I don't think I have much of anything constructive to add to the next Drupalcon being in....Florida.
No one wants to travel in the US right now. It's a hot mess and it's getting worse for anyone who isn't a heternormative cis guy.
Moving the 'con to Canada presents other issues. It adds the expense of a passport. And with ICE at airports now, unless you a *white* heteronormative cis guy, you are likely suspect and may be detained, doxed, or have your devices scanned.
The net result of that is many, many people who are in the US will not even be able to attend no matter where it is.
I know I can't risk it. ICE has been authorized to arrest and confiscate trans people's passports on sight. No matter which state you're in. No matter if you're a citizen or not. No matter if you've never lived anywhere else your entire life.
Yes, really.
That's why you don't see me even at *camps* any longer.
No. Where. Is. Safe.
Get it yet?
The only equitable way to have a Drupalcon North America as long as fascism thrives here is:
Don't.
There isn't a way to do it.
You can hold it online, but for various reasons you cannot get vendor buy in for the event that way. They're all too tied to in-person, physical presence. Agencies don't even want that because it negates hallway conversations which allow for potential sales.
And it kills me. I miss giving talks. I miss mentoring people at contrib day. Miss showing how technology can be empowering, rather than how it can take power from you.
But fascism leaves you no quarter, no prisoners, and in the end, no survivors.
There isn't a way to square the circle ethically.
So, the 'con either whistles to itself through the dark and bloody years as if nothing is happening around them, or it stays home until days are bright once more.
"Miss Movie Masochist"
Partially domesticated raccoon
Natalie