I've just received the PASS connector newsletter with details of the decision of where to locate the next summits.

To me it shows you how you can spin statistics they way you want to.

I am very suprised by the numbers 81% said that they would like an east coast event. The spin is that "When we look at responses from only 2008 and 2009 Summit attendees (our most successful ones by far), the number who want a future Summit outside of Seattle drops to 69%." Wow the number drops thats bad. We must stay in Seattle then.

My take however is that 69% of those willing to travel to Seattle want an event NOT in Seattle. Doesn't that suggest that people would like an event not in Seattle.

I appreciate the comment about the launch years however 2012 isn't going to be a launch year because they need to get SQL out of the door before then to meet the 3 year software assurance cycle. So sticking 2012 in Seattle is IMHO a bad decision.

It might keep the cost down for the PASS org, Microsoft and the attendees that live near Seattle but does it keep the cost down for the rest of the SQL Community?

They do mention a possibility of an event on the East Coast and I do hope that its not just lip service. Flights for me to the East coast look ~30% cheaper than to Seattle and I've never been to the East Coast. Come on PASS show you are listening to the community.