What makes a great conference venue? 

As Aki and I began our search for a new Seattle home for AONW, we contacted a number of venues, from hotels to large convention centers, and bespoke, historic ex-warehouses to college campuses. We also investigated our old stomping grounds, the Seattle Center, and even the bare-bones Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park.

We took road trips and toured venues. Some were really nice and very pricey. Others were fairly economical, but lacked important amenities, such as being near public transit, or hotels.

There were so many factors to consider:

• Overall space & cost

• Ability to run evening sessions in the venue

• The noise level during breakout sessions

• Accessibility for people with mobility issues (are the toilets up or down stairs, would we occupy multiple floors, etc.)

• Proximity to reasonable public transportation

• Parking for those who would drive

• Reasonably priced accommodations for those coming from out of town

• How much set up and tear down would the venue do versus our volunteers

• Cost of catering, and food selection choices

• And my personal pet peeve, comfortable seating

We are pleased to say that we found a space that we hope will be a brilliant container for the magic that is AONW, the Lynnwood Event Center! 

How does it satisfy the items on our list?

1. The overall space is fantastic. We have an entire floor of the building, including great space for our circle, for comfortable dining, and for our sessions. This includes 3 smaller rooms perfect for using screens. It’s all on 1 floor (including the bathrooms) with no steps to get in or out, so it's very accessible for anyone with mobility issues. 

2. We can run our evening sessions in the venue, both nights! 

3. There is plenty of complimentary parking directly adjacent to the building. The lot includes electric charging stations.

4. For those arriving via train or plane, the light rail line 1 will be extended to Lynnwood prior to our conference, and the station is roughly a mile from the venue itself. 

5. There are many affordable hotels within walking distance of the venue, as well as numerous restaurants (including one of my favorites, Kona Kitchen.)

6. The seats are fantastic. No flimsy plastic chairs that make you want to stand through your sessions. The chairs are lovely and will accommodate bodies of all shapes and sizes.

7. We’ll have to see how good the catering is and how well sound is for our breakout sessions in the larger room, but we have high hopes!  If you want to be in the first group to be notified when tickets go on sale, click here! We look forward to enjoying this new space with you!

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