APUG Conference for 2007?

argus · May 9, 2006

My last suggestion on this topic.

Why not have the organising team of this years' conference decide if they really want to organise it again in 2007?

I am sure they have plenty ideas to make the conference even better than it was now, i.e. super-fantastic.

Let them have the first word on the 2007 edition.

G

gr82bart · May 9, 2006

frugal said:
I don't think that Art is against the conference being somewhere else, I think he just wants to make sure that people understand all of the logistics and that if people are going to post suggestions, we need more than just, "hey, let's hold it in x."

I am not at all against having it elsewhere. I go to Toronto every month and was raised there. It gets boring.

I know there are some great photo festivals around the world - http://www.festivaloflight.org/ It would be fantastic to have this conference coincide with each one of these. Personally I'd like to see it in Bratislava or Asia (which is always 'forgotten' when it comes to art conferences and trade shows), but without the organization and infrastructure, it's all speculative.

Cheryl Jacobs said:
Think of it as making a bid for the Olympics. I guarantee that for Bob, John, and their able army of volunteers, it felt very much that way.

I think this is a great idea. Rather than speculation and "What about this place." suggestions in a thread, people should submit a 'bid' as Cheryl is suggesting with more details. If this process was outlined with timelines, than there'd be a better chance of determining future locations than what's going on right now.

I guess in the end it's up to Sean.

Regards, Art.

gr82bart · May 9, 2006

argus said:
Why not have the organising team of this years' conference decide if they really want to organise it again in 2007?

I'm NOT speaking for them, but I think they would. They had too much fun!

Regards, Art.

Sean · May 9, 2006

Also, whoever wants to put on a conference like this needs to not only raise a lot of funding but may also need to go out on a limb with their own money (and a lot of it at that). Bob's crew did some things financially that would have absolutely terrified me personally, but in the end they pulled it off. The site itself does not have the finances to back a conference but Bob's business did and his determination to make the conference happen was a huge emotional and financial risk for him and his business. The model of "paypal me your ticket fee, but if the paypal funds don't add up by x date then conference is off" doesn't cut it, had that been the case we would not have had a conference. Bob and crew gave us a tremendous amount of credibility with sponsors and instructors that the conference WOULD happen no matter what. That is the kind of determination and commitment I would like to see if there are other proposals for this. I trust Bob's team beyond words at this point, so there must be a very strong case for us to look elsewhere. I am not saying this can not happen but put yourself in my position, I want the best conference possible. If it's Bob's team vs. a few guys without much of a convincing pitch or that come off as not nearly as committed then I would have no choice but to go with Bob's team again -that is if they decide to make a bid for it..

Drew B. · May 9, 2006

I guess we should just let this run it's course. If others come up with a plan, it will be considered. If it is the same place next year and the year after, I think the numbers will slowly go down and eventually the "organization" will start looking at alternatives...maybe even hiring a professional crew to set it up. At some point, those people who are so gung-ho on the elevator being the only place in the universe to do it, will be saying "i'm cooked, find another place"
If and when it is held somewhere else, I will consider going.

ps, and No, I don't want to be involved in putting it on in my back yard.

gr82bart · May 9, 2006

Satinsnow said:
One day after the conference is over, I would not expect to nail an exact address down on where it could or should be held,the professor in charge of the art dept here locally at the community college has a commanding position with darkrooms, conference rooms and such at his disposal, and asked about it as he has been displaying the Apug conference poster in his classes since John sent them to me, that is not what the discussion was about, the discussion was about where next year to possibly give other members of the system and the traffic to attend the 2nd annual Apug conference.

Hi Dave,

Your's, Aggie's and Tsuyoshi's are so far the best alternatives put forward in this thread IMNSHO. Now if we can get the dedicated team together....

I'd say, depending on the team it will take 9-12 months to organize, so there's a bit of time to get 'bids' in.

Regards, Art.

Dinesh · May 9, 2006

I just have one question regarding any new destination, will there be beer?

Andy K · May 9, 2006

Dinesh Wijesinha said:
I just have one question regarding any new destination, will there be beer?

Not if it is held in the US, there'll be that funny yellow stuff though.

Fintan · May 9, 2006

Personally I'd like to see it go to the UK, preferably close to Ilfords HQ.

Maybe the likes of Simon, Ailsa, Silverprint, RH Designs, Robert White, and the UK APUGers [who I must say are as talented as they are committed to Analog] could do '07

Dave Parker · May 9, 2006

Andy K said:
Not if it is held in the US, there'll be that funny yellow stuff though.

Awe Contraire my Dear Andy!

We have three microbrewries here that do some great beers, both english and american, quite a taste sensation on the palete..

Dave

dschneller · May 9, 2006

Dinesh Wijesinha said:
I just have one question regarding any new destination, will there be beer?

A man who has his priorities straight!

Aggie · May 9, 2006

Dinesh Wijesinha said:
I just have one question regarding any new destination, will there be beer?

LOL, Yep even in Utah you can get bear and microbrewed at that!

Cheryl the temps right now are hitting in the 80's to low 90's. The nights and early mornings stay well under 70. It starts to really rise after noon. The big heat usually hits here the beginning of June to mid June. You're right St. George in summer is miserable, just like Tuscon. Fall and spring are the best times here for light and temps. There is a commercial airport here in St. George, but it would cost less to rent a car in Vegas and drive the 90 minutes.

BWGirl · May 9, 2006

Well, I think Cheryl has the gist of it... proposals by prospective "host city Reps". That just makes tons of sense.

As for the beer... hm... the only 'beef' I had beverage-wise with Toronto (and pretty much Canada in general) is the apparent lack of ice in the city, and yes, the entire country! Now I am not exactly sure who is holding ice hostage, but the ONLY place I could get ice in a cup for my soda was McDonalds! AND... when I said "Please, I would like a LOT of ice," I found out that 'a lot' means approximately 3 cubes! Dang. This is a SERIOUS consideration! They must be saving it up for something foolish... like hockey. :confused:

So I'm voting for the best bid for next year that includes actual ice for my soda.... I'll bet there's a wee bit of ice in Montana.

On a serious note, I think you could hold the thing in Toronto for at least 4 years without running out of something different to see. I had a great time there, but saw many 'cityscapes' that we had no time to even explore.

BTW... short question for Winger... are you nuts??? :confused: You didn't come to Toronto because it was too close???? You missed an AMAZING opportunity!

jeffneedham · May 9, 2006

was just in the carribean last week, and while in san juan (puerto rico) there was a cruise ship full of pampered chef people, (you know the catalog full of pricey cooking gear?). the cruise line had set up facilities for them on board. i wouldn't know where to start, but could you imagine a floating darkroom? if you get bored you head over to the pool or to the casino. and the location wouldn't be a problem. we'll take the cruise across the atlantic.

now if we could just avoid that whoel stomach flu bit...

Andy K · May 9, 2006

Well.. IF the UK was considered maybe the conference could coincide with Dead Link Removed. Also a quick heads up for the UK contingent, Photo London runs from the 18th to the 21st of this month.

ricksplace · May 9, 2006

Dinesh Wijesinha said:
I just have one question regarding any new destination, will there be beer?

A Molson's rep, a Labatt's rep, and a Guiness rep are ordering in a bar. The Labatt's rep orders a Blue, the Molson rep orders a Canadian, and the Guiness rep orders water. When asked why he ordered water, the Guiness rep replies, "If you guys aren't drinking beer, I won't either."

Drew B. · May 9, 2006

Thats a great joke....have to reuse it!

gr82bart · May 9, 2006

Dinesh Wijesinha said:
I just have one question regarding any new destination, will there be beer?

My nice cache of real Canadian micro-brewery beer and 12 bottles of Ontario wine was safely 'smuggled' without incident. Duty on Canadian beer and wine is like $0.14 per 6-pak or per bottle of wine which the US Border Officer waived. He knows a good thing entering his country!

Art. (Another reason for Peter, Krystyna and Suzanne to ride with me next time!)

canuhead · May 9, 2006

This is just a thought off the top of my head so take it for what it's worth

Since most of our supplies are from Europe (incl GB), wouldn't it be fitting to have a future conf there ? Maybe work a tour of a film/ paper manufacturer in there.

Paul Sorensen · May 9, 2006

Fintan said:
Personally I'd like to see it go to the UK, preferably close to Ilfords HQ.

Maybe the likes of Simon, Ailsa, Silverprint, RH Designs, Robert White, and the UK APUGers [who I must say are as talented as they are committed to Analog] could do '07

It would seem that this would be a way to get good organizers and funding as well. Of couse, that is if someone among that group is interested in organizing and helping out with funding.

I do find myself thinking that it would be nice to have it move from year to year. It would be just fine with me if it stayed in Toronto since I missed it this year, but in general I do like the idea of it moving and not becoming a regular Toronto event. Of course, there does need to be an appropriate space, funding, organizers, etc.

highpeak · May 9, 2006

I really don't want to miss another one. No matter where it is, I am going to go.

Jim Chinn · May 9, 2006

It sounds like Toronto was a great site and that the organizers are willing to do it again next year. There is probably enough people who did not attend this year who could make it next year along with repeat particpants to make it successful. However if you move it later in the spring is there anything going on similar to the Contact photo festival?

Having it in the same location every year has the advantage of consistency of planning for participants and organizers, and affords the predictability of facilities and accomodations.

As others have pointed out the downside is unless you can generate a certain percentage of new participants every year I think attendance begins to decline. I plan to go next year if it is in Toronto again, but after that I would probably want to spend that week of vaction (the one I can dedicate totally to photography) going somewhere different or new either to photograph or attend workshops.

So maybe stay with Toronto for '07 and with the knowledge gained plan on a different location for '08.

Of course ideally everyone would like it to be in their backyard. For myself it costs about the same to fly into Heathrow or Shannon as it does Toronto from Omaha, so I kind of like David Goldfarb's suggestion about a future UK conference, even if on a smaller scale.

Fulvio · May 9, 2006

in Europe PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!

I would LOVE to come next time!!! If you plan to make one in Europe, make one in Denmark, there's Emil Schildt who would be great to have for such occasion... I've just spent a semester with him and he would be perfect for such a meeting... Otherwise, I'm from Italy and of course I would really pleased if you decide to organize the meeting here.

bye!

Curt · May 9, 2006

Europe would be the best place.

djkloss · May 9, 2006

Dinesh Wijesinha said:
I just have one question regarding any new destination, will there be beer?

I will personally see to it that you have enough beer for the next event...wherever it may be! I'm still on cloud nine so that sounds good to me. Besides.........I owe you one...or two...or three!

Dorothy

APUG Conference for 2007?

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