Is there interest in an apug conference? No conf. site designated yet. I would say where ever it is, that it should be close to an international airport with easy transportation to and from that airport. I know our own EricR is a travel agent, and could maybe tell us a good airport. I would highly suggest maybe enlisting his aid in putting together travel packages to the conf. It helps if we all support our members in their real world jobs too. We could make this a win win situation where we all work together.

We would be willing to donate merchandise to be used as giveaways, prizes etc.

great! this is the kind of thing that we at apug do. I'm sure that we can have a fantastic conf. The more people think and offer to help, the more we all win and learn.

Vegas baby, Vegas...

Always wanted a good reason to visit the US :) .

Edit: er - that could be missinterpreted. Could have said "What a Great reason to visit the US!!!"

Yessss...Vegas! What an inspired thought Brian! Most of us in Europe can fly direct to Vegas.

Would absolutely love to meet some of you. I'm not sure I could swing getting over there in the short term, but if you're talking 12-18 months I could probably swing it. John, got any connections at Air New Zealand? ;)

Flights to Vegas are usually pretty cheap from most places. Hotels in Vegas are reasonable as well. Lots to see around there too. Plus that whole gambling bit if you like that sort of thing. Good idea!

John, got any connections at Air New Zealand?Actually yes :) ! (used to work for Ralph Norris - but he is a bit busy these days).

Leme think on it further.

I use to work for a tour company our of So. Utah. I know lots of good places and things to do photography wise in and near Vegas. We could do pre and post tours if people wanted.

My parents live in Vegas, so I try to get out there once a year anyway, and though I'm not particularly enamoured of Vegas itself, there are lots of photogenic sites all around Nevada and in the region (Red Rock Canyon, Spring Mountains, Death Valley, Eureka Valley, Bristlecone Pine Forest, little ghost towns headed up toward Tonopah, Grand Canyon's not too far, Hoover Dam, and more).

I use to work for a tour company our of So. Utah. I know lots of good places and things to do photography wise in and near Vegas. We could do pre and post tours if people wanted.
Now we're talking!
Sean, I have a good friend who was a Channel Manager for Air NZ a few years ago. She may still have some contacts there - I'll check. Also her sister has been a successful large conference organiser (whatever they call them) in London for the past 3 yrs or so. She's just come back to NZ and I'm sure would be happy to lend some advise/expertise (if it gets to that).

Count me in along with anything that I can do to help.

Jim

So #1: Rough Date and Location?

Jim you won't be forgotten

Those of us on academic schedules like summers for such things.

So #1: Rough Date and Location? we just started talking about this, we need to give it at least 24 hours to see what others think. I personally want to have it at a time we can be assured our illustrious leader SEAN can be there

we just started talking about this, we need to give it at least 24 hours to see what others think. I personally want to have it at a time we can be assured our illustrious leader SEAN can be there
That's a given, thinking personally.

I'll find a way don't worry :)

John, sounds pretty good maybe we can get some kind of deal, anything is better than nothing.

I would also like to have some group outings to visit a few galleries near by displaying top notch work..

Expert speakers.

Expert speakers.
I will gladly give a workshop on crossprocessing and the joys of urban photography for all of the ULF shooters looking for a new way to channel your creativity.

I vote for the UK in August of 2005. Helen and I are in the midst of planing a trip to England and Scotland during that time.

Lost Wages would be nice, but it is best done in winter which would not meet Seans request for 12-18 months out.

I know I'm not too keen on the desert in summer.

Vegas would be nice for the cheap airfare and hotel accomodations as previously mentioned. I'm a student, so I side with David on scheduling it in the summer... maybe early summer, like May? Still nice[r] weather in Vegas at that time.

Summer in Vegas would be best for me. It's my slow time and flights to LAS are cheap from Calgary.

Why don't we make this a voting thread with 3 of our top choices? Once we have a location determined that would drive who could present/attend.

APUG has more clout than you might think IMHO. There is probably a higher "readership" here than the LF magazine that will remain nameless.

Aggie would make a great organizer.

eric

Vegas would be nice for the cheap airfare and hotel accomodations as previously mentioned. I'm a student, so I side with David on scheduling it in the summer... maybe early summer, like May? Still nice[r] weather in Vegas at that time.

My wife is on an Academic schedule and she has classes through July.

Two weeks in December, all of August and a week in early spring are our travel times. Not that I would expect this to be scheduled around my (wife's) schedule -- just saying.

It would be really necessary for this to be over a weekend for me as it's hard to get away during weekly workdays.

I would like to see lots of emphasis on member print review\presentation\exhibition, etc. How about a member print sale and\or exchange area?

Ideas on guest speakers, anyone?
> Michael A. Smith & Paula Chamblee

Product Expo:
J&C
Art Craft

Technical Presentations
> Film\Paper\Chemistry areas
> Processing techniques
> Testing techniques

Not sure how practical field trips are. How much can you get done in a short field trip? Red Rock is only a few minutes away and that may be the best choice. But if this is the summer, noone will be under a darkcloth very long. Remember, if gets over 110 deg or more in the summer there and the rocks turn into mini-ovens.

-Mike