The start of the year brings the inevitable choices about Spring conferences. My original plan was to join the rest of the Clearlefters at SxSW, but I’ve decided it’s not for me. Reports I’ve heard make it sound rather like an enforced Freshers’ Week, where the partying is the raison d’être. Much as I do enjoy a party, you can have too much of a good thing. I felt stifled and overtired after dConstruct and BarCampBrighton, and I’d hate for that to happen during a week in Austin. So while I do love the web scene, I need my space too, and I’d also prefer to improve my professional skills than my already finely-honed beer skills.

So I’ve decided that this is the year I finally go to the IA Summit, Memphis TN, 20-22 March. It’s been on my list for years but I’ve never been fortunate enough to have an employer willing to permit me an overseas conference. Fortunately overseas conferences are very much part of the Clearleft way of life, and even just by looking at the names of attendees I know I’ll learn a great deal.

I’ve also been extremely parsimonious with my holiday time, so will probably linger Stateside for a week or so afterwards. The question is whether to head West (to San Francisco) or Northeast (to Chicago, Montreal, New York perhaps). So far I’m leaning towards the latter, although if anyone has any suggestions I’d be glad to hear them.

As for SxSW, there’s been talk of a counter-event taking place in Cardiff (South by South Wales), or possibly just one or two timezone-shifted drinking sessions in Brighton. Works for me.