FUDCon:Bid for CharlestonSC 2013

Arthur Ravenel Bridge, CC

Location
Charleston, SC, located roughly at the midpoint of the South Carolina coastline, is a city known for its hospitality. It's easily accessible with mild winter weather and an average high in January is 59°F. (Not to mention a near-zero risk of being snowed out of the airport.)

Getting there
The city is easily reached by plane through the Charleston International Airport, or by car via I-26, which connects to the much larger I-95 that stretches north-south along the east coast.

The airport is 12 miles from downtown, a $14 shuttle ride or $25 taxi ride. The Amtrak station is 10 miles from downtown.

Charleston is serviced by most of the major airlines: American, Continental/United, US Air, Delta, Southwest Airlines.

Sample flight prices
Based on searching Kayak 2/28 for round-trip flights departing 1/18/2013 and returning 1/21/2013:


 * LGA/JFK $230
 * BWI $235
 * ORD $368
 * SEA $379
 * BOS $440
 * SFO $522

Possible hotels
Hotels near College of Charleston:

345 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina, 29403, USA 1-843-723-4000
 * Hampton Inn Charleston-Historic District
 * Room capacity: 171
 * Price: $109-149
 * Free Internet
 * Free breakfast

181 Church Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29401, USA 1-843-577-2644
 * DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Charleston - Historic District
 * Room capacity:
 * Price: $169-219
 * Internet $9.95/day


 * Next hotel
 * Room capacity:
 * Price:
 * Internet connectivity:

Public transportation
CARTA, walkability

[add detail]

Event venue
College of Charleston
 * Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Charleston. Everything is within walking distance.
 * Can use facilities for no charge if they are booked through one of the student groups.
 * BarcampCHS worked through the ACM student chapter. Would be useful to get them on board. Also a good source of cheap labour.
 * CofC makes you use their food services company (Aramark). However, there are lots of really good restaurants just a few blocks over.
 * Pretty good wireless coverage.

Citadel? Need a contact who could reserve rooms plus information on:
 * Any charges
 * Options for outside catering
 * Nearby restaurants
 * Internet connectivity

MUSC? Need a contact who could reserve rooms plus information on:
 * Any charges
 * Options for outside catering
 * A few restaurants nearby. More places are a short 10 minute walk away
 * Pretty good wireless coverage on the guest WiFi network.

Volunteers

 * Ruth Suehle (NC resident, frequently visiting Charleston)
 * Russell Bryant (Charleston, SC resident)
 * Eugene Mah (Charleston, SC resident)

Pros

 * Mild weather
 * Easily accessible
 * Lovely location that people would enjoy visiting

Cons

 * Not the largest airport in the world (but not difficult to reach)