I have not been able to attend an ARLIS conference in some years, but if my memory serves me correctly, I thought the convocation was one of the initial events of the conference, and not one of its final ones. I can't imagine why it should not be held at the beginning, as it served as a welcoming event to attendees and exhibitors, providing information and announcements as to the events to follow as well as recognizing various achievements and awards over the past year. I suspect that many attendees will not be at the convocation if it is held as the closing event, as most are rushing around to catch planes or packing up to go home (and as some members have noted it can be somewhat boring). Many might decide to skip it and go out to party on their last night.
Perhaps logstics required the change, but in the future perhaps the convocation should be held on the opening night of the conference before whatever large social event is scheduled for later in the evening.
I have exhibited at many of the previous conferences (from 1980 to 2000), and am sorry I cannot be in Atlanta to see old friends and make new ones.
Raymond Smith
R.W. Smith Bookseller
New Haven
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