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Location
This year, RubyConf is partnering with Hilton Americas Houston, recognized as #1 on DiversityInc's "Top 50 Companies for Diversity" list!"
Hotel & Venue
The Hilton Americas Houston is located among Houston's happening downtown attractions. The Hilton Americas Houston provides a comfortable, elegant backdrop for three full days of Ruby goodness!
Hilton Americas Houston 1600 Lamar St Houston, Texas 77010 Book Your Room
So, Why Houston
As the Planning Committee for RubyConf 2022, we want to acknowledge and be transparent about our decision to host this year's conference in Houston. We recognize that Houston is not currently a safe travel destination for many marginalized members of the Ruby community. Our team has given this extensive thought and would like to share the following information with our community.
Ruby Central, Inc was committed to holding our conference in Houston several years before the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in Houston being rescheduled to RubyConf 2022 and 2023. During the pandemic, our conference was held virtually for our community’s safety, and our financial deposits in Houston were frozen until we could meet in person again. As a result of the changes to the political circumstances in Houston, our Board has decided to take on the financial loss of canceling RubyConf 2023 in Houston, TX, and relocating to San Diego, CA. However, when faced with the additional financial loss associated with changing our conference location for 2022, our team decided that this was the time to strengthen our commitment towards social justice and to identify better ways to use our organization's budget. Some examples are:
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Hosting a secondary satellite conference, RubyConf Mini, in Providence, Rhode Island, in partnership with WNB.rb, a virtual community for women and non-binary Rubyists.
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Providing a virtual component called RubyConf Home Edition in January 2023 will provide access to pre-release RubyConf Houston and RubyConf Mini content.
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Securing the award-winning Black non-binary author and activist George M Johnson, who will lead a keynote around diversity and social justice activism.
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Establishing an inclusivity consultation team, including the hiring of a DEI and Social Justice consultant, Raksha Muthukumar.
We know that this solution is an imperfect one and does not satisfy the needs of everyone in our community. In consideration of the safety of our community members, we have decided to host a secondary satellite conference in Providence, Rhode Island, this year. Additionally, early in 2023, we will be hosting a virtual Ruby Conf.
We understand that attending Ruby Conf 2022 is a deeply personal choice for every individual in our community. As your planning team, we want to emphasize our commitment to turning this situation into an opportunity for solidarity. Texas is the American state with the 2nd highest LGBT population and a state filled with progressive people of color, queer, and feminist activists fighting for justice, who put everything on the line every day for all of our rights.
Ruby Conf is aware of the privileges we hold as an organization. We intend to not turn our back on the efforts of these activists and when we have an opportunity to support them when we occupy their city/state. If you are comfortable and able to, we ask that you consider joining us in this effort. We are open to any questions and suggestions on how we could best accomplish this vision. Email our DEI team at inclusivity@rubycentral.org and help us make this Texas trip a positive opportunity. We know this situation is not what everyone envisioned, but we’re hopeful our community can come together and make the best of it.
Read our full commitment towards social justice and please don't hesitate to reach out.
Getting There
In Houston, you can choose between the Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
Traveling from IAH
Catch a taxi by following signs to "ground transportation" outside Baggage Claim/Arrivals Level, Terminals A, B, C, and E. Exits are marked with "Taxis." Learn more about IAH's transportation center. Ride-share and taxis will take 25-30 minutes to get to the Hilton Americas Houston.
Traveling from HOU
Outside Baggage Claim/Arrivals Level, you will find Curb ZOne 2. Follow signs to "Ground Transportation" to find the signs markers with "Taxis." Taxi stands are in Curb Zone 2. Learn more about HOU's transportation center. Ride-share and taxis will take 15-20 minutes to get to the conference hotel.
Getting Around
The METRORail is a popular transportation option with service along nearly 23 miles of central Houston. There are other transportation options available to you.
METRO also offers bus services in Houston with local service running along most streets. One-way fare is $1.25.
