APUG Conference for 2007?

[Fintan]

Forget the beer, I can have one anytime!!
Printing workshops with Les McLean & Tim Rudman are the stuff of dreams.

 

[Dinesh]

Forget the beer, I can have one anytime!!
Printing workshops with Les McLean & Tim Rudman are the stuff of dreams.

It is funny you mention McLean and Rudman, I had to drive the two of them and Simon Galley back to their hotel one evening. I was scared s..tless that I would get into an accident and set photography back about 20 years. I would have been just as popular as the pilot who flew Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper!

 

[papagene]

As someone who is very involved in the NE-APUG sub-group I really wish I could have attended, but travel $$ and vacation days have been committed to a trip to So Cal for my wife's younger sister's wedding. So I truely want to attend next year's event.
My take on where it should be held is to have it in Toronto again next year (providing those involved are willing) and change venues the following year. It is also feasable to have one in Europe and North America in the same year. I believe in as many APUG'ers meeting other APUG'ers as possible.
If not Toronto, then someplace I can afford to travel to.
I wish the Valley Photo Center here in Springfield, MA had darkroom capability so I could suggest it as a possible future site... but then who knows what good fortune the future may bring.
I am glad everyone had a great time this year.

gene

 

[Simon R Galley]

APUG Conference Venue / Note From Simon Galley

Dear All,

Firstly it was fantastic to attend the conference and meet all involved, Bob, Kevin and all at Elevator, Sean and John and all the volunteer helpers, the other vendors and sponsors and some great workshop hosts....and thats the secret, its not as much as where you are but what you offer and how it is offered.

This was very well done indeed and I cannot begin to think of how many man and women hours ( unpaid ) went into making the conference the success that it was.

I am positive everyone involved in APUG would like to see it develop and grow
and I am sure all who organised and managed the event would like the whole of the APUG community to be able to attend from all over the World, but you have to start somewhere and it could not have been a better venue.

So....what about Europe etc ....well we have 25 APUG members coming to visit us at Mobberley in three weeks for a factory tour, to organise this is a pleasure but still takes resource, costs money, and can be disruptive to our workflow ( although it is manageble in smallish numbers ). If people are interested I would be willing to discuss the possibility of doing something in 2007 perhaps a factory tour and I could invite Les McLean and Tim Rudman to perhaps give a workshop and print lecture each, we obviously have the darkrooms and the space. I would therefore estimate 2 days ( a weekend ) But this would only be with the approval and blessing of APUG and I would need formal approval from the Board of Directors of ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited.

It would have to be simple ( but good ) to ensure the minimum of organisation, whilst we are not in the World's most photogenic area its very nice and Manchester and Liverpool are well served by low cost and scheduled carriers, give me some feedback and if it is of interest I will speak to APUG.

Hopefully this will help and not detract from the main APUG conference wherever in the World it is held.

Simon Galley, ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

As someone who is very involved in the NE-APUG sub-group I really wish I could have attended, but travel $$ and vacation days have been committed to a trip to So Cal for my wife's younger sister's wedding. So I truely want to attend next year's event.
My take on where it should be held is to have it in Toronto again next year (providing those involved are willing) and change venues the following year. It is also feasable to have one in Europe and North America in the same year. I believe in as many APUG'ers meeting other APUG'ers as possible.
If not Toronto, then someplace I can afford to travel to.
I wish the Valley Photo Center here in Springfield, MA had darkroom capability so I could suggest it as a possible future site... but then who knows what good fortune the future may bring.
I am glad everyone had a great time this year.

gene

Gene- all you have to do is get plumbing into that bank vault and you've got acres of darkroom space! Not to mention safe storage area for anyone needing to secure their beloved gear overnight.

 

[FrankB]

Simon,

If it can be put together, please consider me to be at the head of what I think would be a very long queue!

 

[Soeren]

Isn't Soren in Denmark a photography teacher? He might have access to the right kind of facilities. I know the Kro system of mini hotels is great for a cheap way to stay. It would be more accessible to the Europeans. Then there is that place in Scotlanf that has workshops I think it is in the north, a couple of apuggers have taught there before. Why not see about puting a conference on there? Terry King, who is not an apugger, is part of the Royal Photographic society in England, and I bet he could get us in contact wiht the people at Oxford where he olds his alternative processes conference, the Wuropean version of APIS. There are possibilities we just think about it. The next step would be who would take on the task of organizing it all? Toronto is a hard act to follow.

If you want something wild, I'm right here next to Las Vegas. That place is geared for conferences. Only problem would be the lab facilities, and with UNLV shutting down all of their wet room darkrooms about now I don't think we would find any permenant darkrooms.

Didn't have the time to read further right now.
No Agnes I'm not the photography teacher, thats Emil (gandolfi).
Cheers, Søren

 

[Bob F.]

<snip>
So....what about Europe etc ....well we have 25 APUG members coming to visit us at Mobberley in three weeks for a factory tour, to organise this is a pleasure but still takes resource, costs money, and can be disruptive to our workflow ( although it is manageble in smallish numbers ). If people are interested I would be willing to discuss the possibility of doing something in 2007 perhaps a factory tour and I could invite Les McLean and Tim Rudman to perhaps give a workshop and print lecture each, we obviously have the darkrooms and the space. I would therefore estimate 2 days ( a weekend ) But this would only be with the approval and blessing of APUG and I would need formal approval from the Board of Directors of ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited.

It would have to be simple ( but good ) to ensure the minimum of organisation, whilst we are not in the World's most photogenic area its very nice and Manchester and Liverpool are well served by low cost and scheduled carriers, give me some feedback and if it is of interest I will speak to APUG.

Hopefully this will help and not detract from the main APUG conference wherever in the World it is held.

Simon Galley, ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited.

This would be a great idea. If Ilford/Harman could provide the base facilities for a regional APUG conference on a smaller scale than the main annual conference (presumably in late summer/early autumn to give maximum separation) I think it would be of major benefit to all and very worthwhile. If it looks like being a practical option with the Harman board and there is a call for volunteers, please add me to that list...

Cheers, Bob.

P.S. For those with very real and important concerns, Manchester and environs brew some of the best beers in the UK (though I do believe Boddingtons is no longer brewed in Manchester - someone deserves a good slap for that if 'tis true!).

 

[gr82bart]

Hopefully this will help and not detract from the main APUG conference wherever in the World it is held.

Simon,

Actually, I think it would fantastic for it to held at Ilford. It wouldn't meet your 'minimal' organization and disruption criteria, but maybe with the right organizing team and a supplemental facility, that can still be accomplished? Just a thought.

I personally would love to have it there one year.

Regards, Art. (That way I can inflict my evil digital plan in person on you guys too!)

 

[Curt]

What would be the problem with having it in Rochester New York, the home of Eastman Kodak Inc.? Get the media involved early with a news campaign and get a voice in the Photo World.

 

[gr82bart]

What would be the problem with having it in Rochester New York, the home of Eastman Kodak Inc.? Get the media involved early with a news campaign and get a voice in the Photo World.

Again, there's no problem having it anywhere in the world. It's a matter of organization, funding and facilities.

Regards, Art.

 

[JustK]

Dear All,

It would have to be simple ( but good ) to ensure the minimum of organisation, whilst we are not in the World's most photogenic area its very nice and Manchester and Liverpool are well served by low cost and scheduled carriers, give me some feedback and if it is of interest I will speak to APUG.

Hopefully this will help and not detract from the main APUG conference wherever in the World it is held.

Simon Galley, ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited.

I'm in if you could schedule the event when Manchester United are playing football at home!?! I love photography, but I am crazy for soccer/football!

Cheers, Krystyna

 

[Bob Carnie]

Hi Folks

I am back at the office after two of the worst days in years. I have been sick with a chest and head cold since the beginning of the Conference and going to the cottage was not a good idea. All the pollen and stuff just magnified the pain.

So here is my 2 cents.

I think that 2007 is basically a pipe dream for anyone wanting to host the venue unless it is Dec 2007.
John and I started planing with a 14 month lead and quite frankly it was not enough . We made some mistakes that I think justifiably pissed off some participants. As well , it was like I was constantly in shit for one thing or another and I know John and Eric felt the same way.
I would honestly warn anyone who wants to take on a conference to give yourself two years to prepare. It is all about man and woman hours(upaid) as Simon points out as well last minute surges that all but take over your *working lives*. Both John and I were putting in 15 hour days two weeks before the conference as well as pulling in untold amounts of volunteer help and staff contra favours.

This is a very serious warning ,* the grass is not greener on the other side of the fence* unless you are very prepared and financially commited to this type of project.
Imagine, over 100 strangers coming to your place of business for 4 days and inspecting every aspect of your facility.
We were prepared for this , and it still was overwhelming.
I am not trying to push for Toronto 2007, as I would love to travel to anywhere in the world and enjoy such an event, but I would be very concerned for the person taking on such a role without all their ducks in a row.

As far as 2007,
Both John and I in principle have agreed that we would take it on. We will not make our decision formal for a month from now *hopefully with Sponsorship in Place*
Our mistakes would be corrected and the event would change slightly.
We do have commitments from Sponsors to go ahead with which could be sorted out within the next Month.
We would have it one month later in the year , for warmer weather and less conflict with other Photo Events that drew some of the crowd away.
We were extremely pleased with the Instructors. I have to say that they all did exactly what we asked and I am humbled by their professionalism in face of all the little glitches we threw at them. We have some pretty amazing and giving people in our midsts that I am grateful to have met and share a small amount of time with, I am hopeful to be able to once again*2007* meet and share time with some of these amazing individuals with a better balance of job sharing.

We have the experience behind us, 2007 could be a no brainer now with all our ducks in a row. 2008 can be any where in the world and I promise I will attend.

Organizing this event was like launching a small company, so if you want to do it make sure you give it lots of thought, look for the benifits to yourself and volunteers and give yourself lots of time.

 

[Aggie]

LOL, I was thinking of how the Olympics choose the next site. Maybe Sean, Bob, John and Eric could all be a committee to choose the 2008 site. It would depend on models submitted by groups who have decided to host the event. The winning site would be based on organization plan, and sponsorship. Other aspects also taken into consideration. Bob and crew did a herculean effort and hopefully made notes that they could organize into a manual for future apug conference people. This could turn into a smoother transition and more equity given to serious proposals. Like Bob has said, "It's not easy."

Also the olympics tries to maintain a constant venue change geared towards global not regional sites. That way new countries are hosts instead of a small group of the same countries. I do think Bob has it acurately described that 2007 should be in Toronto again. The only other viable suggestion was from Simon if Ilford was to do it. The time scale would be one they could do given who they are and the backing they can bring to bear on it all. These are just my opinions.

 

[roteague]

Bob, you and John did a fantastic job!!! I hope that I can be more involved next year, and help out more.

 

[Lachlan Young]

LOL, I was thinking of how the Olympics choose the next site. Maybe Sean, Bob, John and Eric could all be a committee to choose the 2008 site. It would depend on models submitted by groups who have decided to host the event. The winning site would be based on organization plan, and sponsorship. Other aspects also taken into consideration. Bob and crew did a herculean effort and hopefully made notes that they could organize into a manual for future apug conference people. This could turn into a smoother transition and more equity given to serious proposals. Like Bob has said, "It's not easy."

Also the olympics tries to maintain a constant venue change geared towards global not regional sites. That way new countries are hosts instead of a small group of the same countries. I do think Bob has it acurately described that 2007 should be in Toronto again. The only other viable suggestion was from Simon if Ilford was to do it. The time scale would be one they could do given who they are and the backing they can bring to bear on it all. These are just my opinions.

Will this process be complete with the dirty tricks and bribery that decides the location of the next olympics?

Lachlan

 

[gr82bart]

We have the experience behind us, 2007 could be a no brainer now with all our ducks in a row. 2008 can be any where in the world and I promise I will attend.

Organizing this event was like launching a small company, so if you want to do it make sure you give it lots of thought, look for the benifits to yourself and volunteers and give yourself lots of time.

Thank GAWD, again, for some sanity. John and Bob, you guys will rock again.

Art.

 

[Dave Parker]

Thank GAWD, again, for some sanity. John and Bob, you guys will rock again.

Art.

Art, I really don't think anyone was suggesting any insanity, yes, everybody would like to have it closer to them, but many don't really realize what is involved, but there are a few of us that do know and could come up with some viable alternatives to Toronto, and no, I don't have anything against Toronto..I think if they decide to be the organizers again, that Toronto is perhaps the best place to do it again next year. Now with that said, and with the knowledge it can be done, that 2008 would be a good year to look at the alternatives.

Dave

 

[gr82bart]

Art, I really don't think anyone was suggesting any insanity, yes, everybody would like to have it closer to them, but many don't really realize what is involved, but there are a few of us that do know and could come up with some viable alternatives to Toronto, and no, I don't have anything against Toronto..I think if they decide to be the organizers again, that Toronto is perhaps the best place to do it again next year. Now with that said, and with the knowledge it can be done, that 2008 would be a good year to look at the alternatives.

Dave,

I really have been using the wrong choice of words today, haven't I? Oiy. Really, don't take me that literally.

Regards, Art.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Art, I really don't think anyone was suggesting any insanity, yes, everybody would like to have it closer to them, but many don't really realize what is involved, but there are a few of us that do know and could come up with some viable alternatives to Toronto, and no, I don't have anything against Toronto..I think if they decide to be the organizers again, that Toronto is perhaps the best place to do it again next year. Now with that said, and with the knowledge it can be done, that 2008 would be a good year to look at the alternatives.

Dave

Hi Dave

John and I would like to help anyone thinking of hosting this event in 2008 with our notes and such , I do think that the person or persons who want to take this on , take the time to be at our event next year if we go ahead and this will really help them short circuit any problems.
I will say that without Volunteers and someone like Eric Rose's wife showing up last minute and helping in a very unselfish and giving way this would not be possible.
We had ton's of helpers , and somehow we maybe took advantage of some who paid for more than three courses and still showed up early.I am thinking, Mike Dowdell, Ian and Dinesheh and Pats my lovely lady.

For the next organizers consider this.

Up at 4:30 am each day before and during the confernce
Going to bed 1 or 2am
Not sleeping because you are worring about the next days details
Basically missing the conference ,because you are on call every minute of every day.
Also trying to keep an even keel and enjoying what time you can.


I did indeed enjoy the conference and did enjoy meeting all the participants and instructors, so do not take my warnings as sour grapes. Just a gentle reminder to anyone seriously considering taking this on , that there are tremendous responsiblities with such a decision, and most of them are hidden.

 

[jd callow]

We had ton's of helpers , and somehow we maybe took advantage of some who paid for more than three courses and still showed up early.I am thinking, Mike Dowdell, Ian and Dinesheh and Pats my lovely lady.

Add to that list Robert Teague. When I've time I will put together my thoughts, but...

Robert paid a high price to come out, put on 2 photo outings and then helped all over the place, nonstop. He was the subject of many late night conversations each one included the words/phrases: Incredibly genuine, hard working, friendly, happy to help, Man is he big (the picture on his web site where he appears to be sitting on a rock -- its not rock I believe that is Oahu)

 

[m. dowdall]

Bob, John, Eric...

If any of you do this next year I will be happy to help again. It was a lot of fun. If there is anything (with in my capabilities) I can do to carry some of the burden please don't hesitate to ask.

Michael

 

[Jeremy]

I will be a full-time grad student in photography next year which means I will have a lot more leeway in getting out of things for a photo conference and would love to come out early to help, especially if it's in the latter part of May.

 

[Lopaka]

As well , it was like I was constantly in shit for one thing or another and I know John and Eric felt the same way.

One of the features of these things is that the organizers become preoccupied fixing details and start to feel that way and do not feel the experience the way the ettendees do. Overall, I felt the experience was very positive, and yes, you guys running around fixing 's**t' helped make it positive.

Hope you are feeling better.

Bob

 

[Lopaka]

Robert Teague.... not rock I believe that is Oahu)

Is that why he looks smaller int the photo?