Summary

Cleveland would be an excellent choice to host PyCon 2010. There are several choices for the venue and a variety of other things to do. The overall the cost for attendees would likely be lower than first-tier cities.

Major Venues

Cleveland Renaissance Hotel has very large conference capabilities over 2000 seat ballroom in theater configuration plus many other rooms. This is by far the favorite location.


Other possibilities:

• The old Convention Center is also a possibility. 
• Hyatt Regency Cleveland
• Crowne Plaza Cleveland - City Center 
• There are several other possibilities
  

Downtown and cultural attractions can be easily accessed from the airport via The Rapid (light rail).

Other Area Attractions 

Many of Cleveland's rich opportunities are within walking distance, or just a short hop on the Rapid.

Eating and Drinking 

• Great Lakes Brewing Company
• Lola (restaurant of Iron Chef Michael Symon) 
• Powerhouse
• Tremont
  
• Ohio City
• Warehouse district
  

More Educational or Fun 

• Progressive Field
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Great Lakes Science Center
• Museums (Art, Natural History, Botanical Gardens)
• The Cleveland Orchestra (one of the top-rated orchestras in the world!)
  
• Powerhouse
• The big ugly FREE stamp!
• House of Blues 
• Pickwick & Frolic 
• Cleveland Improv 
• Playhouse Square (the nation's second largest performing arts center features several theaters for live performances including traveling Broadway shows)
• West Side Market
• www.achristmasstoryhouse.com 

There are too many attractions to list! 

ClePy

The Cleveland Area Python Interest Group was initially formed in May 2005. We have about 70 people signed up for the mailing list and consistently have 20 people at the monthly face-to-face meetings. Our members include people from a variety of technical backgrounds and languages.

Many of our members have expressed an interest in the available PyCon staff positions.

Volunteers

• Many of our Clepy members have volunteered
• Members of another Open Source group NOOSS have offered to help
• The Cleveland Ruby group has expressed an interest in PyCon - there has been some cross pollination between our groups
  

Potential Sponsors

AG Interactive 

BitBacker

The Opal Group 

Additionally, NOOSS would most likely sponsor a party at the Great Lakes Brewing tasting room.  NOOSS and Clepy are also considering throwing party at PyCon 2009 to build excitement for Cleveland and give attendees a taste of our hospitality.

Other Info

Lots more information is available from the Convention and Vistors Bureau at http://www.positivelycleveland.com/.

Some local big IT and Tech related companies (not all of them use Python):

• AGI
• Brulant
• Progressive
• National City
• Goodyear
• Key Bank
• IBM
• Microsoft