What do you think, would it be a good idea to organise a conference for all forum members? I know it won't be easy to organise but it should be fun to see everybody in real life.
Maybe some compagnies could set up a stand to promote their products?
It's just a idea, what do you think?

I have to admit it would be fun.

i doubt you can do that with all forum members, since this forum is very international.

I think it's a fine idea! You have a two day conference, charge suppliers space like at a gun show, have speakers to donate their time and ETS keeps the difference.

Although I don't believe Doug or anyone else at ETS has the time to organize it.

Still your correct, it would be fun to see everyone in person.

Pick a central location, with limited natural disasters, Vegas perhaps. No volcanoes, no hurricanes, not many tornadoes...perhaps the occasional earthquake..minor at best. and finding a decent location for a conference there shouldn't be a problem. Lots of Hotels. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

How about New Orleans? Central(ish) location, great food, great drink, great music, lots of hotel space, they really need the business, and it's a first rate example of the lesons about being equipped to survive, and not being so equipped.

Also, I could use some help tearing out sheetrock................ <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

,,,,,CLIFF
(like, who else?)

...it just seems so... wrong to meet a la convention. I mean, some place like, check in at a central location and you're driven out to a remote site in the boonies and dropped off for the duration - yeah, THAT would be a great ETS get-together.

-- ...a remote site in the boonies and dropped off for the duration....

You could DO that in parts of New Orleans today. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

.....CLIFF
(like, who else?)

I have thought about something like this as well. I think it would be a gret idea. Now that I say that I like it, it will be planned, but I won't be able to go!

Garrett

So a couple of them? Travel is pain for all of us. Say, ETS-West and ETS-East for those in the US and Canada, and ETS-Euro for our friends on the otherside of the pond?

I don't know if I'd want it to be a trade show, though. I'm not sure if we're big enough to get vendors. More than a class reunion thing, have some speakers or a couple workshops. Like a business conference.

Just need to find a hotel with a conference room that would be mellow with something like a fire-by-friction workshop. Or something where we bring in a bunch of bunnies and sheep so that our more urban members can clean thier own meals- pair those who've never done it with those of us who have. Maybe do that before the firemaking class, let them drain while the fire builds.

(And before anyone asks, no, I'm not looking to make proxies out of lunch. That's bad karma.)

We have talked about some sort of get-together for some time. I have been involved in the organization and presentation of numerous recreational and professional events and conferences. There are significant difficulties with making it happen.

1. Cost: About the cheapest weekend event I attend these days, put on with entirely volunteer help in a not very expensive location is about $350 for the weekend, lunch and dinner and a modestly priced keynote speaker included, but no travel or room charges and it assumes at least 75 persons attending for break even. So, by the time you factor in travel and hotel bills and misc, attendees need to be prepared to spend at least $700 - $1000 or more depending upon room sharing arrangements and travel. I see the cost as a major impediment to the majority of those on this board, but I could be wrong.

Sponsorship of an event by manufacturers and wholesalers and retailers requires that they perceive that their expenses, typically a few thousand dollars for a two day event, will pay for itself in sales, either at the event itself or subsequently. I think that is a difficult sell for such a small and niche gathering, especially considering that many suppliers are themselves so small, so it likely needs to be self-supporting.

2. Organization: Someone has to organize it all. This is a significant undertaking and requires an extraordinarily dedicated chairman with a lot of available time and resources and at least a couple very dedicated additional volunteers. I don't have the time myself.

3. Timing and location: Always a PITA to find a date a majority who want to come have free and a location that is affordable and affordably accessible.

Address these issues and I'd be interested in supporting such an effort.