jepto, I've never written anything on this site even though I've read it a lot for about a year. I hope I can help with you question.

I went to the PTO conference in Cleveland last year with 3 of my other board members. We weren't sure what to expect, but all of us were pleasantly surprised. We talked about ideas we'd heard the whole way home and we used a lot of the ideas in our group and they've worked. Besides that, we also found 2 new programs from the vendor hall that have worked out well and we never would have heard about them except for the conference. It was a good day. I'd strongly recommend it. I wish the conference was in Cleveland again, but I think at least 2 of us will be going to Chicago anyway.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>How about a show in Kansas City?<hr></blockquote>

What a brilliant idea! I couldn't have said it better myself.

One advantage KC would offer over other cities is that it is home to the best BBQ in the world. (The folks at the Dallas show may disagree, but they would be...what's the word I'm looking for...oh yes...WRONG!)

Tim, I'm not sure how much space your show needs. But if you want to look into a KC show, you probably actually want to look at the new Overland Park Convention Center in the Kansas suburbs.

[ 12-20-2002: Message edited by: KC Swan ]</p>

I would love to come. Unfortunetly it would be at my own expense, and I'm afraid I just don't have that kind of money right now. I hope to attend eventually though.

Hey Lisa -

We hear ya. We've gone from 1 Show to 3 and now to 5. And we've gone from one-day Shows to two-day Shows. So we're getting there.

I can tell you that we have a lot of folks signing up who'll be flying in for a fun get-away weekend. It's especially true in cities that are asy flights to Show cities (like Austin, Houston, San Francisco, Sacramento, Cleveland and Minneapolis, etc.).

We've also got a few folks who'll be car-pooling from 4 and 5 hours away.

We'd love to have you, and we're confident that the Show will be well worth the time and expense.

Tim

How about a show in Kansas City?

I'm admittedly biased, but where should I begin:

1. The biggest benefit in my opinion is the chance to share ideas with hundreds of folks who face the same challenges you have and who share your enthusiasm and volunteer spirit. It's uplifting.

2. A really great line-up of practical seminars on key PTO topics. The 2003 seminar listing just went online this week. It's at: www.ptotoday.com/shows/agenda.html More than 35 sessions to choose from at each Show. New this year are quite talented keynote presenters to kick off each day of each Show in style.

3. Lots of fun. This year we've got the lunch both days, breaks, prizes -- even a wine and cheese networking reception on Friday night. Lots of folks are signing up for the two-day options (and staying overnight with friends at the hotels) and making it a girl's night out. You've earned at least as much.

4. The exhibitors. We'll have more than 75 different exhibitors at each Show. Last year's attendees told us they were able to do all of their comparing (and find new products or ideas they hadn't thought of before) right in the Hall, all in one fell swoop. Nice. And you've never seen as many samples!

I could go on......