Re: AIS:convention (long)
- To: i*@onelist.com
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] AIS:convention (long)
- From: w*
- Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 17:06:40 -0600
- Priority: normal
From: "wmoores" <wmoores@watervalley.net>
> From: FRich93359@aol.com
>
> Hi folks,
> I was just wondering what the attendance was like at the conventions.
>
> thanks,
> Carl
> Fleetwood, PA
> USDA Zone 6
I assume you are talking about an AIS National Convention.
Several factors determine the attendance figures at an AIS
Convention.
Location:
If the convention is in Portland, OR, the count was
nearly 1,100, as I recall. Also, access to the convention
city....York, PA, and Huntsville, AL, have been convention sites,
and with limited airlines, the attendance was much lower.
Attractions:
If you have Schreiner's and Cooley's Gardens on tour, expect
the numbers mentioned above. If you have fewer, smaller gardens
like in Ft. Worth or Dearborn, the crowd was lower. Somewhere in
the 400-500 range, which is probably average. The Bay Area of CA
is another popular site, or was before some of the hybridizers
moved, retired, etc.
Date:
Speaking from my own point of view, if the convention dates
coincide with my own bloom season (like OKC last year and Dallas
next year), I do not consider attending. However, I think only
Phoenix has had an earlier convention than what Dallas will have
(April 15-20), and the early date may attract people whose bloom
seasons are much later. I like the June conventions because the
only things still blooming in my garden are the last of the JI's. I
cannot see working nearly nine months of the year in my own
garden, and then going off and leaving it to see somebody else's
gardens when mine is at its peak boom.
What about Memphis in 2002? Since I am only 70 miles away,
I'll go because I can run home real fast and see if a new
introduction or seedling has bloomed.
Expenses:
Coastal cities may be at a disadvantage for some because of
transportation. Mid-land locations would seem more desirable.
This might also be under location. But, if it is a windy area, forget
it. (That is one reason I moved from Texas. The Fort Worth
Convention was very lucky in that the wind had decided not to blow
that week).
Selecting the most expensive hotel in the area seems to be a
priority with some convention planners. I'll never forget the
Memphis folk selecting the Peabody. Fortunately, across the
street were the Ramada and Day's Inn. Most of the conventioneers
were in the last two mentioned. The most practical site for a
convention I attended was the Holiday Inn in Omaha. The hotel
should also provide an adequate van service, too.
Publicity:
Used to be the January issue of the AIS Bulletin was loaded
with publicity about the upcoming convention, but that has not
been the case in the last several years, and I don't know why.
Seeing previews of the gardens always whetted my appetite for
getting in gear and going to the convention.
The People and the Cookies:
That's the fun part...after the flowers.
This may be getting long, so I will end it at this point. I know I
have left out several things. Feel free to add. Maybe, we can start
a thread!
Walter Moores
Enid Lake, MS 7/8
--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
Accurate impartial advice on everything from laptops to table saws.
<a href=" http://clickme.onelist.com/ad/Productopia2 ">Click Here</a>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
