Thanks for all the comments everyone. My personal suggestion and hope is to focus on specific reasons that someone sitting on the fence may not attend. If we can reach those specific people with alternatives, the ticket becomes a much easier sell. For example, money is always the first reason for not going. They see the costs at the Artmore, etc and that stops them in their tracks. However, how many of those folks have actually sat down and explored all of the options for lodging, travel, etc in the ways to save money thread? Jen posted a condo for rent recently that sleeps 8 people for $175/night within walking distance. If you coordinate a big group, you pay $22/night!!! That's just one of the many examples that can be pointed out to someone.
I think many have made good points in regards to lower priced hotel options. While budget hotel options within walking distance of the venue have decreased over the years, for people who have a car, there are still a large number of cheap motels (under $50 a night) within a 20 minute drive, as well as a few cheap parking lots right near the venue. This might not help someone who's flying in from the west coast or something, but for someone who lives closer and will be driving to Atlanta anyway, this could be less than 1/3 what they might be looking at paying at the Artmore or Residence. In 2005, I couldn't find any sort of decent deal at a nearby hotel, so I flew in, rented a car, and stayed at the Days Inn a couple miles out, and the room plus the car was actually cheaper than staying nearby.
Also, from talking to people over the years, I've noticed that sometimes people stay alone or split a room 2 ways... if you're trying to convince a friend to go, and they're on the fence because of costs... it seems like people often don't make use of the foldout beds they have access to in the Artmore or Residence, for example, which would allow for splitting the costs between more people. Now, I obviously don't know that the people who are leaving their foldout bed unused are the same people who are trying to convince friends to go, but it's worth pointing out, at least. Also, if you know someone who is thinking of going and concerned about cheap lodging, I'm pretty sure both the Artmore and Residence will set you up with an additional roll-in bed for like $10 a night.
Something else that also comes to mind, based on a discussion I had about a friend of a friend. He lives in Kansas City, saw the recent Sabaton show there, and is a fan of both Nightwish and Kamelot, and has been planning to see that tour when it hits his area. He's been aware of ProgPower for years, and always "wanted to go", but as far as I can tell, he seems to have convinced himself that he can't afford it or can't make it. This year, he has been offered cheap lodging, and, since the Nightwish / Kamelot tour is coming to his town anyway, he has been made aware that he can fly in on Friday, and leave on Saturday night / Sunday morning, thus minimizing his already low hotel costs. Yet, I suspect he still won't make it... I know as well as anybody that it can be very difficult to get people to break out of the assumptions they already hold.
I think part of it... even for some people who can afford to spend $400 - $600 to make the trip, is that the whole idea of picking up and leaving for a few days is just unfathomable. While traveling is second-nature for some people, others perceive it as a huge, expensive operation, or something that's simply impossible for them. I'm sure some people who say they simply can't make it for financial or other reasons truly cannot. But I also know there are other people who can, but just subconsciously feel that the whole thing is too daunting. A lot of people protest that they can't afford it, but if they manage to once, they often somehow find a way to afford it again in future years, because it's just that enjoyable an experience. I felt that way myself back in the day. Traveling 900 miles to see a concert sounded far-fetched... something that maybe other people do. But in November 2001, I just decided I was going to do it. I got in my car, and stopped only for food and gas until I got to Atlanta... and I've been back every year since. If you're one of the many people out there who is long overdue for a vacation, and you also happen to be a metal fan, well, you really couldn't pick a more perfect destination than Atlanta in September.
