Why You didn't Come to the Conference

[JHannon]

Mostly timing, like some of the others. I also work nights and weekends and have odd days off. I recently switched to the day shift so it may be easier for me to attend in the future. I really wish I could have gone...

--John

 

[Cooki]

Cause I spend all of my money on film and processing, and, being a luddite, I refuse to follow the lemmings over that digital cliff.

 

[Jeremy]

$$$, but most importantly a scheduling conflict with a lab final that couldn't be moved

Plan to go next year.

 

[jd callow]

So it appears that later in the season would work for most. Money is an issue so the price can't rise. Some would like longer others free film(?).

 

[Magnus W]

It was the money. I had hoped to save enough, but around february I realised that I just couldn't make it.

-- MW

 

[Gary892]

While I am not attempting to answer for anyone else, I believe a fundamental reason people do not attend is the inability to evaluate the true value received for the amount of expense. If the expense is low then the perceived value might be high. Those that live close or have only a short distance to travel and see the expense as worth while.

There was plenty of information and marketing well in advance of the conference, however since this was the first conference expectations could only be vague on the part of the potential participant.

I live in Southern California and the cost of air fare; hotel, food, and conference all have to be taken into consideration. I also do not have a current passport so that played a role.
I have been to many workshops in the past and I find them long on socialization and short on learning, hence I find them a waste of time and money so I am influenced by my previous experiences.
Please don’t get me wrong, socialization is an important role but it should not be the main function of a workshop or conference.

Unlike some suggestions I believe a week is too long for me. I can’t be away from work for that long of a period.

An analysis of the reasons for not attending is a good exercise to see how things can be improved. But at the end of the day one can only do so much to remove the barriers for attending. Each of us must make our own decision for our own reasons.

My two cents.

Gary

 

[John McCallum]

Good Day,
(snip) ... It is time to hear why other members didn't come. I realize money, time and timing are major factors. I also know that we will often find the time and money if the event is exactly what we want.

I'd really like to hear everyones reasons for not coming and what would compel them to attend a future APUG Conference.

Cheers,

jdc

John, I have the same view as you. If it's important enough then time and money become less of a hindrance.

I was all fired up and ready to go 'till I perused Air NZ's services and found no direct flights. 4.5 keys for the week on my poor-starving-artist income suddenly became a hurdle that even the opportunity to meet fantastic lineup of speakers, organisers and attendees could not entice me over.

That's a lotta merlot. Although I've heard; apart from in Blansky's area, the Canadian stuff is pretty good.

Costs are relative aren't they. I realise I'm probably the odd one on the field here.

 

[Charles Webb]

I did not consider attending because of health reasons. I can no longer walk or stand for more than a few minutes. I use a power chair for any activity that requires mobility. The challenge of simply getting myself and machine to such an event is astronomical.

Due to medical bills for treatments etc, I am on an extremely tight budget and must plan carefully where I spend the dwindling ballance of my life long labors. I believe it would have been nice to be able to attend, however I question how much value it actually would have been for me, versus the cash expenditure and personal dificulties it would have presented me.


Charlie.............................

 

[Nige]

many, many miles of ocean and the associated costs involved to cross it! The wife wouldn't have been impressed if I said I was leaving her home, so add to the inital 4K, another 8K (assuming kids get 1/2 price fares... which they may not anymore!). Was never going to happen! Nice to read about it though.

 

[papagene]

Travel $$ budget and vacation time off are committed to a family trip to Calif later this summer for my wife's sister's wedding. Otherwise I could have attended and wish I had more $$$ and more time off.

gene

 

[Derek Lofgreen]

The actual $$ for the conference was very reasonable. The cost of getting to Toronto was pretty steep. I know it's not bad for the east coasters but for me out here west of the Mississippi it's harder and more expensive to get there.

 

[FrankB]

Money - To be precise, part of the ongoing job insecurity that they neglected to mention as one of the attributes of a career in IT.

Cost vs benefit may usually be relative, but at times making mortgage payments and putting food on the table have to take priority.

Currently determined to be at the next one even if I have to swim...!

 

[jovo]

I could have been able to get away from teaching for a couple of days (our contract allows two days personal leave without giving a reason), but the airfare and hotel costs were just out of reach for me this year. I wish I could say, as others have, that I'll be there next year for sure, but I can't since next years site and date have not been established. If it's no farther than Toronto then perhaps I can save enough by then, but if it's in Europe or the like, and the costs are higher still, then, sadly, I almost certainly can't attend.

 

[fingel]

Money for the forseeable future... I'm trying to buy a house in this wonderful SF Bay Area housing market.

 

[blaze-on]

...socialization is an important role but it should not be the main function of a workshop or conference.

Unlike some suggestions I believe a week is too long for me. I can’t be away from work for that long of a period. Gary

I was going to go primarily for the socializing aspect, as half day workshops would seem to be only a tease.

Gary, you work too much

So it appears that later in the season would work for most. Money is an issue so the price can't rise. Some would like longer others free film(?).

Ah yes, I forgot that the first weekend in May... (following April/IRS/TAXES = POOR). Income taxes, estimated taxes, property taxes, city business tax and resale taxes were all due. I NEEDED a weekend away...but hitchiking to CAN and eating table scraps didn't cut it...

 

[firecracker]

My budget has been pretty tight, but hopefully not so next year.

Last year and a half, my money was mostly spent on the construction of my own new darkroom, darkroom equipment (brand-new enlarger, lenses, carrier, etc) and a large volume of photo supplies, etc. Also a couple of small photo exhibits I did in Kyoto, a tiny book I self-published have cost me quite a bit.

I rushed to get a lot of things done in a short period of time in a way, and I ran out of my energy. I couldn't really think about anything else for a while.

But now all that is done and has been settled. I have more freedom.

So I'd like to make a plan for the next trip if it's not too soon. Certainly going to a conference and/or workshop may be a really pleasing experience!

If I'm allowed to suggest a location for the next conference, I'll say Czech Republic or Hungary. Prague or Budapest would be nice to stay for more than a week based on my own experience.

Or somewhere in South East Asia would be ideal.

 

[katcall]

Hi all

I would have loved to attend the conference but like many others, distance and cost play a major role in decision making. I also have a husband and two children under 5 who wouldn't be happy waving goodbye to me whilst I go on an overseas trip without them.

Is there the possibility for future events for some of the workshops to be telecast over the internet or made available for a set period of time on the APUG forum for a fee during the conference period. I know it's not the same as being there and being hands on in the workshops but it would be great to have access to some of the workshops and then give it a try at home. With so many not being able to attend it's another way of helping to fund the conference.

Regards


Kathy

 

[firecracker]

For me for fly out of Japan, the air fare is less of a concern, usually, but the other expenses such as hotels/hostels, food, as well as the conference fee(s) will be.

So, I wouldn't just go to the conference in the cities like Tronto and come back within my time frame, which is just too costly and too insufficient. I've been to the city of Tronto before, stayed about a week, loved it, actually.

It might be better if the conference time will be shared with our vacation time in a way and leave us enough free time to fit in our schedules. Most people have jobs, other jobs, and their "prior commitments" etc.

For example if the conference is held 3 days at the most on the weekend (Fri-Sun) as intensive workshop like 12 hours (with enough break every two hours) on each day, that will leave extra couple of days of free time and the time for traveling with in 7 days.

If some people can afford and plan to stay longer than that, they can get together and learn more from each other afterwards. So, others won't feel that they have missed something when they get home.

 

[John McCallum]

Hi all

I would have loved to attend the conference but like many others, distance and cost play a major role in decision making. I also have a husband and two children under 5 who wouldn't be happy waving goodbye to me whilst I go on an overseas trip without them.

Is there the possibility for future events for some of the workshops to be telecast over the internet or made available for a set period of time on the APUG forum for a fee during the conference period. I know it's not the same as being there and being hands on in the workshops but it would be great to have access to some of the workshops and then give it a try at home. With so many not being able to attend it's another way of helping to fund the conference.

Regards


Kathy

One of the best suggestions seen so far imnsho. Great for those of us who live so far from the bulk of humanity.

 

[sunnyroller]

The cost of the conference and workshops was very reasonable, but flights and accomodations were more than my budget could handle. Also, as a single mom of a 4 & 5 year old it is nearly impossible to be gone for more than a day or 2. Would have LOVED to have gone and am hoping that by next year I will have my ducks better in a row and have a shot at going.

Sunny

 

[rbarker]

For me, it was a matter of money and conflicting family matters. The program looked great, as was the location (Toronto is one of my favorite towns [yeah, I know it's a city, but that lacks alliteration]).

Put it in Rio Rancho next year, and I'll be sure to attend.

 

[Shawn Dougherty]

My truck is a POS and I'm broke.

 

[Aggie]

Instead of a telecast which would just give more an excuse to not even try to go, when they can get it for free via the internet, Why not do a highlights DVD that can be sold after the conference. Apuggers who live to far, and have genuine reassons for not attending would get a discount. Just another hairbrained redheaded idea.

 

[jd callow]

The problem with recording these events is 1) this is one way these folks make their living we can't give it away and paying them for the rights plus production is off the scale 2) the logistics of a simulcast or even an after the fact good quality stream is high 3) producing a DVD is even higher 4) y'all need to, step away from the keyboard, stay away from the remote, and get up off your butts.

 

[Dave Parker]

4) y'all need to, step away from the keyboard, stay away from the remote, and get up off your butts.

John,

I have to say, I take offense at this statement, I also have to say, this is not the way to entice people to put away their hard earned money to attend an event...

And this ain't going to be nice, BUT 110 people attending an event of this nature does not offer the incentives to make me spend the thousands of dollars required to attend, as a business owner who does nothing but photography and make glass, I need to know I am going to recoup my investment to attend...

But again, in an active community of this nature, telling people to get off their ass as we strugle to make sure the analog community continues to keep going is not the best way to make people want to attend.

Dave