleans may be dicey due to hurricane season, a spring 2010 conference would be ideal- and it may give those of us with little remaining leave time from work more time to make arrangements to be present at the conference, whereas if the conference goes forward for the fall 2009 we may be trying to juggle work responsibilities with little remaining vacation time to use to go to the conference. That is certainly my situation. Just some more thoughts
Comment by Rachel E. Seiler — April 22, 2009 @ 3:40 pm