I know that in Atlanta, the timing of the convocation and reception is due to the availability of the High Museum as a reception venue on Sunday night.  If events such as these are planned at the conference hotel, and not offsite, there would likely be more flexibility for scheduling.  However, we’ve had in recent years a tradition of holding the convocation event (or at least the reception) at a more interesting and enlightening place for the attendees.   It’s all a trade off, I suppose.           Often these venues are available to us as gifts-in-kind, but only during limited days/times.   

 

--Ann Lindell

 

 

I second the recommendations from Bill Walker and Wolfgang Freitag about moving the Convocation back to either a more "centralized placement" or to an earlier point in the conference.

  On this same note, what seems to be happening is that the entire ARLIS/NA conference is beginning earlier, i.e., workshops on Thursday, so that the Convocation tends to be toward the end of the conference.  Why are we moving backward?  Why not forward?  Previously, the workshops were on Friday and then the conference sessions/committee mtgs. were on Saturday and the conference ended on Tuesday.  As we may recall, many often left early on Tuesday.  Now we have a similar scenario on Monday due to the reversed scheduling of the entire conference.  I recommend that the CPAC re-visit the conference schedule.   BJ

----- Original Message -----

From: [log in to unmask]">William Walker

To: [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]

Sent: Friday, March 23, 2007 00:28

Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] convocation

 

One more "vote" for an early convocation:         I join Joan Benedetti and Ray Smith in wondering why (when?) the convocation ceased to be an opening event of the conference rather than being nearer the closing.  That change has been instituted since 1994, when I retired, and doesn't seem to make sense if "convocation" were construed to be a coming together to begin a series of meetings.   As an opening ceremony it provided a good occasion for meeting old friends and new, socially, before getting to the business ahead. 

 

Doubtless there has been some good reason for the present arrangement, probably mandated by the Board.      

 

Anyway, have a good conference in Atlanta.          Cheers from Bill Walker, Canaan NY

 

On Mar 21, 2007, at 9:53 AM, Raymond Smith wrote:

    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