I plan on filling up a huge box for backhoed! At last years convention I couldn't go so KMA & friend brought me back so much stuff I thought my head was going to explode.

Backhoed- when it gets closer to convention time just send me an address so I can mail the stuff to you. Or if you shop at Costco in Wharton, I'll give the box to my sister-in-law(she's a manager there) and you can pick it up while you shop. Just let me know which works better for you.

Tim - actually, there's a new business idea for you.

I used to go to a conference that went to a "virtual exhibit hall" where they they did away with the actual booths and every attendee received a suitcase stuffed with all the product literature, samples, flyers, business cards, etc.

You wouldn't want to do that exactly - the PTO Show's exhibit area is way too much fun! But you could add another sponsorship item for your exhibitors to participate in a "Wish You Were Here" box. Then those who have no way of attending a show could order a box of assorted literature and samples. It would be fun and useful.

Bertha - don't plan on using an envelope - you'll need a BOX. I completely filled up my tote bag the last time AND had to make a trip to the car to dump it midway.

[ 10-26-2004, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: JHB ]

Bertha: would ya, would ya... would ya really do that for me? a goody bag... from the convention? Yes please....I would love that!!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Backhoed- I'm from Nj and going to Philly. If you want me to pick up stuff for you and mail it to you I will.

Originally posted by PTOPres03:
Tim, I'm just concerned that with the reception networking time at the end of the day, everyone will be in a rush to get home and it won't be as much fun and helpful as the two-day, but that might just be me. Also, I guess I don't understand how having one-day conferences allows adding a 5th location?

Hi pres03 -

We did have two one-dayers last year and the networking at those events went great. I'd say roughly equal attendance at those receptions as at the two-day conferences. So that's good.

On the scheduling thing, each 4-day conference is a 4-day commitment for our entire staff and a 5-day commitment for several people. Each one-day conference is a 3-day commitment for entire staff and 4-day commitment for a couple of folks. Last year, with two 2-day and two 1-day, that was 16 days minimum. This year, with five 1-dayers, that's 15 days minimum. With a relatively small staff (most of whom have families here at homebase), that's a big consideration. Five 2-day events would be minimum 20 travel days.

There are also shipping concerns for all the materials and exhibitors' booths. Getting them from San Ramon, CA to Philadelphia, for example, takes nearly two weeks. With two day conferences, we couldn't have a Monday/Tuesday event one week and then a Thursday/Friday event the next week. Materials wouldn't arrive in time. But we can have a Monday one week and then a Friday the next week.

SWo it's fairly compley. Trust that we are trying to balance: a) having the best possible conference and b) getting out to help as many people as possible.

I could see a day down the road where we do, say, one large national conference (4 days, higher-level content, bigger stuff) and then a whole bunch of small regionals. But that could still be a ways off.

Hope this helps give a picture for the surprisingly complex planning process behind these things.

Tim

You guys should all wear a "hello" sticker with your discussion forums names on them! That would be really cool to see all in person...then.. perhaps... you could go to a REAL Page2 for some REAL stuff . Wish I could go to Philly...

Tim - you should have a photo taken of all the great contributors to your discussion forums who attend the conference and print it in the magazine! That would be REALLY COOL! [img]smile.gif[/img]