Is it time to go back to Europe?
Proposed location: Dublin, Ireland.
Dublin is an English-speaking, highly accessible country with a friendly reputation. It is an international tech-city, where m any of the world’s top tech companies are already located, in a part of the city known as the Docklands, which happens to host a giant convention centre: https://www.theccd.ie/ There is potential to capture a wide strand of the Ethereum world, pulling in people from nearby Europe, bringing in Americans who always love Ireland, and being not too far from Gatwick so everyone else can join in. Irish people are easy-going socially, but also highly professional in business and this is exactly the kind of large event they would back and help make happen. It is also exactly the kind of city where people can bond, built to allow social interaction at every corner.
Country and Entry
1. What are the visa restrictions for the country?
European Union (EU) country + 90-day visa-free for almost all major countries.
2. How easy is the international access?
Direct flights from most of Europe and from the US. Direct flights to London with a short sub-hr flight to Dublin from pretty much anywhere in the world. It’s basically in the middle of the world on the map (not even joking).
3. What about the safety and political stability of the region?
One of the safest, peaceful, and most stable countries in the world. Crime in Dublin would be a non-issue, especially in the likely convention centre location known as the Docklands (where Coinbase, Meta, etc. are located in Dublin).
4. How expensive are venue rentals, accommodation, food, and transport?
Since Dublin a popular tourist destination it can be expensive. Food and transport should not be an issue, but hotels can be competitive. However, no more than say Barcelona, Paris, etc.
5. What is the climate during Q3/Q4?
A temperate climate that should suit every type of person. Not too hot, not too cold. But rain could happen!
City and Venue
1. How easy is the transportation in the city (between venues, airports, etc.)?
Bus/taxi service from airport to city centre. Venues likely accessible by the tram system known as the Luas. The city is relatively small and very likely most people will be able to walk from place to place.
2. Are there modern venues (WiFi/Maneuverability/Catering)?
Yes.
3. Are there venues with the capacity to host between 5-10k+ people?
https://www.dublinconventionbureau.com/partner/convention-centre-dublin/ 8000 delegates. RDS is another option.
4. What are attractions in or around the city, and how close are they to the venue?
Venue is located in the centre of the city beside most tourist attractions, such as the Guinness storehouse, Dublin castle, Kilmainham jail, Book of Kells, etc.
Ethereum community and Impact
1. What does the Ethereum community look like in this region?
It is currently small, which is one reason I want to bring Devcon there. There is a vibrant blockchain/crypto community who could easily migrate to Ethereum due to this buzz. Dublin is a very tech-oriented city, so it’s a rapt audience.
2. What is the potential of Ethereum to have an impact in that region?
I think it will boost Ireland’s tech image if this event generates a new Ethereum-focused Dublin community. I can see the conference having a long term ripple effect.
3. How is hosting Devcon in that city benefiting the Ethereum ecosystem?
I think it is simply the case that the event will be in a location that people find attractive and accessible and that this enables the work of Devcoin to go on without a hitch.
Concerns and Downsides
Every location has its pros and cons. It’s important to also consider the potential downsides.
1. What are possible risks?
Maybe slightly expensive hotels may put some off.
2. What could be the downsides?
The weather might not always be great.
We want to say thank you for your effort and enthusiasm in drafting your proposal for Dublin! 
