I'm currently a junior in high school, and have worked on numerous web projects (APJava.net coming soon... (the only) site dedicated to Advance Placement Teachers/Students), and have a couple of ded servers. Being that I'll be attending univ in 2 years, I'm looking toward the multimedia/web industry as a future. (Aside from the financial issues), Would it be appropriate for me to attend hostingcon?

From your message, it sounds like you are a consumer of hosting services but not in the hosting business. Is that a correct assumption?

Take a look at what they say about it.
http://www.hostingcon.com/attend/

I do sell hosting on my dedicated, however it is mainly by word of mouth because my priority is school and thus cannot get to serious in it. Nonetheless I am looking toward that feild in the near future.

Then yes, it sounds like you could benefit from HostingCon. We are targeting the event towards professionals in the hosting industry, so I think that it would be a help to build your business.

Yeah you should go because you could learn a lot from HostingCon.

Soundslike you want to be in the industry, so I can't see how it would hurt. if it's not too cost prohibative go for it. Might be a good way to get a foot in the door with some hosting companies.

Why oh why does it have to be all the way over --------> there :(

If it was somewhere closer -- like say Germany/Europe, I could attend.

its chicago right?

why couldnt it be like new york or sometihgn

There are a number of reasons why we chose Chicago. One is that we are based in Chicago and since this is a first time event, we felt that we would be better able to plan a valuable conference if it was held here in Chicago, where we have direct access to the various parties needed to hold the event.

Secondly, many conventions are held twice a year in an Eastern US/Western US type of situation, commonly New York and Las Vegas. Since we are only doing one event in 2005, we felt that it would be good to have it towards the middle of the country, to make travel more equal for both sides of the country.

Third, Chicago is the third largest metropolitan area in the country, offering a variety of things to do outside the conference. Those that may wish to plan an extended trip around the conference will be able to find just about anything that suits them in the city.

Yea, gotta love Chicago. Actually, many conferences come to Chicago. I want to one a few years ago in the sporting goods field and what not (was invited to attend by the former owner of Rollerblade) and it was held at McCormick Place, which is a HUGE convention center. The walk from the parking to the entrance has little signs like how many carbs you burned during your walk and what not, very funny. (I think the parking area/entrance were under construction or something, that's why they had you walk forever to get there).

But more conferences then you'd imagine are held in Chicago, and for good reason, central location, like Mouse said, lots to do and see, and Chicago really is quite the business world. You have many large banks and businesses HQed here.

Best of luck though, I'm looking forward to it!

Have a conference in NYC at the new conference building next to Jacob Javitz...now that would be lovely