On the Ever-Increasing Cost of Events; What’s the Plan to Keep NARIX Accessible?
As we prepare for our upcoming event, we want to share an important update: ticket prices for NARIX will be going up (again) for Austin. We understand that this news might be disappointing, and we want to be transparent about why this change is necessary, how we’re feeling about it, and what we’re doing moving forward.
Why Are Prices Increasing?
NARIX has come a long way in ten years. We’re now a full-blown professional organization, with real operational costs to cover. From admin fees like website hosting and invoicing systems to paying taxes and maintaining an LLC, our expenses have grown.
While our incredible event and committees still run entirely on volunteer power, the reality is that hosting this event has become more expensive. For instance, just two years ago, venue rentals were under $2,000 for the whole weekend. Now, we’re looking at costs that are two to three times higher. And in Austin, we’re facing our highest venue rental to date.
Don’t get us wrong—we’re thrilled about the space we’ve secured, and we’re grateful to be getting an amazing deal on it. But finding a 4,000+ sq ft venue that meets our needs—hard points, bathrooms, break-out spaces, parking, proximity to airports, affordable housing, and accessible public transportation—is no small feat. The NARIX events committee has worked tirelessly to pull off this complex task year after year.
On top of that, the cost of food has also increased. We’ve always prioritized offering a fully-catered experience, but that too has become more expensive. As we build the budget, we’re constantly juggling trade-offs: Do we serve less food? Do we choose a venue further from the airport? Do we decrease the number of attendees to fit a smaller space—or increase it to spread out the costs?
Our Commitment to Accessibility
Throughout these discussions, one thing remains central: financial accessibility. We know that ticket costs are just one part of the equation. When plane tickets, housing, and even feeding yourself are expensive, the ticket price is only a fraction of the challenge.
That’s part of why we’re committed to providing meals during the event. By offering robust snacks and serving most of your meals at the venue, we help attendees avoid restaurant prices, delivery fees, and transportation costs to and from meals.
When it comes to housing, we have a plan to keep costs down. We’re reaching out to local community members to offer free housing, and there are dozens of affordable Airbnbs within walking distance of the venue. Plus, our #housing-and-rides channel on Discord is available to help folks group up and share costs.
As for travel, Austin is well-positioned between the coasts, with generally lower flight costs compared to previous venues– though we acknowledge flying from Canada seems to be quite expensive no matter where we look. Here’s a quick overview of average round-trip ticket prices:
O’Hare: $300-350
SeaTac: $250-300
JFK: $200-300
LAX: $250-300
SFO: $250-350
BNA: $200-250
YUL: $500-700
Finally, we’re continuing to offer scholarships, no volunteering required. We believe that those with financial accessibility needs shouldn’t have to work to gain access to the event. We’ll have full-ride and half-ride scholarships available to support those who indicate financial need, already built into the budget, and we’ll offer more as we collect donations from our community. For reference, thanks to donations from attendees at our recent Montreal NARIX, we were able to offer over $5,000 in scholarships! These scholarships ensure that financial constraints don't prevent anyone from joining us.
Looking Forward: Our Dedication to Reducing Costs
We want to assure you that we’re actively seeking ways to reduce costs in the future. We’re setting a new cap on what we’re willing to pay for venue rentals, exploring partnerships, sponsorship opportunities, and more efficient ways to organize the event without compromising on quality. Our goal is to create a sustainable model that allows us to keep the event accessible while maintaining the excellent experience you’ve come to expect. And to offer more value, at a lower cost than other big rope cons you might go to.
Thank You for Your Understanding
We genuinely appreciate your understanding as we navigate these changes. Your continued support and participation are what make this event so special, and we’re committed to making sure it remains open and welcoming to everyone. We're also excited to share that we're working on new initiatives to increase access to NARIX, including smaller regional events, online gatherings, and, hopefully one day, a community grant program to help cover costs beyond just the ticket price.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. And if you’re interested in applying for a scholarship, please indicate financial need on your Austin application. We look forward to seeing you at the event and continuing to build a vibrant, inclusive community together.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!
