Stormy Weather: D: Dive Into Mobile Postponed Due to Hurricane Sandy
It is with great regret that we have to announce that, due to Hurricane Sandy, we are postponing our D: Dive Into Mobile conference, which had been set for tomorrow and Tuesday in New York City. It will be held at a later date to be determined at a place we will announce as soon as we can.
We deeply apologize to attendees, presenters and sponsors, but the situation is truly out of our hands. On Saturday evening, New York City officials were more confident that the storm would be manageable. But by today at midday, things had deteriorated and some airline flights, Amtrak trains, and even New York subway service, were being canceled.
And, just now, Mayor Mike Bloomberg ordered an evacuation of the Battery Park area of lower Manhattan, where D: Mobile was set to take place. Our first priority is to keep people out of danger, and the location in the beautiful but very low-lying tip of Manhattan is especially susceptible to flooding from storm surges.
The latest predictions we’ve seen are for surges of five feet or more in New York Harbor, which could pose a safety hazard and also cut off power. In addition, we don’t want to strand people in New York, since most of you have busy schedules.
So what are we going to do now?
To repeat: We will reschedule Dive: Mobile, and anyone with a ticket will be able to use that ticket to attend. Or, you can use your ticket to attend our upcoming D: Dive Into Media conference, set for February 12 and 13 in Dana Point, Calif. Or, we will refund the full price for those who prefer that option.
Finally, we are informed that the conference hotel, the Ritz Carlton, is giving full refunds and waiving cancellation fees.
If you are already at the Ritz, the hotel is arranging alternate accommodations uptown. You will be contacted shortly by the hotel management to inform you of your new hotel.
If you have questions, please contact our Registration and Housing Manager Meg Burns at meg@allthingsd.com.
While disappointing, we know this is the best course — and our only responsible decision — for the safety and schedules of all involved, but we want to thank everyone who had agreed to speak, demo and attend.
Most of all, we especially want to salute our fabulous conference producers, Ina Fried and Liz Gannes, who poured their hearts into creating what would have been a ground-breaking event. They will be back with another.
We appreciate your patience and thank you for your support of D.
Walt & Kara
