Why You didn't Come to the Conference

[jd callow]

Good Day,
I have now received form the attendees of the conference their feedback. 56 of 99 sent have replied and I will be sending out one more today. 3 of the instructors have replied (Thank you Blansky, Tim R and and PeterS).

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

 

[Aggie]

SCHEDULE CONFLICT i was newly post op and couldn't travel.

 

[david b]

Well for me, it was time and money. I just bought a house. I am building a darkroom. Plus a few other big purchases.

But I will be there next year, no excuses.

 

[bill schwab]

Prior commitment. After hearing about it, I am sorry I didn't go. Next year for sure if I have the time available. Also, I asked this in another thread, but never got an answer... How many APUGgers actually went?

B

 

[sionnac]

Wished like hell I could have gone. Didn't have time off from work - that's really the only reason. Toronto isn't that far. Boston would be great though!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I had just started a new job and was ineligible to take annual leave at that time. Otherwise I'd have been there with bells on.

 

[wfe]

Prior committments and really not sure how successful the event was going to be. Now that I have seen the success I am filled with conference envy and will do everything possible to attend next year.


Regards,
Bill

 

[removed account4]

money + time.

maybe next year

- john

 

[David Brown]

When I first heard about it a year ago, I was excited. However, as the time grew closer, plans had already been made for another workshop (S. Texas shooting with Mr. McLean) and a big vacation later this year to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary.

So, time, distance, travel costs; all factored in with only so much of each to go around.

Maybe next time. Please do another.

 

[agGNOME]

I would have loved to have attended the conference, it was simply a matter of money, and the priority of my current job search (any leads, please send them my way ).
Next year....no excuses!

 

[Paul Sorensen]

My wife was getting her Master's degree on that weekend. Honestly, the money would have prevented me from going if the prior commitment had not.

 

[arigram]

Because Canada is too freaking far away from here, a whole ocean and a whole sea away! The cost would be prohibitive even if I had the money. Otherwise I wouldn't miss an APUG conferance for the world! I have been mostly alone in my photography path and it would be incredible to meet people who share my passion. Plus I never had a good photography teacher and would really like to take workshops with the people that taught in the past conferance.

 

[jd callow]

Prior commitment. After hearing about it, I am sorry I didn't go. Next year for sure if I have the time available. Also, I asked this in another thread, but never got an answer... How many APUGgers actually went?

B

Bill it was 105-110. I don't have the exact figure here and I never got the inf on the last 2-3 that registered at the door.

 

[df cardwell]

Prior committments.

Too much the introvert to be comfortable at a big bash.

Happier at a slower paced, smaller get together.

 

[bill schwab]

Bill it was 105-110.

Thanks John, That's pretty good! I'm betting it is at least doubled next year after all the great reviews.

Bill

 

[smieglitz]

Just spread too thin this year. The conference fell a few days after my annual poker weekend vacation and during the final week of the college semester. A week later and I would have been there. Plus, I am participating in two photography work$hop$ about 11 hours away from my location, and at least 2 other trip$ 500 miles away this summer. Another shorter excursion about 200 miles away with the APUG Great Lakes group is also slated in a couple weeks. So it was a case of limited funds, schedule conflicts, and setting priorities.

I won't be attending the View Camera Conference which is within driving distance too for the same reasons. But I would have picked the APUG conference over the VC one if I had the bucks.

Joe

 

[athanasius80]

Time, money, and difficulty with my semester schedule. Next year is on my "must do" list though.

 

[rrankin]

I had a scheduling conflict that turned out not to happen, but the money would have stopped me this year anyway. I'd need a secondary reason to go that far as an amateur but would love to have the opportunity to meet other LF users, see the work exhibited and attend some workshops.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[blaze-on]

Bill it was 105-110. I don't have the exact figure here and I never got the inf on the last 2-3 that registered at the door.

Any non-APUG members attend? (non-APUG) Walk - ins? Was it open (gallery/show) for non-registrants to view the work? Did you have a "Join APUG" form for those non - Ape huggers?

Essentially for me it conflicted (money wise) with a planned excursion I have and for what it would have cost for a weekend there, I can travel for two weeks and shoot.

But sure bet it was fun...A week long event I could justify (hint) with full day workshops...

Kudos again to you and Bob et al..

 

[reellis67]

Graduation. I would have gone if the conference was not on the same weekend as my graduation. As an adult student, I just worked too damn hard not to walk.

- Randy

 

[ricksplace]

End of the semester. Impossible for me to get away. End of May would be better.

 

[jd callow]

Any non-APUG members attend? (non-APUG) Walk - ins? Was it open (gallery/show) for non-registrants to view the work? Did you have a "Join APUG" form for those non - Ape huggers?

Essentially for me it conflicted (money wise) with a planned excursion I have and for what it would have cost for a weekend there, I can travel for two weeks and shoot.

But sure bet it was fun...A week long event I could justify (hint) with full day workshops...

Kudos again to you and Bob et al..

yes, yes, yes, no, the form to join is online and can't be done via paper, but all but 1 who have responded appear to have now joined.

I do appreciate the hint. It is why I posted this thread.

 

[Dave Parker]

I stated my reasons for not attending in a previous thread, costs for me to attend were to expensive and the time off would have set me even farther behind than I already am.

Dave

 

[jd callow]

Thanks Dave, I apologize for asking people to state their reasons again (assuming they already have).

I'm trying to put the goods in one place so it will be easier to figure this thing out.

 

[Dave Parker]

John,

It might be productive to put together a .pdf questionaire that people could download and answer why they didn't attend and email back to you or one of the other organizers, that way they can be printed out or added to a database that could be compiled to go along with why those who did attend, and the things they thought could be better.

Dave