Re: GWA Meeting Critique

**"gardendesign" g*@enter.net**

Sheri:

I'm going to take on a much broader subject than just your
response.  This E-mail is disturbing:

> Even though I have only been able to attend one symposium
> - the one in Chicago - I will put my two cents worth in.
> 
> Some of us - myself included - feel that the hotel cost is
> very prohibitive. The GWA should have bargaining power to
> bring that cost down. Many visitors bureaus and many
> hotels are happy to sponsor writers. While we are a large
> group and that may be somewhat cost prohibitive in
> comparison to a group of say 20, we should be able to get
> rooms cheaper than we are getting.
> 
> Another really negative aspect is if you don't go to the
> symposium you miss a lot of press releases, information
> and samples. Why can't there be some way to get some of
> the information and those samples to us? For example what
> if the people at the trade show brought enough information
> and/ or samples that could be boxed and sent as a group to
> those wishing to receive it who cannot attend the show?
> Some of us might even be willing to pay a small fee to
> have that.
> 
> The Chicago Symposium was very tiring - and I am only 36
> now. I missed the last day because I was exhausted and
> simply could not make it.
> 
> Seminars - maybe you could offer a "Beginners" and an
> "Advanced" taught back to back by the same person or
> people. You could opt to attend one or both. I do agree
> the seminars are only a "Taste" of the "Whole Enchilada."
> Frankly, I want to learn and am more than willing to pay
> extra to get that education. That is what I expected when
> I went to the symposium in Chicago. The brief information
> was good but frankly I did not improve my writing skills
> or photography skills while I was there. Maybe there
> should be some "hands on" sessions with the speakers. 
> 
> Another suggestion - there used to be a contest (back when
> I first joined GWA - Orlando Symposium) that you could
> enter to get your symposium costs paid for. I have not
> heard of that contest in some time. I remember you wrote
> an essay (I think) and someone was chosen. I think there
> should be a contest like this for all symposiums. If it
> still exists than it should be publicized more so those of
> us on the low end of the pay scale might be able to
> attend. 
> 
> While I am on a roll here - this list used to be really
> informative. I loved it when I first joined. It was one of
> the reasons being a GWA member was so valuable to me. I
> would like to see this list like that again. I learned
> more from this list than anywhere else.
> 
> Sheri
> http://www.exoticgardening.com
> http://www.sheriannricherson.com
> 
> 
> 
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