There is no need to go into details as to why the idea was discussed. However, I think it's something worth considering, worth bringing up to the community. In truth, I've heard nothing but good things about Steemfest and I'm sure @roelandp has done a great deal of good for the strength of the community by holding these events. However, Why do we need to have only one meetup a year? And... Why could we not have one in America too? img src

Steemit Inc's Involvement

Of course we know that Steemfest is an event that is co-sponsored by Steemit Inc. The idea was born out of @roelandp's mind but the Steemit Inc's involvement has been very present at the events. To some, this is confusing, in the sense that it's not clear who is the organizer of Steemfest, but in truth the event has always been coordinated by @roelandp and Steemit Inc has been one of its sponsors.

So technically, @roelandp could choose to exclude Steemit Inc from an event, and this should not be a reason why Steemfest could not happen. However, that would make little to no sense, given that most users of Steem, are users of Steemit. (for more information on the difference here is a great explanation by Luke Stokes)

Have we even asked @ned?

I'm obviously a small account by comparison, so I have no way of reaching him. But, is there a reason why we can't have two parties? Would he want to sponsor a second one in the new continent? (technically that's still true) - I don't know, but what I do know, is that if we don't ask the NO is guaranteed. Hence why, we can't really complain about him not being part of a hypothetical unasked for idea.

Not to beat a dead horse but, aside from the fact that a ex-witness tried something a little on the shady side. I know of no one who has attempted to create a big meetup for Steem users aside from @roelandp. The truth is that the job of coordinating such an event is no small feat, and anyone who gives it a go has to be comfortable dealing with all the complexities of negotiations. So, its understandable that there is not a list of people waiting to make the plunge.

But, if there is a Steemian with the knowledge and the drive to organize one. Why haven't we asked @ned? - I'm being 100% serious about this too. What is the risk on posing the question? Will I get flagged to oblivion for asking? Will my life end after he says he's not interested? Will my girl leave me for being a failure? - I see absolutely no risk whatsoever.

Complaining is easy

Hence why we do it so much. I'm guilty of it myself. I'm not in a financial situation conducive to making any trips at the moment so I won't be visiting SteemFest this year. But, my immediate reaction should not be to point out all the reasons why traveling to Europe is terrible, why I hate the snow, why we chose Poland of all places. It would probably be a lot more productive of me to wonder if there is a way we can do something on this side of the globe as well.

My dear friend @luzcypher shared with me some pictures of Mexico. I for one can't think of a nicer place to hold a Steem get together on a big scale. The prices are affordable, most people love the beach (there are some weirdos out there), and we would have some local experts to guide us through the process. (@luzcypher has been living down there for more than a decade, and he is not the only steemian)

So, maybe we should be having that talk. Maybe there is someone who is willing to make that a reality if the community can secure support from @ned and Steemit Inc. I'm not an event planner by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm sure there are at this point many capable Steemians that could pull this off if they wanted to.

Conclusion

The point I'm trying to make is that SteemFest does not have to be the only event, the only reason why Steemians meet and bond. No doubt it will always have a special place in people's mind, because it was the first of its kind. But, it doesn't mean it has to stand on its own.

As far as I know, there are always meetups happening between Steemians. I even participated of one not that long ago with my Minnow Support Group family. It was great, it was special. Finding a way to scale that up is not impossible, it just requires commitment. Less complaining, more doing.