Has there ever been an AW conference?

[Toothpaste]

I know there is a subsection here for all the different mini-gatherings for locals, and I do seem to recall something being organised last year, I think Pee Dee was in charge, but I was curious if there had ever been talk of an AW conference. Sort of in the way Backspace does it. With moderated panels on a variety of subjects, as well as get togethers and stuff. Has it ever been considered?

(and yes I do realise it would be a massive undertaking, just curious if the idea had ever been discussed, and if so what the general feelings towards the idea were)

[PeeDee]

Not me. I wasn't in charge of nuthin. Nossir.

...

There have been attempts. Mostly, they fall on their faces. It's like herding kittens. Or wrangling a puppy. Whichever metaphor works best. I know there are all sorts of small groups of AWers who meet up at conventions and otherwise, but never a grand AWCon.

[katiemac]

If I remember correctly, the farthest we ever got were meet and greets. I don't think panels or conferences were part of that initial consideration.

Certainly sounds fun, though. Are you volunteering? ;)

[Toothpaste]

lol! I knew that would be next line of questioning. There is a part of me that would love to do it, but I just know it would be incredibly time consuming and right now I can't afford the time (also to be fair I wouldn't have clue how to do it - you'd have to book a place to hold the event, have to charge a fee and understand how to do that over the internet. You'd have to arrange panelists. Honestly, I don't know how anyone does it).

Pee Dee sorry! For some reason I remember a thread where people were arranging to meet somewhere, like in a part of the States that was good for many people. Might have been a dream, you were wearing a hat made out of peanut butter.

[PeeDee]

I was involved, but wasn't in charge (I'm not THAT nuts); I think I offered to dye my hair purple, or let Tsuki do it (apparently, I'm exactly THAT nuts).

But it was just a theoretical gathering of people, it wasn't an officially AW-sponsored event.

[Toothpaste]

Ah I see! Did it ever actually happen?

[PeeDee]

Beats me. Don't so. I wasn't involved for very long, I remembered that I was a writer who sometimes forgot to actually put the water in the teapot, and had no business organizing anything larger than a pair of socks consisting of two individual socks.

[rugcat]

There were some preliminary talks about a conference -- Cassiopeia was the informal organizer, and I proposed a possible spot in Utah, near Salt Lake City. There was quite a bit of interest, but it all sort of petered out due to the immense logistic problems of actually putting something together.

[III]

We have them all the time but we don't tell the Canadians :D

[lfraser]

We have them all the time but we don't tell the Canadians :D

Yeah, I figured as much. Blame Canada.

It might be fun to have a Vancouver/Victoria mini-conference.

[TsukiRyoko]

I think we should do it. It did get a good bit of interest, and I know I'd love to have the opportunity to do it.

[III]

I think we should have it in Vegas. So have I spoken, so shall it be.

[Toothpaste]

Dude, I'd so love a Vegas conference. I've always wanted to go there! Count me in!

[PeeDee]

Well, it was about time for the annual "organize ye lot," thread... :)

[Williebee]

My first questions would be:

How does Mac feel about this?
How many active AW'ers are there?
Where do the majority of them live?
How many of the regulars feel strongly enough about a meet up to head/work on a committee?

oh yeah, Anybody seen my keys?

[kdnxdr]

Let's see...........hmmmmmmmm.....oh yeah....I remember PeeDee was promising to wear spandex.

Maybe that's when the whole idea just died out?

I would think you could do a forum search to dig up some incriminating information on the last attempt to put together a gathering.

If it happens, I will do my utmost to be there!

kid

[MacAllister]

Denver, for Worldcon, 2008. I'll be there, and I'm thinking we should plan a get-together.

[kdnxdr]

Great idea! Just can't be May for me, I'm going to France! WAHOOOOOOO!

[Moon Daughter]

That sounds like a great idea, but I'm poor. *boo hoo*

[SpookyWriter]

I think a workshop would solve both desires. We could organize an event for AW'ers to get some exposure to editors, published writers, maybe some agents would participate, and a chapbook series on getting published?

Of course the event would be open to anyone.

[badducky]

Isn't this place like a perpetual virtual convention?

[johnzakour]

Denver, for Worldcon, 2008. I'll be there, and I'm thinking we should plan a get-together.

I like the Denver world con 08 idea. Or do a comic con meet.

[Medievalist]

There are an awful lot of AW folk planning on Denver and WorldCon; Mac's been talking about with folks for over a year.

[KTC]

We have them all the time but we don't tell the Canadians :D

Kiss it.

[III]

Denver, for Worldcon, 2008. I'll be there, and I'm thinking we should plan a get-together.

Hey! My birthday is August 9th so I bet I could sell this as a birthday present idea to my wife. Let's do it!

[ChunkyC]

I don't know yet if I'll be able to pull it off, but Worldcon in Denver is at the top of my list of things I really want to do in '08. Fortunately, it's a 2 hour flight from Calgary, so the airline tickets won't be that expensive. A room on the other hand....

[jamiehall]

There are an awful lot of AW folk planning on Denver and WorldCon; Mac's been talking about with folks for over a year.

Here's the link (http://www.denver2008.com/).

[III]

I don't know yet if I'll be able to pull it off, but Worldcon in Denver is at the top of my list of things I really want to do in '08. Fortunately, it's a 2 hour flight from Calgary, so the airline tickets won't be that expensive. A room on the other hand....

Can we rent a "Ray's Cottage of Love" and everyone just crash there? I'm a regular Dell Griffith when it comes to roomies!

[auntybug]

I'll do shirts with our avatars so we'll know each other. Here was my first victim customer!

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1900392&postcount=17519

(it was actually a Christmas gift from ORPCC to our wonderful MOD)

[Toothpaste]

Is it just a science fiction convention? Is fantasy included under that umbrella?

[JacobWorld]

I have never been to any of a conference like this but I would love to .
Its a shame I am in China now . Maybe you organize some here?

[Sassee]

Denver, for Worldcon, 2008. I'll be there, and I'm thinking we should plan a get-together.

Oh hey, that's my current stomping ground!

Let me know if you guys need hotel / food / whatever info. I might even show up to say hi ;) (before vanishing into the shadows again, that is. Ninjas aren't prone to excessive social outtings!)