Volunteers for Conference committee

I nominate Randy Judd Harrison as the Transportation Guru.

All in favor, say..aye.

It is unanimous. Thank you very much, Randy. If we can ever decide if we are even gong anywhere or where or when, we will be depending on you. If you would like to make a chart with destinations to and from everywhere so we may choose, please feel free.



roflmho

What about area Conventions...all going on at the same time and perhaps connected by TVs? Not 50 of them...but perhaps 5 or 6 areas of the US. Doesn't help our foreign members...but it might help some others who wouldn't be able to cross the US to attend?

Sorry if this doesn't fit the profile - but would there be a benefit to planning this as a "satellite" event to a regional Garden Show - the kind that has plant/garden displays, vendors, talks on various gardening situations, garden items and plants to purchase? If the DG conference was at the same time in a nearby location - some or all of the other things could be taken advantage of as a group. That would be a way of starting "small" and learning the ropes.

Whew was a good thing I didn't elaborate on the travel, lodging I was going to mention the fact alot of places give discounts if rooms are booked in numbers but stopped since we hadn't gotten that far so to speak.
I second your nomination for rjuddharrison..rofl...ayes have it.

Thought just crossed my mind but is just a thought depending on where it is and if anyone has connections if it were to take place during a time when school is not in session MAYBE it would be possible to get a school bus form the area school to use for transporting people to and from the "convention" if it were not with in walking distance OR if by chance something is set up to tour gardens or nurseries...some places "rent out" buses.
I will step up here on that note and say I would be more then willing to be the driver since I am a School bus driver and have done so for going on over 12 years now.

That's something of what I said earlier. Not at the same time though. Each state, or region could have their own convention. That would help with the travel for those in Oregon who couldn't get to Florida, or Californians to W.Virginia. Then we could have a national convention later on. And no they shouldn't be at the same time. In that way there wouldn't be the scramble for the same speakers or vendors.

mmm or the possibility of having the "sessions" video taped making the available per say to each state or region say 5 per state (just using the terms state loosely as I know we are international) then it could travel form DGer to DGer to view and take notes ...OR ..for the cost of the tape/dvd and mailing make it available to purchase...so those that can not afford to travel but still want to gain new /more info could.

Who has really outstanding flower shows aside from Philly?

the University of Illinois in Urbana used to have a beautiful flower garden every year and plant sales but I haven't been to any since my grandma passed away a number of years ago and never thought to ask my mom on the phone if they still have it all. ...lol

I just Googled 2007 Flower shows and 2008 Flower Shows. Each had quite a list of cities and states.

This idea certanly has the freedom to go any direction you may want. The original idea is more for the DGers to meet each other...socially. The education part we do almost daily on the forums. Not to say it should be left out. The business of latching onto an established show would really take care of a lot of the problems of logistics. This is ONLY A FOR INSTANCE. Neil Sperry sponsors a Home & Garden Show every summer at the Arlington Convention Center. For an instant reference, it is part of the BallPark where the Texas Rangers are based and the new Cowboy's stadium is being built. Halfway between Dallas/Ft.Worth. Very accessible to DFW and Love Airports, and many interstate hwys. There are probably other shows around the country that are comparable.

McGlory, DraperyLady,Mitch.....whooohooo, where are you?

I'm here lurking. Can't speak for the other pair. :-)

Trish has volunteered to put up a banner and a the voting booth. We just have to come up with the wording. Should we wait until after New Year's, go for it now? I really don't know. Not my decision anyway. I am Madame Cheerleader.
Comments?

I don't think it matters unless there's a significant difference between DG traffic in December and DG traffic in January.

I'll be glad to help anyway you need me!!!

Jeri

The holiday timeframe doesn't make any difference to how I would vote, but then I continue to remain summerkid during December. Apparently this isn't the same for many people?!

The traffic is at its lowest in Dec. Of course, the regular members don't seem to drop off in that month, but new traffic drops.

This message was edited Nov 26, 2007 12:10 PM

When would you advise, Trish.

By the time the conference happens, the new people will be regulars.
:-)

I see nothing wrong with soon, but it's up to you guys.

I am here - just hanging low after a few emails.

Maybe this could be set up something like the photo vote and run for more than just a week. Still just brainstorming.

I have an idea...

no one wants to be the big leader right?

So what is we had a board instead?

I think 5 people - jus thinking off my head here...

I would be willing to be part, I think LouC, and McGlory, and maybe Draperylady... and one more? We could each use our best parts to get the job done - maybe in a new forum just for this?



The question... ok how about

Would you go to a Daves Garden Conference?

No - no matter what
Yes - only if the location was close and I could drive
Yes - only if the cost was less then 100
Yes - only if the cost was less then 200
Yes - if I at all can!!

Yes - only if the cost was less than 100. Considerably less than that for an entrance fee, I'd hope. I'm not a good organizer for these kinds of things - I see little details, not big pictures. But you can put me down for helping at the registration table when the time comes! :-)

I wouldn't call it a conference---conjures up boring old meetings. Call it a National Roundup or something like that.

Round Up? You know I'll be there...if it isn't too far down the road...I'm already 73 and counting!

Marylyn...I'll sure help at registration! Jo

Hey Mitch
I am opening my mouth and inserting foot here ...lol...as I told LouC miss cheerleader there I am here to help

I like the sound of a National Roundup too as we know RU is fun and conference yes does make me think of boring meetings

I could probably help with the organizing, depending on what it is I might need to do.
Let me know what kind of help you need.
Josephine.

I'm with Marilyn,
I see details also...not good at planning something big, but place me in some capacity (if the NR is held in Houston or Dallas, for example) at the convention....well, anything except trash detail! haha

Connie from Austin

Has anyone defined how this would be different from a Round-Up?

We already have round-ups in all parts of the US that are working very well on their own (I believe Iowa's had the largest attendance this year). Those people were really organized and have it together so well they are doing a repeat next year in Cedar Rapids. Seeing as they have it all "in place" why not designate a National Round-Up every two or three years at the established Round-Ups.

For instance, you would contact the Cedar Rapids group and say you would like to make 2009 a National Round-up in their city. Then you would add helping hands to what ever they need to make it more special. They have the basics down and are good at it.

Why re-invent the wheel?

Yes - this is not for trading, this is for getting together and talking, listening to speakers, and getting the best places to set up so we can shop. It will help us bond if you will, it will help us learn more then we could think about with the speakers and it will give us some great deals shopping! For a whole weekend.

Round Ups are more small, single gatherings with food and trading plants, they last but a few hours and then people go home. ..

Hi Mitch, great to see your input. I can't wait til this comes to be. It will be an awesome weekend. I'm just an dmail away should I be needed for any of the planning.

thank you - you have been a big help already drapelady.

I love, love, love the attitudes that are beginning to crop up. Not IF this happens, but WHEN it happens everyone is ready to do their part. I expect their will be a lot of *parts*. Another beautiful day in the neighborhood.

"I have always wanted to have a neighbor
Just like you!
I've always wanted to live in a
Neighborhood with you.
So let's make the most of this beautiful day;
Since we're together we might as well say,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?" author Fred Rogers aka Mr. Rogers

Count me in for a National DavesGarden RoundUp located 'somewhere in central USA'.

My 2 cents is this: If we have speakers, hopefully some of them would be more advanced than just 'beginner' level. It's important for the beginners to have seminars, but it seems the workshop/seminars sometimes are just Too elementary.

Please just put this in as a thought for planning.

And thank you very much.

Thank you, Flower.

I would love a hands on demonstration of propagation of some of these plants. There are some gorgeous hybridizations of morning glories, brugs, hibs, and others that I would love to watch the process used to create some of these things.

Anne

Mitch,
Come to the Iowa Round-Up next May - we have activiities for 3 days; every round-up in every region tends to be a little different but they are all in their own way delightful.

Because Iowa has so much organized for us over 3 days I think it is a good prototype for a National DG event.

Go back and read the threads for the most recent one we had in May and you will see what I am referring to. McGlory knows because she was there-no sitting in rooms for presentations but gardens to visit, garden tours of DG gardens, and interesting nurseries and shops that gave us discounts if we shopped there.

Regards

Still that is diffrent then what we are talking about - we have two big ones a year and they are all day things but not longer. Still diffrent - this would not just have tours, but speakers with real knowlegde - and the vendors would come to us.

I hope it can be worked out; but it would have to offer more than a round-up for people to come from such great distances since we already have so many great round-ups in place.

TLC, I agree.

Well, some people go long distances to meet other people who like the same things they like, so if people can go along way to talk to others about Star Treck or some other silly thing, why wouldn't we go a long way to meet people whom we communicate with on a daily basis, but have never met?
I would go a long way, just for the fun of meeting such lovely people.
Josephine.