$300 for early registration, $400 after the late registration deadline. Although we never actually used the late registration cost, we kept the early reg. price all the way until the day of the event… 
This year should be the same with the day of classes (Tuesday) being an extra fee ($100/$150). With that in mind, the day of classes will be limited in terms of how many people can attend and the sessions will all be much longer to allow for a proper classroom format and experience.
I attended a different event at Fort Mason, it was in the Festival Pavilion one July and was not air conditioned. I assume the buildings the conference will be in will be air conditioned?
Up the hill from the safeway there are a number of hotels, which are effectively within walking distance. These are “cheap” hotels at about $60 (what we paid a couple years ago anyway). Very little parking and really run down building (again the hotel we stayed at.) Ft. Mason itself has a good sized parking lot, assuming that its not filled up with Unite attendees. (I’m guessing Unite isn’t big enough to fill that parking lot.)
If we attend Unite, I’ll plan on staying in Santa Clara or Sunnyvale or one of the other cities to the south and driving in each day. Hotels aren’t much cheaper but a better value. Since we’ll be driving to SF anyway we’ll have a car-- for those flying in, it may not make sense.
Hey guys, I’ve just decided I’ll be coming along (as long as some unforeseeable event doesn’t prevent me from going).
I’ll be traveling from Australia, and will be looking for info on local accommodation, and possibly organizing transport with other people while there, that sort of thing.
It will be my first trip to the states, so I’m really looking forward to it.
Is anyone else from Australia going?
The Cowell Theater yes, the conference center I assume so, but either way the event is the last week of October so heat-waves or even warm temps are just not expected.
There are a number of hotels along Lombard (not the twisty part in pictures, but the drab normal boring part west of Van Ness) that are going to be on the cheaper, but not as nice side (compared to downtown for example).
If everyone drove we just might (we’re prepared for up to 400 people to attend). Either way there is a small lot outside the grounds that’s free, or one inside that’s $7 for a full day of parking. Of course folks can take public transit, taxis, ride a bike, etc.
If folks want an immediate check on local/nearby accommodations you only need to visit the Fort Mason website:
Neighborhood Accommodations, Transportation Airport Information
In SF there are cheapy hotels all over the place as long as you book early. The city isn’t that large within itself so as long as your in San Francisco proper the cab shouldn’t be too bad. Google maps is your friend. Also for those flying in from out of town. October 31st is Halloween. If you are leaving on the 31st make sure to take a earlier flight out as if you take any transport in the evening you could be severely delayed. Also hotels around the city may fill up that night. There is a rather large celebration (especially castro area) and it becomes a true pain to get around in the evening if you are not ready.
Im relocating back to SF next week. Ill be staying at a cheaper place in north beach area (not too far from the convention center) next week while I look for a apartment so ill let you guys know how ghetto it is.
True. Look around as there are definitely deals to be had!
True as well, cabs that night will be tough to come by once afternoon turns to night… As to hotels filling based on this, that I’m not so sure of as loads of folks come in to town to party/celebrate, but not necessarily to stay. But best to play it safe!
Welcome back to SF then! 8)
Hah. Just booked my flight to SF and a hotel room for Unite. I’m arriving saturday 24th of october and will leave on friday late night. Flight was 855 Euro total with Lufthansa / United Airlines.
I looked for a cheap, clean room that is not too far away from Fort Mason and ended up with a good deal for 397 Euro for all nights at the Travelodge Golden Gate at 2230 Lombard St. Only 2 stars and a motel, but seems clean and compared to the rest of SF at that time damn cheap (booked via hotels.com). I even found hotels with 2 ** for 1000 and more US$ for the same time. With that one I have only approx. 800-900m walking distance to Fort Mason.
San Francisco, here I come again! Will be great to see you all (again).
Martin
P.S. Tom, any news when we can get our tickets for Unite?
That’s where the bulk of our staff stayed in 2007. Serviceable and decent, just not luxurious per se. You’ll be a nice short-ish walk from the conference so that’s not a bad spot.
We need to finalize a few things with the event center (about whether we can sell tickets or we go through their box office) and once that’s done we should be good to go so stay tuned.
24th to 1st here. Also through Frankfurt on an UA901 at 14:00. Ended up at a reasonable €500 for plane tickets.
Unite 09 here we come!!!
Whoa - been checking the announcement forum on a daily basis recently looking for Unite 2009 but it seems Martin was smarter checking the “right location”, hehe 
Guess I gotta get ready to get some plain tickets and a hotel room … and of course tickets for the conference as soon as they’re available
Ah! Great to see you guys there again!
We have to finalize a few arrangements with the event facility before out and out promoting it (their rules, we gotta play by 'em!). So we got the web page up with a “save the date” message and will soon be sending out an announcement email and will make a formal post in the Announcements section.
As long as you don’t change the dates, that’s fine 
Plane tickets are booked, woohoo.
Tom, one suggestion:
(in case you haven’t that already on your plate)
Would it be possible for you as local to give some hints regarding restaurants around Lombard street? Or if it later clears out that there are some “hotel hotspots” where most people booked to mention some restaurants around? It’s just that locals often know good places that visitors don’t know. Would be awesome if you could give some hints where to get some good food.
Thanks!
Martin
P.S. Oh well, I see the question appearing: What do you mean by good food…
I’d be happy to offer folks food/dining suggestions but not necessarily in a formal way. I’m in Seattle now preparing for Casual Connect but I’ll get back to this thread next week and can chime in with tips on where to go eat.
HiggyB: Thanks for welcome to SF. Now that I am back it reminds me of how much Ive missed being away.
Martin: Im totally up for helping list food spots as well. I am working in a area not that far from Fort Mason. Ill wander around with a camera and give some suggestions. Im just trying to remember whats around.
I honestly I don’t recognize any of the names of places there except one.
If you are vegetarian or like that sort of thing there is one place called “Greens Restaurant” that is actually inside Fort Mason. Its a bit fancy and nice. I was taken there once even though I am a strict carnivore.
SF local food wise you have to find is the Clam Chowder in a sourdough bowl. Boudin tends to do a good one and they are all over the city. Im not 100% sure how close to Lombard area but if you end up at the Wharf area they will have it.
After I find my apartment sublet I will try to wander around that area myself and see whats around.
Everyone: More travel tips. If your flying within the US you may want to check prices to Oakland instead of SFO. A lot of the budget airlines go to Oakland and you can save a bit of cash. From Oakland airport make sure you have 3 one dollar bills to take the bus to the train station. You then can take the train(BART) towards SFO which will bring you into the city. I just did this myself 3 days ago. The plus side of flying into Oakland is that you can have Fenton’s Creamery ice cream right in the airport. They were featured in the movie “UP” and its great stuff. You can save yourself some cash by taking the train into the city from SFO as well. Then once your in the city you can taxi it there to whichever hotel you are staying at.
I will be going guys so expect a lady I use to live in the San Franciso area, though I will be quite rusty Im sure.
My nephew owns a hotel in the business district I will be able to stay in. If anyone is short on where to stay, let me know Ill see what I can do.
If anyone is considering trying to save on accommodations, you might consider Oakland as I will be driving in from there each morning. I’m actually staying with friends a few blocks from my old house, so it’s weird in a good way. Dinner at Ecote one night at least (yum).
GameResort will be there, too
Alrighteee - got my plane tickets and hotel:
I’ll be arriving Mo, Oct 26th 20:20 in S.F., staying in Travelodge Golden Gate (like Martin) from Oct 26th (Mo) until Oct 31st (Fr) … then will be moving on to Hawaii (yeah ) for a few days, then to Seattle for another few days … and finally will be returning home Nov 9th (actually, I’ll arrive here at Nov 10th).
Now I only need those tickets for the actual conference