A twist for higher ed. folks: what city did you visit for a conference, but didn't really get out much beyond the conference venue(s) and you deeply regret the missed opportunity? (My answer is Nashville, TN. I was in that Gaylord bio-bubble...) - ThreadSky

jonbecker.bsky.social • 79 days ago

A twist for higher ed. folks: what city did you visit for a conference, but didn't really get out much beyond the conference venue(s) and you deeply regret the missed opportunity? (My answer is Nashville, TN. I was in that Gaylord bio-bubble...)

Reposted from actioncookbook

Forget about cities you’ve visited and loved. I want to know what your favorite US city you’ve never been to is. What city exists for you only as a perfect dream unsullied by experience

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psaenz.bsky.social•79 days ago

I presented at a conference in the Atlantis (Bahamas), didn’t even take advantage of the full venue, and ventured out only once.

jonbecker.bsky.social•79 days ago

oof

madamedefargeknits.bsky.social•79 days ago

We stayed at the Gaylord for the eclipse in 2017. They kept trying to teach us how to find our rooms based on the carpet patterns, but I spent most of my time in a Quarterflash video. https://youtu.be/OqeKV2UYq1Q?si=rBR0GMn8JOwZ1YcO

miamurphy.net•79 days ago

Indianapolis. I was there for SHEEO Policy in 2022, and if it weren't for a local I met through the old Higher Ed Twitter gang (hi, Sam Snideman) who took me out for dinner, I'd have never seen anything except the conference. Never even walked outside of the hotel.

jonbecker.bsky.social•79 days ago

I went to one conference in Indy and was pleasantly surprised. I went to a sports bar and a jazz club and it was all pretty neat.

jamesdeanward.bsky.social•79 days ago

Minneapolis. All I really saw was the downtown area, which was pretty sterile and not where the locals are, from my understanding.

In terms of the opposite experience, I walked every inch of Toronto and loved it

jonbecker.bsky.social•79 days ago

I was in Minneapolis for the Final Four in 1992. Really enjoyed it.

And your Toronto post reminds me that I went to AERA in Montreal years ago and I'm pretty sure I didn't take full advantage of that.

jamesdeanward.bsky.social•79 days ago

I love Montreal! I actually need to book my annual winter trip there to see some real snow

leegee.bsky.social•79 days ago

A slight twist on your twist: Orlando proper is actually a nice little town but you’d never know it from where the conferences are usually held.

triplingual.bsky.social•79 days ago

So many give Orlando no thought when there's some great stuff there.

jonbecker.bsky.social•79 days ago

yeah, I don't think I've seen Orlando beyond the Disney confines.

triplingual.bsky.social•79 days ago

First place we had really good South Indian food!

shermandorn.com•79 days ago

My first American Historical Association meeting when I was a grad student. Dead winter Chicago. I barely got out of my hotel and the conference hotel.

jonbecker.bsky.social•79 days ago

have you not been to Chicago since?

shermandorn.com•79 days ago

Many times since! And never again in late December (when the Stupid Winter Meetings used to happen).

ceolaf.bsky.social•78 days ago

Is Gaylord even in Nashville? I had the same experience there.

It was only later trips that had nothing to do with conferences that got me around Nashville.

jenorr.bsky.social•79 days ago

And that Gaylord bio-bubble is no joke. I think it’s true of all the Gaylord’s but the one in Nashville is extra.

jonbecker.bsky.social•79 days ago

super extra

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