I'm curious, If someone said they're going to host a free meet, what would you expect and what would motivate you to attend?
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Being able to learn just a little bit of what Raymond Chapman knows makes a trip to Texas more than worth what it will cost me to get there.
Other than that, it depends on the distance and the timing for me. The only thing I would expect from a free meet is the chance to visit with friends, and meet new friends. This is my main reason for attending meets of any price. Sure, I accept the door prizes when I win them, I bring the T-shirts home and hang them in the closet, the food is great, but I can eat at Burger King or Micky D's too. The best part is getting to stand around and BS with people that do the same thing that I do. Plus you are almost guaranteed to learn something even if you never wet a brush.
All of the trinkets make it worthwhile to pay to attend a meet, but the free admittance would make it easier to cover travel expenses, and the meet itself would be worth the travel.
One thing extra I would expect at a free meet... I would expect to get to know the host a little better, because they would not be quite as busy running around trying to make sure everyone was getting their money's worth.
-------------------- Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane. Posts: 2316 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I think less of the food and extras for a cheaper meet attendance fee would work. About the only expenses meet holders should worry about is maybe temporary insurance coverage and enough bathrooms (port-o-potties). Other than that maybe sodas.
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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To me it would be just like a pot luck dinner. No expectations other than eveyone brings a dish of some sort, and if someone wishes to organize the event, they can ensure that not everyone brings a caeser salad. A 'free' meet would mean that there should be no expectations of the host other than supplying the venue for the meet and possibly an itinerary. In such instances if the hosts could recommend places to eat and stay, items to bring such as brushes/paints/panels, and the premise of the meet then everyone should know what to expect.
-------------------- "Are we having fun yet?" Peter Schuttinga DZines Sign Studio 1617 Millstream rd Victoria BC V9B-6G4 Posts: 521 | From: Victoria BC | Registered: Mar 2002
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The truth is there aint no FREE. I'm just happy if I feel I'm getting more value back than I paid in, particularly where food is concerned. $30 to $40 per day is what I'd spend in food costs at a "free" meet - more if I want some beer...If a paying meet gives me coffee and nibbles in the morning, and enough to eat during the day that I don't need to drive off to a restaurant, it was probably a bargain. Other than that, I don't expect much from any meet. T-shirts arent important to me. Paid entertainment, bleh (except Mazeppa's "Joey G Band" street dance which was STELLAR!), a nice sound system with a good selection of tunes can suffice very well.
You know going in that a free meet will focus more on learning, sharing, and general fellowship more glitz. I like that just fine.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Same here, if the organizer says, "Hey, we are going to have a little get-together / meet and all are welcome. So-and-so is going to give us a little demo of her glass guilding on the Pinto (lots of glass)and Jim-bob is gonna stripe and flame the neighbors poodle. Iffn you want, you can bring along your kits, maybe something to paint on, some gold if you want to try that, and maybe a poodle. We have a Domino's delivery shop right across the road and can yell over and tell em to bring us a pie if you get hungry and the Motel6 leaves the lights on all night down by the piggly wiggly." I think that would go a long way at letting people know what was going on.
I like the idea of having get togethers where you get to meet peeps and spend some time talking 'shop' without putting someone through a ton of hastle of gathering everything for everyone that might attend.
-------------------- --If you don't care where you are, you ain't lost.
Tony Potter Blind Mice and Company 3001 Bever Ave. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 (319) 573-9001 www.blindmiceandcompany.com tonypotter@yahoo.com Posts: 209 | From: Cedar Rapids, IA | Registered: Nov 1999
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I think the impetus for our free Gainesville meet in Oct, is if it's not so complicated, maybe we can do it more often. We're just going to break for lunch, anything beyond that food-wise we'll take care of as we go. Really, the panels are not much of an expense, and the amount of other materials & paint are negligible, so I hope that allows us to focus more on what we're doing.I have to admit, that meeting new people is half the fun for me. I hope some people new to the business will come, since there will be some old timers there that really know their stuff. Hopefully, the exposure will create a desire to go to other meets in the future.
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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I wouldnt expect anything of a free meet 'cept getting together with others and learning.
Having some blank panels and paints on hand would be nice, but those could be sponsored or everyone can bring their own.
If you plan on a free meet, I would make sure everyone knows in advance there will be no frills and meals are up to them. To make things convenient you could have a runner go out to pick up lunch after collecting money from those that don't want to leave for lunch, or have pizzas delivered. People will pretty much do what they want about meals anyway, regardless if you provide catering or not.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I've put on a few "free" mini-meets. Perhaps they should be called something else, as usually it's just a simple gathering of Letterheads. But I can tell you this, everyone that's come to my place has always, at the least, enjoyed just sitting around and talking "shop". Sometimes it's nice for Letterheads to get away from the shop, maybe enjoy some snacks, and talk about different techniques or what they've recently gotten their hands & heads into. I don't have suppliers, don't have demo's set up (unless someone offers), don't have classes, or timetables to follow. These little meets are fun. I encourage anyone to start one. Pot luck has worked well. It doesn't cost that much to put some soda's in a cooler, put a platter of meat & cheese on the table. Now, one can get carried away and offer more. Whatever is within your means should always be appreciated by those that show up. There is a certain comraderie that exists among Letterheads - we all know that, and some are still trying to figure out why (who knows?). But I can guarantee the host as well as the attendees will have a good time, just sitting around, chewin' the fat. It's fun being able to put a live face to the BB. No fluff, no frill, no charge. It's worked for me. Bomba-Dear
-------------------- Bomba-Dear Jackie Vaughn #5115 Volcano, California www.chocoholic.com Posts: 761 | From: Volcano, California, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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A Letterhead Meet can take place with as little as 2 people. Traditional weekend meets are wonderful, but I'd love to see other types of gatherings geared towards your local Heads.
What about a Haloween or Christmas Party? Picnics or camping events where the whole family could get involved? A Friday night gathering that rotates monthly between different "local" shops? You get the idea.
I have some personal concerns about our bigger meets. The costs of venues, insurance, food and all the extras we have come to expect at these meets are resulting in meet fees higher than many are willing to pay. The simple solution is to ask our suppliers to "sponsor" our Letterhead Meets.
This might appear to be the answer at first glance, but there is a price to be paid by going this route. Those that pay big bucks to sponsor our traditional meets will demand, and should expext, a say in how our meets are run. Are we prepared to see our larger Letterhead Meets turn into industry trade shows?
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
FREE or otherwise, the number one thing that motivates me to go to a meet is the PEOPLE! There is something to learn from everyone, whether it is sign related or not. It is an added bonus to learn a new trick or skill. The comradery amongst Letterheads is classic.
What would I expect from someone who hosts a FREE meet? A BILL! lol Nothing is FREE, somewhere along the line, someone has to pay...!!!
Seriously, answering the 'Expect' question has frustrated me. I find it difficult to 'expect' anything, from anyone, for FREE. To answer your question, I need to speak in the first person and also speak of my experience attending Letterhead meets:
Pat King, hosted a weekend of 'Duck Soup', for a mere $20.00 per person, all inclusive. I drove from SW Florida to Birmingham, Alabama to rub elbows with 80 some odd people who showed up for the event. (only days after the 9-11 attact on WTC) Twenty dollars, was a drop in the bucket, compared to the travel and accomodation costs, but the people and experience were priceless! Projects and panels were going all weekend long and the food, OMG, it never stopped comming! Pat, will have to speak for himself on whether our $20.00 cover charge actually 'covered' everything... (Pat, if you're lookin' in on this thread; Thanks again for a wonderful time!)
Jimmy Chatham, hosted his Commerce, Georgia meet for $20.00 each. 80 or so, showed for this meet too! (he never expected so many...lol) He didn't supply food, other than donuts and coffee in the mornings, but everything else was there to be had, even Mark Fair and his band enlighted us with their wonderful musical talent... another wonderful experience! Maybe Jimmy can add a note about 'FREE'. (my first Letterhead meet, Thank-You, Jimmy - I charish the memories)
If I considered hosting a FREE, bonified Letterhead meet at my shop, I would budget for the basics, (materials, port-a-potties and food) and I would make everyone aware there is a limited supply of product and to bring your own frills & spills, if you're working on something special. I would hope to secure a couple of 'key players' who have skills and experience to lure enthusiasm, projects and attendence. The more the merrier.
I don't intend to offend anyone who doesn't provide food at a Letterhead meet, but in these parts; We have a NEED to FEED! I prefer to keep everyone together at feeding time, then get back to play time... More than likely, we'd be cookin' on the grill, but if the going got tough, we'd all decide on delivery of something or other, at my expense or a shared effort. I guess, it's just me, I like to keep everyone together and don't want anyone to feel left out or go hungry!
My location (on the pennensula of FL) is a bit out of the way and plenty of travel for most. Not to mention, an overnight stay in a tourist town can be costly, unless ya wanna attempt sleep with roaches, loud music and cheap whores!
If I hosted a FREE meet, I would focus on the 'locals' and consider it an open house of sorts... The draw of those who show, will provide a good medium of those intersted in the Letterhead movement. From there, we'll move on...
Cher.
-------------------- Co-Host: SANDCASTLE Panel Jam 'a Dixie Letterhead Reunion' Fort Myers, Florida
Cheryl Lucas a/k/a "Shag" on mIRC Vital Signs & Graphics, Etc. Cape Coral, Florida 239-574-4713 VSignsNgraphics@aol.com Posts: 987 | From: Cape Coral, FL USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Cheryl Lucas: Not to mention, an overnight stay in a tourist town can be costly, unless ya wanna attempt sleep with roaches, loud music and cheap whores!
You say that like it's a bad thing!
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I would like to see more meets period. Someone please tell me if I am thinking wrong, but here is my 2 cents worth.
Last year when R.T. Thomas and I hosted the meet here I thought the biggest task in preparation was getting door prizes. I felt like I was begging, and no one (or almost no one) likes to beg.
I also wonder if it is a burden on our vendors, as they are constantly sending out "freebies" for meets.
I was amazed at my first meet, "duck Soup" that everyone got a door prize. It had always been my experience that a door prize was given to a lucky winner or two not everyone.
I like all the meets and each one seems to have it's own personality.
I think we would benefit from small gatherings that did not require much preparation. We do all have a business to run. What's wrong with snaggin' a sandwich for lunch? We do it while we are working. More meets!
I am hoping I can make it to Raymond Chapman's gathering. I NEED help! I think a small informal meet would also be more personal.
Don't get me wrong, the big ones are appreciated. All meets are great to attend and all we expect is to get together, enjoy the company, and learn something.
-------------------- Kathy Joiner River Road Graphics 41628 River Road Ponchatoula, La.70454
Old enough to know better...Too young to resist. Posts: 1891 | From: Ponchatoula, LA | Registered: Nov 2000
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I've been to free meets where persons like Allan Johnson, Mister J, Glen Weisgerber, Russ Maury and a bunch of others were there, panels as well as food for both the head and stomach. Granted that was sometime back but also have been to meets like that on the west coast as well. I guess it all depends on whats offered and how much one wants compared to how much one gives. I'm personally not interested on meets that cost an arm and a leg just to attend and visit with a few friends, I can visit anyone I feel like and I'm welcomed to boot.
This reply is not a flame towards anyone but I think that a lot of meets get out of hand with what some are asking for fees. Heck, ya could come to my place and get free hands on training till ya get blue in the face, just bring your own kit
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
You funny dude, Mikey! Me, can deal with the whores, but the LOUD music,...well, if I like it, that's okay too! LOL Sheesh!
While I 'composed' my response to this thread, several others responded... Dang, does that mean I'm slow...(?) Okay, I was busy...
Joey, we 'can' visit who we want... (I've written a paragraph about meeting you, and deleted it...what's that all about?)
Kathy, one of the most important things for our Sandscastle meet was support from our vendors.
PLEASE, don't feel guilty for asking for support from our Vendors....
...In Big Marketing, the 'guys' who provide product, NEED our support and want US to SEE their product... They want US to BUY from them! It's a part of the BIG picture! Really, think about it; if 'they' don't show up, WHO will notice them? It's a BIG deal, and BIG business!
Cher.
Oh dear, am I going to host a FREE meet? At least you all will be for-warned!
Cher...
-------------------- Co-Host: SANDCASTLE Panel Jam 'a Dixie Letterhead Reunion' Fort Myers, Florida
Cheryl Lucas a/k/a "Shag" on mIRC Vital Signs & Graphics, Etc. Cape Coral, Florida 239-574-4713 VSignsNgraphics@aol.com Posts: 987 | From: Cape Coral, FL USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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I'll start by saying that our place is different, and so of course our meetings are.
letterhead meetings in Oz happened only once a year and people from all over the country came
big country, small population meant that travel distances and costs of accomidation keep the price to attend very high indeed
meetings here were orginaly put on by a token host with the finances controled by the NSW Sign Association, these earlier meetings were indeed a fund rasing exercise for the Assoc. and so there were margins built into the registration fees to add to their coffers
a handfull of folk started asking why, and after a while decided that it had to stop!
in 1999 the anual meeting held in qld was the first national one which was run exactly as I beleive they should be... the host was incharge and it was a great success!
also during that year the first 'lowercase' heads meeting was held 11 of us took the oportunity to get together for a weekend to work on a sign resto it was a free meeting with suppliers donating the paint... we had a ball!
in 2000 we had 4 smaller (lowercase) meetings that were all free to attend we camped in paddocks and cheaper motels and ate BBQ's with gold coin dontaions for everything (coffee,coke,sausage sanga's)
one of those meeting devo and I hosted... and guess what? it made a .74c profit
I think the answer is as always, smaller meetings and lots of them, like Steve said you only need 2 people to get it happening
most of us are more than willing to rough it a little
in Oz, the suppliers donate the majority of what we use at any meeting and are happy to do so
it's simple economics...for them to attend a trade show to showcase the products they want us, their customers, to use it costs them big $$$'s
to donate a small amount of those same products to letterheads (tax deductable) gets their message across quicker and dare I say cheaper in the long run
what we have found over the years of course is that these same suppliers have become letterheads themselves... they want to learn and be a part of it all!
we still have the need in Oz for the national meeting and it will still cost money to have all the bells n whistles, but each host can have exactly what they want now and most have done a great job of keeping the prices down
for those of us who want to attend a free meeting, it's simple... host one!
cheers gail
-------------------- Gail & Dave Hervey Bay Qld Australia
gail@roadwarriorproducts.com.au
sumtimes ya just gota! Posts: 794 | From: 552 O'Regans Creek Rd Toogoom Qld 4655 Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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we have 3-4 of us that try to get together monthly. We usually pool money for lunch. Ww rotate from shop to shop. We would love for others in the area to join in. If interested call for info.
posted
Ryan..Take that comment back, kiss Donald on his bald head, and make up!!!!!!!!!
You guys are a hoot!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
When I was in California, I once attended a monthly meeting of piano technicians, they called it a "guild meeting". ( Sounds cool, eh?) It was just a local thing, but interesting to sit in on.
There is a gal here in town, named Dana, skilled in the sign trade. About 7 or 8 years ago she worked at establishing some communication between Letterheads and sign people in this area. I don't remember the meetings featuring any teaching or panels or such, but I did get to meet other sign people. I think I'm still occaisionaly getting referals from one of the vinyl only shops.
I met a graphiti guy that was interested in learning lettering. I'm toying with the idea of having an "Artists night" maybe bi-monthly where the emphasis would be on instruction, but not limited to signs.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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More meets, right on. See this post really opened my eyes, even though I know there are folks who went out of their way to supply things for each of their meets. I figure there is no right and wrong, as each has had to formulate their own creative setup.
And, it does sound like a regular party/block party to me, with a professional and worthwhile cause. I really liked it at Don's Dixie meet up north, where everyone bought their own aprons at the craft store, if they wanted, and the silk screen press was right there. It was hands on if you wanted. I was really impressed with that setup, as I haven't been around a handmade screen setup for ages, and I got an education again. The logo was cool too (getting squirrely at the Dixie meet up north). Some us put on glitter to the wet ink, and they dazzled! I am so thrilled with this since I watched it being made! To hang out with the masters of art is so much fun, I never would call it work, unless I needed an excuse to get out of town, shhhhhh. Even though Don and Dora put on a terrific extravaganza of food cooked by their famous relatives at the grill,(mmmmm, mmmm!) the food could be potluck, instead if you wanted, or haul a six pack or crackers, candy or whatever if you are flying. I think that in some situations this setup would be nice, and then stick around to help clean up too. It would be most beneficial to have more meets, I agree. Gee, when I hear about the meets that I didn't get to go to, I always regret a bit, since I know they were put on with heart, body and soul. Just can't get to ones far away very easily these days, as the Auto Art meet going on right now! It's more time than money this time, though.
[ September 27, 2003, 02:25 AM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Yesterday, I had some time to stop by and visit a friend, Sam, who started a small vinyl sign shop a couple of years ago with his brother, Dave. After describing how I've gotten involved with Letterhead meets, Sam told me how much he wanted to improve his computer skills and design and Dave said he was interested in learning airbrushing. Another of Sam's employees and I talked for a while about Coreldraw. Before I'd left, we'd discussed having a small "meet" at his shop sometime soon and I gave them the Letterhead website address. Now it occurs to me reading this post we just did...YESTERDAY!
Like the major said, it only takes 2 sign guys talking shop to start. Then one tells another, and so on, and so on, and so on...
Suddenly I have this urge to shampoo my hair... Rapid
(edited 'cause is rote reading rong)
[ September 27, 2003, 07:34 AM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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It was for a good cause and sponsors came out of the woodwork. It only cost participants travel, a couple evening meals and accomodation ... some of that was free to those who bunked down in the hall.
Even the meet t-shirts were sold at cost. The only profit made by anyone was pure satisfaction and enjoyment
It can be done. Just find a project and put out the word!
posted
The expenses involved are proportional to te amount of planning needed. If you have a dozen folks getting together for a Saturday then it's easy to do a freebee.
Some of the three day meets we've hosted have cost us approximatly a months production. There is now way to expect everyone else to pool in to make up for the loss, I need to just think about it being my contribution to the furthering of our community. Otherwise it becomes a business.
When you start requesting material donations from suppliers and they want recognition for their contribution then you start getting into the realm of needing planning. Spaces for the stripers and vehicles to stripe. Then do you give the lines to the vehicle owners or charge? And where does the money go? Then there are the gilders that expect the gold to be provided? Panels and paints? It gets simple when folks bring their own stuff, but we tend to cross over into the realm of others.
I expect a fun and simple day of fellowship and play from a freebee meet, that is probably filled with more personality than big meets could ever touch. I expect to leave a freebee meet with closer friendships, warm memories, a desire to get together again soon, and some challenge to develop a new skill I was exposed to.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6810 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Good post...I've been to all different types of meets some with everything and some with just the necessities.There are always expenses incurred by the host...however there are no "overhead costs" (the shop is going to be there anyway) and the utilities are minimal to the overall cost per year.
Sure there is time lost gearing down from production and gearing up after...but thats the hosts investment in having his "own" good time, anyone not interested in that sacrifice best not "host".
The term "Free" in our society implies something less than grand...the truth is the meet is only as good as the people attending it make it.
We have "begged" the suppliers so much over the years that I'm sure they are getting gun shy about someone "donating" materials for the meets (especially those in areas where the meets come one after another). Truth is I have enough "old" materials and scrap materials in my shop to do a small meet without ever bugging a supplier.The up side is I can restock with newer materials after the meet.
Food is always an issue...but consider this ...you have to eat no matter what so why not offer up what it would cost you for food and fly in a pizza or mexican food...or what ever.
Free? sure lets have em...but don't be afraid to ask enough to cover catering so you don't have people coming and going all day and missing some of the special moments that happen while they were away.
I avoid the seminar meets mostly because I don't want to pay someones elses expenses for travel (those presenting the seminar) I feel like they can make their own way (I do).
Smaller meets are more intimate and one on one...I love that..
Aaaany more here and I'd be rambling.
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
posted
Ryan, people have decided they don't like you anymore, so stop coming
Monte has summed up my feelings pretty well, gee why doesn't that suprise me?
Rick brought up an interesting obsevation about charging for the vehicles striped and lettered. It sure would be nicer and make more sense if these people were charged and the fee split between the artists and the meet. We always talk about leaving money on the table, here's an excellent example.
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
posted
George, we had a guy that just finished his funny car and wanted a nice striping job. I told him of the upcoming meet at out shop and invited him to bring it and have several quality auto decorators coordinate their efforts on it. He showed, and they did it. Now, we can't just give it away, especially since he first came to our shop as a paying customer. I think he was real happy to hang out and watch his truck transformed and pay somewhere around $400 at the end of the day. The whole lot of us went to an Indian restaurant for dinner and the bill and tip came to the amount of the trucks fee. Jer Barlow did most of the work on this truck, and I want to thank him again for his generosity and giving spirit.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6810 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Going to a meet is no different to me than chosing to be a resident on this online meet.
I've always chosen to pay my own way (at least) through life, and I expect to pay my way whether at meets or online. If everyone else had the same philosophy then resident drives on this board would not have to be such a big issue, I guess some people like to have others pay for their ride. It's got nothing to do with content 'contributions'. We all get much more than we can possibly contribute from that point of view.
-------------------- Mike O'Neill
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value. - Arthur C. Clarke
I expect a cuddle from Gail, I expect to be blown up by Devo and Chumly, several times, I expect John Jordan to cast a critical eye across my work and tell where I have gone wrong, I expect to be amazed by the number of hours that seem to be in Ian Stewart-Kosters day, about 67 I think judging by the sheer volume of fantastic work that he does, I expect to hear Vicki use bad language, I expect to shake my head with bewilderment at the talent and drinking abilities of Darren, Dan, Heath and Kev, I expect to cack myself laughing at Kel and Bushie after they have had too many wines, I expect to catch up with old friends, I expect to make some new ones, I expect to learn many new things,
These things are free, but I would gladly pay for them all.
[ September 29, 2003, 02:15 AM: Message edited by: David O'Hanlon ]
-------------------- Army Dave Oz Posts: 229 | From: Brisbane, Oz | Registered: Feb 2002
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I also wouldn't expect anything but a chance to meet some others. I would like to see some in the MD, PA, VA area. We are in MD and it is to much to get to the others that are to far from here. So, when are we having one???
posted
First..I just typed up a long reply, and tried the spellcheck option at the bottom of the page. I applied the changes and it eliminated my post.
OK...I host a free meet each spring.
"Free" meaning it doesn't cost a dime to attend. The 3 day meet includes catered meals, continental breakfasts, coffee, soda and snacks. Materials to work with AND on are free (that being, panels, paint, gold, etc). We also have music, impromptu seminars, and the use of my shop equipment and computers.
I pull this one off with: *LOTS of hard work and planning *About $500. out of pocket *The generous support of some great manufacturers
I'm not going to start preaching the benifits of corporate sponsorship...that same discussion turned into a real ****ing contest here a couple months back...but that's what makes it possible.
Anyone who's interested in putting together such an event, I'd be happy to share my experiences with. Anyone who's attended "PanelRama" in the past, you'll be getting something in the mail in December.
So yes, there are free meets. And what to expect is directly relative by what efforts went into planning it.
Keep on keepin' on,
Brian Briskie
Posts: 465 | From: / | Registered: Jan 2000
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My post edited itself. The word that I used to describe the situation here in August, was a slang term for "urination", just in case you wondered what I said that was substituted with "****"
Posts: 465 | From: / | Registered: Jan 2000
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