CONVENTION ON THE ORDER OF MARY KAY

Which means you need to sell tickets ahead, even a door ticket, so people will commit and you get an idea of how many are coming. Remember this from all the years my Dad went to various conventions.

Glory Hallelujah! Just the person we need. I am an out front cheerleader. Very aware of the logistics but don't really want to do them. Glory, we have been looking for you. The main thrust of this thread is to see how many, if any are even interested. As you say, no plans can be made when you don't know if anyone would even come. Probably a yes or no is what we are looking for at this junction. More, please.

Christi

Three, does this mean you are interested?

These are all great ideas, but I think we may be getting the cart too far ahead of the proverbial horse...let's wait to hear from Dave before we start a lot of cross-postings or trying to narrow down a list of potential locations ;o)

Maybe---being from out of country, there are a few things I would look for. Tours for one. Shopping, cause I'd be a tourist---and of course shopping in green houses even better, to be able to get all the lovelies that aren't available up here. That would mean shopping at green houses that offer phyto cert's so I could bring all the lovelies home with me :))
Yes, I'd bring one change of clothes and 3 empty suitcases---LOL

Sorry, Terry. I always seem to have too much enthusiasm to use good sense. Will back off until we hear from Dave.

Thank you.

LouC thanks for posting the links. The only conventions I've been to only have a certain portion of the hotel and or conference rooms reserved for the convention.

McGlory and threegardeners, I totally agree on the tickets being sold ahead of time. But not for the whole convention. Like you said threegardeners, a door ticket to get a head count, but not so expensive to discourage. Room reservations done seperately. Because some people will only be going for the day or days they choose. Locals will not need rooms. Some will stay with family if they have any in town. Some will be driving their RV's. The classes or exhibits should be free because of the Vendors wanting our business.

I've been to a convention in Dallas, Lou you are right---it's a great place for it. I don't know how many attended the convention I went to but our host got us an awesome discount on a really posh hotel there to stay the night. A bagged lunch with deli sandwich fixings, chips and soda were handed out as well. Products of the presenter were available to purchase along with time to mingle, enjoy the grounds and listen to motivating speakers.

That was all pre-baby though so I likely would not be able to spend the time to attend a DG conference.

Hi Terry, remember we are not booking anything. Only checking for interest in project. Lets not discourage input. We all know that any and everything will have to be approved by Dave. But I can't imagine that Dave allowed anyone to discourage him from new ideas. I think he'll like it.

More input please!!!!!!!!

Perhaps Dave won't have time for such an event though, are you willing to put it all together yourselves? Could/would it be done without the DG name, but as an invitation to DG users?

I think Dave would love a DG Convention. If he can gather thousands of Gardeners on a wonderful website like this, he can manage a convention.

And Christi would you quit apologizing LOL:) I am so glad you started this thread. Thankyou.

Threegardeners wouldn't it be awesome if the Vendors and Greenhouses offered free shipping to our homes so we could purchase whatever we want and not have to carry them around.

Lovin it!!

Debbie

This message was edited Nov 16, 2007 11:08 AM

Especially if the US dollar keeps dropping like it has been :))

Debbie, IslandShari told me that very same thing just day before yesterday. Don't know why I have become so easy to intimidate or always afraid I will offend someone else. This is my statement: Ahem

I hereby declare I have no intentions of offending anyone or going against the rules of courtesy. Should I decide it is time to have my say, you will know it in no uncertain terms. There. Now on with the show.

Christi

Did you have your fingers crossed, Christi? ;-)

; `)

"And because of the winter right behind us, no one will have plants to bring.
(Lou, I'm still shooting for this Spring 2008), This will be a learning seminar and get together.
The first one does not have to be so big, if it keeps us from doing one in 2008.
March is going to be the best time for everyone.
Jan,Feb (too cold.)
April (planting begins )
May (getting too close to Summer Vacations.)
June July Aug (kids are out of school) .
Sept (school supplies)
Oct (everyone cleaning up beds to put down to winter)
Nov (Thanksgiving )
December (Christmas.)
Yep, March 2008 it is."

This is just one reason why it would be very difficult to pick the "right time": April is too late to plant out here; we're busy putting plants in in October!

It goes without saying that everyone will not be able to attend. But, the one thing I have found on DG, is that no matter what the obstacle, we gardeners, like roots, can always find a way around it. Lets face it, there are RU's going on all the time and some folks are not able to, or just dont care to attend. When a RU is announced ,people go. Some people can't wait to go, some people never go. That's why I love DG. No pressure.

There are alot of us who would be thrilled to go for a weekend of relaxation and gabbing and shopping for plants and visiting gardens and greenhouses and having workshops and visiting and eating. And we love to get free catalogs and discounts. And to these folks I say, If you would be interested please give us your input.

Hey! I need more than just a weekend! Guess I would have to extend my stay even after the convention!

Well yes Plantlady, I'm sure there will be some of us who will want to stay a few days longer so we can visit the Dallas Market and go shhhhooooppping! My only problem ever is just getting somewhere. Planning, packing,etc. But once I'm there I'm not in a hurry to leave either. I sure hope this happens. I'm too excited at the prospect.

Debbie

Just keeping it visible. Lots of folks coming home from work in a little while.

Amen, brother Ben. I go for all of the above. Always ready for a hug around the neck.

LouC

Hey LouC,

Anything can be done where there is an interest. In fact my school from Monrovia Liberia has re-unions roughly every two years, and because we are all over the nation, we hold it in a different state everytime. This gives everyone the opportunity to be "closer" to one of the events.

Chances are Dave and Terry probably have discussed this to some extent already. It's more a matter of the process evolving and identifying with whom and what stage in the evolution of the process is the right time for something like this to take fruition.

I would expect that once this got off the ground it would be rotated around as well. The conventions I have been involved with were rotated between 4 cities.
Debbie thinks 2008, I think 2009 at the least. We'll have to see if Dave even thinks it should be at all.

Still hoping it can be. since your home is so perfect, Randy, we could have the first convention there. heheheh Many of us already know the way.

LOL, true,
and there in is something to think about. Small intimate meetings at other DG folks enviornment is priceless. Something you will never have at a convention. It might be interesting to have several small "garden gatherings" where we truly get to know one another. Even the one I had this summer...there were 60 people in all that showed up that day...everyone had a grande time! It was still intimate enough, yet alot of people got to meet each other.

Totally agree. Just seems that we have a lot people that correspond over the entire globe and would be willing to participate if the chance were there.

I would love it - all for it... ad will help anyway I can.

If I might suggest something Waxahachie is close- very close to Dallas. The center there is smaller but a good size and they like gatherigs like this. A big city like Dallas is not going to roll out the red carpet like one of the smaller side towns around here.

And Waxahachie is the best of them IMHO>>>>>

It will be one big shindig whenever something of that scale evolves.

I can see it now...lunch break in Dallas, workers asking one another..what is Daves Garden? I see people everywhere wearing T shirts that says Daves Garden on it!

**disclaimer**
above statement is merely conjecture and imaginination and does not reflect any actual or future planned events....

Chesser cat grin

Sounds like a great idea. I am all for Dallas. Debbie, don't forget me! I want a ride too. Oh wait, I have to bring my own truck. Chamblee Roses is in Tyler, Texas. . .on the way back home to New Orleans! I love that idea about ordering from vendors. . .free shipping. Count me in. Hope this will work out.

I would be there for sure. Dallas is awesome, centrally located and the facilities for these sort of things are first class. If I can help LMK, I spent many years doing trade shows and putting together exhibits. Actually it could be a a sweet deal for the folks that organize these events . Exhibitors and sponsers can set up booths and show their wares. I know I would be interested in coming.

Great idea,
Loretta

I'm interested. I have family down there so this would be the perfect excuse to come down and see them.

You know I'd be there!!! I must say though...Dallas is one place I hate to fly into...my flight is always late there...other than that....I've never been IN Dallas...just passing through (in the middle of the night if possible) on the way to Arizona!@!

How can I help? Jo

Hey All,

My opinion: Yes, I would be interested in attending a convention.

Based on the fact that my dear hubby is a fish guy and goes to fish conventions alll the time. This past summer, while on vacation we, as a family had an opportunity to attend one in Sacramento. I know this is kinda way more than the Yes/No response needed in this thread, but..... here are some links to give you a rough idea of how some other hobby interest clubs do it - hotels, transportation, airport access, blocking off rooms, speakers, etc. I would suggest perhaps 2009 would be better as these do take some time to plan. But again, the first convention can be basic, if it ever happened. :o)

I would recommend that it be open to the public.. and why? because you can attract new members,local gardners who like plant shows/meets/conventions, meet old ones, and if it's open to the public, more chances of having local sponsors (like HD, Lowe's, and use local garden centers in the area to have a chance to show off wares, and see if any PlantScout or specific breeders of plants would be interested. Heck I met a salvia, Mornining Glory and Daylilly breeder on DG, already members! Good source for speakers if transportation can be covered for them). The potential is already here with members present. Do some opinion polls. Here are some links of what other hobby conventions can offer:

1. http://www.cichlid.org/ACA2007Convention.html - we attended this one the past July07. And by the way, their membership dues are about the same as DG membership due to access the web. I think there conventions move around the country from year to year. This year was Sacramento. Next year is Atlanta, wher most of the population is on the east coast, but definitly not a hinder as it moves to diff regions yearly.


Other associations my hubby mentioned who have annual fish conventions:
2a. http://convention.livebearers.org/
2b. http://livebearers.org/ALAC_Hosting_Info2007.pdf
3. http://www.pvas.com/catfish/welcome.htm
4a. http://www.northeastcouncil.org/html/
4b. http://northeastcouncil.org/necgallery/main.php

So, it would be great I think. I was always hoping that this could be an eventuality. I hoep I contributed in some small way. I hope Dave considers. :0)

rebecca30

I do know from past experiences, that dates that convention centers/hotels are available due to the convention traffic is booked years in advance. So finding a venue in 2008, and even 2009, we would probably not be given an "optimum" date, but rather one that they had trouble booking. Probably wouldn't coincide with what our schedules regarding garden duties would require. Just my thoughts, I always try to find the downsides, so I won't be blindsided by them later. Just MHO.

Jo, I knew that I could count on you to be there!! I want to grow up and be just like you, attend as many RU's as I can schedule.

a convention sounds awesome! but... being too young to drive yet, i would have to drag my dad w/ me, and he doesnt like traveling! i say yall should go for it! if it were entirely up to me, i'd come i a skinny minute!

we don't necessarily need to have it in a building... maybe just open land that someon would let us use...

This message was edited Nov 16, 2007 10:50 PM

Diehrdsouthernr - good point. Kinda like a outdoor festival. Some festivals in our local area are held outdoors, music, food vendors, crafts, things under tents if it rains, etc. A good beginning one. lol.

r30

thanks i just thought of something else... how about maybe splitting up tents for the regional forums so that we can meet people in the area, and then have a tent for every few forums so that we could meet people with similar interests... just a thought

All thoughts appreciated.

I just went to the first African Violet State Convention in Texas. For any success you would need a tremendous amount of workers and a lot of money. You would need vendors . I spent so much money on travel , hotels and was disappointed. The same vendors brought out different plant material each day so you never know what you are going to find.

It was just a wonderful group of real hard working individuals yet..........if it is not organized by professionals, people spend too much money and become disappointed. Even the discounted rate on hotels adds up quickly and so does food.

I don't want to put a damper on this in anyway, but unless a miracle happens financially for all of us, I can't see it happening on a national level anytime soon. I loved meeting all the new people for the first time and seeing their enthusiam with growing.

Just getting to national conventions like the African Violet one in Oklahoma in 08 and gettng to the national Begonia convention in Houston in 2008 are really going to have to be my major vacations next year. (plus running around on the highway in Texas plant shopping)

Once Again

It goes without saying that everyone will not be able to attend. But, the one thing I have found on DG, is that no matter what the obstacle, we gardeners, like roots, can always find a way around it. Lets face it, there are RU's going on all the time and some folks are not able to, or just dont care to attend. When a RU is announced ,people go. Some people can't wait to go, some people never go. That's why I love DG. No pressure.

There are alot of us who would be thrilled to go for a weekend of relaxation and gabbing and shopping for plants and visiting gardens and greenhouses and having workshops and visiting and eating. And we love to get free catalogs and discounts. And to these folks I say, If you would be interested please give us your input.

This is beginning to sound like more of an Exposition!! How exciting! Like a World's Fair for gardeners.