This is good to see. RailsConf and RubyConf have become too politicized (and feel exclusive). Any chance we can get a US-based Rails World conference this year, too? Most Rails conferences I've seen for this year have been international, and traveling internationally is a whole different ballgame to domestic travel.
I feel you. I live in Europe and I feel the same about traveling to the US. It is such an extra hassle compared to travel within the EU.
In an ideal world we would have 2 non-politicized conferences each year, one in Europe, one in the States. Hopefully we will get that in the future.