yes, but.....

[ditfd]

Pam, I think I started a year after you: Seattle. I had seen Pati Walton make a bead and I think Cindi Brown, and taken a hothead class with Peggy Prielozny, so I knew a bit, but was certainly a rank beginner. I watched Loren Stump render the Seattle Space Needle in murini, complete with reflections in the windows and clouds in the sky. I needed to have my jaw wired shut; I found it agape for most of his presentation. I had taken a pre-conference workshop that included Tom Boylan as a student. Only figured that out after the fact -- I knew his name, but not his "name" at the time. I was in way over my head, and I wouldn't change a thing. So I agree with you in that the program should be the latest, greatest, most cutting edge it can be.

[PamDugger]

I can almost remember every detail of the Evanston Gathering. There were 150 attendees and we were split into two groups. Since there was no video we all gathered around to watch the demos. Each presenter gave their demo twice. There was a glass gallery across the street and Shane Fero sat in the window making his beautiful glass art. A small group of us stood there for a LONG time watching and talking about how fantastic he was. Duh, he made a few comments as there was an intercom and he could hear everything we said. Dudley Gibberson did a demo with his volcano torch at some point, perhaps open torch. Open torch was fueled by oxy generators. It was awesome! The banquet was at an Italian restaurant. I loved every second. I took a one-day class with Loren Stump the day after the Gathering.

The Seattle Gathering was where I purchased my wonderful Bethlehem Starfire, as recommended to me by Loren. His space needle was an unbelievably demo. I still have the little murini he gave out to everyone after it was over.

[ISGBAdmin]

I just want to say thank you to everyone for all of the great ideas posted here. How exciting! Please know that with planning about to hit high gear for the 2012 Gathering, these ideas will be taken into thoughtful consideration. The planning team realizes that it's time to freshen up our conference so that it is more in tune with both our members' needs and our economic times. It might take a few conferences to find the right mix and to do things right, but it will be worth it to breathe new life into the Gathering. Thank you again for all the wonderful ideas!

[BarbaraSvetlick]

Who are you "ISGBAdmin"?

[TerryHale]

Oops...sorry, Barb. I logged in to do some maintenance and didn't change my log in.

~Terry

[BarbaraSvetlick]

thank you Terry...I thought it was Jannelle who has used it to fix problems.

[Nina"Sam"Hibler]

Well there are a few of you who will laugh when I say I'm finally done reading the whole thread.
So many words........

For me to read the whole thread not skim was dedication.
But the words where so good I had to plow through.
I love the ideas and suggestions.
I mentioned a few of these ideas on myself

BE Con the Bullseye conference happens every 2 years. The year I attended we stayed in dorm rooms. Hotels were also available. Both very close to the college campus where the lectures and vendors were. BECon is very different from the Gathering in many ways but the dorm room and college campus ideas could work.
I'm easy to please a dorm room, a camper or a nice hotel as long as I can walk to the conference from that location.
Driving anywhere out of Texas is a long trip so I'm usually flying and really don't want to rent a car. That is why walking to the venue is important to me. But if I have to drive I would because ISGB is very important to me and the Gathering is where I can learn and see all my bead friends.

Learning and expanding my thought process is important. We can learn so much from everyone who attends the conference and each presenter has a pearl to offer. For me every Gathering has been a worthwhile experience. Each Venue was different each had its pros and cons. This was my second Gathering in Louisville and both were different. I enjoyed both.

I think these are great suggestion and ideas here. I am so happy to see members talking about the Gathering and how to make it better.
This is great!
Sam

please forgive any spelling - errors

[Dogmaw]

As usual, I enjoyed the gathering. I was a bit unhappy with the hotel. My mom and dad came to visit, and my mom is handicapped. When I requested the room online I said I needed 2 beds and a roll in shower. I even called to confirm. I got there, and they told me that such a room didn't even exist! I had requested an early check in, and the room wasn't ready till around 4pm. It was very difficult for my mom to move between the hotel and the bazaar. The only thing that really made it possible for her to visit my booth was the light attendance of the bazaar. I think we need to put a little more planning in for our members who don't walk as well as they might like.