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2014 AMEX Conference in Baltimore


ORH_wxman

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Hi ya'll,

 

I already know many of you will not be attending the conference, so for those that are not, you can ignore this thread...but for those of you who haven't decided or have not been to one and are somewhat interested, you should take a minute to click up on the conference banner at the top of the forum.

 

There is a very good set of speakers this year on Saturday. It is a great opportunity too to meet many other people from different regions as well.

 

 

Yours truly will be giving a presentation during the Friday workshop (along with a sneak preview of how the 2014 developing El Nino may affect the upcoming winter).

 

 

There's a good chance this could be the last conference so for those who are undecided, you should jump on the opportunity. We try to carpool on the way down and such to keep costs low should that be an issue for you....also there is a roomshare thread in the conference forum here:

 

http://www.americanwx.com/bb/index.php/forum/35-american-weather-conference-2014/

 

 

 

So jump at the opprtunity to be at the last conference (at least for a few years). You can meet legends like Paul Kocin (he's the "K" part of KU when we talk snowstorms for you newbies) and have a chance to meet other members of the forum.

 

 

Another link:

 

 

http://conference.americanwx.com/

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As a past attendee of 4 of these, they are well worth it.  I've met some great people from these Forums as well as some of the greatest minds in the MET field.

 

I had planned on attending this year but, unfortunately, circumstances beyond my power are preventing me.

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Can't WAIT to see your presentation, Will.  Is Ekster going?  Hope to see him, too!

 

I will be bringing my poster on a comparison between the Blilzzard of '78 vs. the Blizzard of '13.  I may also bring along my laptop.  If I do, I have a PowerPoint show about the Blizzard of '13 as well.  

 

PLEASE consider attending the conference if you can!!!  It's FANTASTIC, and GREAT speakers will be there.  Considering the current attendance and costs, this will likely be the LAST conference ever held.  Attend if you can, before there are no more.

 

--Turtle  

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Can't WAIT to see your presentation, Will.  Is Ekster going?  Hope to see him, too!

 

I will be bringing my poster on a comparison between the Blilzzard of '78 vs. the Blizzard of '13.  I may also bring along my laptop.  If I do, I have a PowerPoint show about the Blizzard of '13 as well.  

 

PLEASE consider attending the conference if you can!!!  It's FANTASTIC, and GREAT speakers will be there.  Considering the current attendance and costs, this will likely be the LAST conference ever held.  Attend if you can, before there are no more.

 

--Turtle  

 

 

I think Ekster is a gametime decision based on schedule...if he comes, then he's probably going to do a workshop too right before or after mine.

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Why is this likely going to be the last one? Not enough interest?

 

Randy says that every year.  Although he held his word last year as there was no conference.  If anything this will probably be held every other year as opposed to every year.  

 

Interest certainly does play a part in it, however, the amount of work and effort that goes into these things does take a toll.  Finding a hotel, doing all the behind the scenes work here...(dealing with hotel managers to get decent pricing for room costs, getting rooms for the presentations, catering for the dinner), contacting speakers and trying to get a solid lineup, worrying about how many will attend so the cost fees can be met.  

 

It would be great to have a much larger gathering but not everyone can commit to such a thing...travel expenses, family situations, work, etc.  

 

These conferences have been wonderfully put together though and the combination of not only learning but getting together with your online friends, and meeting new people...it's always a fantastic time.  

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It sounds like this might actually be the last conference. In addition to what Wiz said, even this year the turnout isn't as great as we'd like to see and many people who signed up haven't paid yet. It's a lot of work and stress to deal with all of that, let alone all the effort that goes into organizing/setting up the conference itself.

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It sounds like this might actually be the last conference. In addition to what Wiz said, even this year the turnout isn't as great as we'd like to see and many people who signed up haven't paid yet. It's a lot of work and stress to deal with all of that, let alone all the effort that goes into organizing/setting up the conference itself.

 

 

Yes, I'm pretty sure it is the last one...or at the very least for the next few years.

 

Hopefully some folks have second thoughts and decide to attend. They are worth it...esp with this year's speakers.

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As Will said in another thread, flights aren't all that bad, and there are people driving down.  

 

I really feel badly for Randy.  He really puts himself out in putting these conferences together.  We SAY we want these conferences, yet very few actually take the time to go.  Yes, I realize that we make plans well ahead of when the dates are announced, and those things can't be avoided.  However, when others stupidly skip out because of other reasons (which I won't go into), that's their fault! There are AMAZING speakers at this conference, wanting to share their expertise with us.  And what happens...hardly anyone shows up.  Such a shame.  <off soapbox>

 

Sadly, it does look like the last conference due to such a poor turnout.  Many reasons why, personal for those that originally wanted to attend and now can not, and other behind the scenes really STUPID stuff.  I won't go there.  Hey, it would be great if we could hold these, but one does have to think about the finances and time of running them.  I just hope Randy doesn't take a bath financially because of this one.

 

All I know is...at this time in two weeks time, I'll be down in the bar (well, maybe not THIS late!  HEHE) hooking up with a great bunch of friends.  

 

--Turtle  

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As Will said in another thread, flights aren't all that bad, and there are people driving down.

I really feel badly for Randy. He really puts himself out in putting these conferences together. We SAY we want these conferences, yet very few actually take the time to go. Yes, I realize that we make plans well ahead of when the dates are announced, and those things can't be avoided. However, when others stupidly skip out because of other reasons (which I won't go into), that's their fault! There are AMAZING speakers at this conference, wanting to share their expertise with us. And what happens...hardly anyone shows up. Such a shame. <off soapbox>

Sadly, it does look like the last conference due to such a poor turnout. Many reasons why, personal for those that originally wanted to attend and now can not, and other behind the scenes really STUPID stuff. I won't go there. Hey, it would be great if we could hold these, but one does have to think about the finances and time of running them. I just hope Randy doesn't take a bath financially because of this one.

All I know is...at this time in two weeks time, I'll be down in the bar (well, maybe not THIS late! HEHE) hooking up with a great bunch of friends.

--Turtle

My $0.02:

I think it would be a good idea not to have any more conferences for at least a few years. I'd hate to say never again, but obviously there are issues. If we are to ever have another conference, we need to somehow find a way to rebuild and revive this community, and make it a place where old-timers are happy to post and where new members are regularly not only coming in but truly becoming part of this place.

Something has changed in the past 3-5 years, and a lot of old-timers aren't happy about what the board has turned into.... the difference between now and then is pretty drastic. Back then, the conference subforum would be simmering with joy and excitement in the weeks leading to it, and in the end sometimes close to 100 people attended. I think you summed up the reasons well.

I don't know all the answers, but I hope whoever has the most influence can help improve this place enough that Amwx once again has a good reputation among the core members here. As for me, I'll be there Friday and Saturday and I look forward to seeing all of you who are attending, as well as Wes, Paul Kocin, and yes, even DT. I'm also excited to see your blizzard presentation :)

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I think the issue is time. Balancing work, family, and personal times means summer is a bad time for a conference at least for me. I went to the early ones but job is more complicated now-60 hours most weeks meaning weekend is rest and family time.

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My $0.02:

I think it would be a good idea not to have any more conferences for at least a few years. I'd hate to say never again, but obviously there are issues. If we are to ever have another conference, we need to somehow find a way to rebuild and revive this community, and make it a place where old-timers are happy to post and where new members are regularly not only coming in but truly becoming part of this place.

Something has changed in the past 3-5 years, and a lot of old-timers aren't happy about what the board has turned into.... the difference between now and then is pretty drastic. Back then, the conference subforum would be simmering with joy and excitement in the weeks leading to it, and in the end sometimes close to 100 people attended. I think you summed up the reasons well.

I don't know all the answers, but I hope whoever has the most influence can help improve this place enough that Amwx once again has a good reputation among the core members here. As for me, I'll be there Friday and Saturday and I look forward to seeing all of you who are attending, as well as Wes, Paul Kocin, and yes, even DT. I'm also excited to see your blizzard presentation :)

 

 

We only had 1 year where near 100 people attended. That was 2008 when it was in Crystal City. Usually it was in the 50-60 range.

 

 

This year it is half that. It is too bad.

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the summer is a tough time of year to be honest. Actually, most times of the year are tough, people have such jam packed schedules nowadays. I would love to have attended this conference and meet the people i converse with daily, but being in school and having to work full time in the summer makes it nearly impossible. With the cost of college, i really cant afford to take the time off. People also plan vacations years in advance sometimes and that renders them unable to attend.

 

I actually think the attendance of a winter conference might be better for a couple reasons. For some, the winter is a slower time than the fast paced summer, and there is not as much planned or not as much to do. Also, this board is much more active in the winter than summer, so more people would be exposed to the advertising for the conference, and it would give more people a chance to participate.

 

I dont envy the setup for this event, especially when the turnout is poor

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the summer is a tough time of year to be honest. Actually, most times of the year are tough, people have such jam packed schedules nowadays. I would love to have attended this conference and meet the people i converse with daily, but being in school and having to work full time in the summer makes it nearly impossible. With the cost of college, i really cant afford to take the time off. People also plan vacations years in advance sometimes and that renders them unable to attend.

 

I actually think the attendance of a winter conference might be better for a couple reasons. For some, the winter is a slower time than the fast paced summer, and there is not as much planned or not as much to do. Also, this board is much more active in the winter than summer, so more people would be exposed to the advertising for the conference, and it would give more people a chance to participate.

 

I dont envy the setup for this event, especially when the turnout is poor

 

 

We've had polls on this before and summer was overwhelmingly more convenient than winter for our forum members.

 

In the winter, you also have the issue of weather. It is much more likely to cause serious delays/cancellations in the winter than in the summer.

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We've had polls on this before and summer was overwhelmingly more convenient than winter for our forum members.

 

In the winter, you also have the issue of weather. It is much more likely to cause serious delays/cancellations in the winter than in the summer.

 

Not to mention people's emotional attachment to winter weather. If there's a major east coast snowstorm (mainly 40N and north) on the weekend of a BWI conference, then will northern posters actually go south and be willing to miss out on 15-20" of snow and get 38 degree rain instead? A lot of them will cancel at the 11th hour.

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Not to mention people's emotional attachment to winter weather. If there's a major east coast snowstorm (mainly 40N and north) on the weekend of a BWI conference, then will northern posters actually go south and be willing to miss out on 15-20" of snow and get 38 degree rain instead? A lot of them will cancel at the 11th hour.

 

Hold it up here then, and all the snow weenies in the Mid Atlantic will drive up here.

 

Honestly though, it's also just a sign of the times. Why go to a conference when you get someone's thoughts in 140 characters every day, or in some cases every hour. Not saying it's good or bad, but it's the way the world is heading.

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Hold it up here then, and all the snow weenies in the Mid Atlantic will drive up here.

 

Honestly though, it's also just a sign of the times. Why go to a conference when you get someone's thoughts in 140 characters every day, or in some cases every hour. Not saying it's good or bad, but it's the way the world is heading.

 

You meet them in person, hang out with like-minded people from the board who you won't find in gatherings elsewhere, maybe even network..... a lot of things you can't get from reading a tweet.

 

Of course, I've only been to the 2012 conference, so I can't speak for everyone's main reason for attending.

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Hold it up here then, and all the snow weenies in the Mid Atlantic will drive up here.

 

Honestly though, it's also just a sign of the times. Why go to a conference when you get someone's thoughts in 140 characters every day, or in some cases every hour. Not saying it's good or bad, but it's the way the world is heading.

 

 

Well that was true from 2006-2011 when we had solid attendance.

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You meet them in person, hang out with like-minded people from the board who you won't find in gatherings elsewhere, maybe even network..... a lot of things you can't get from reading a tweet.

 

Of course, I've only been to the 2012 conference, so I can't speak for everyone's main reason for attending.

 

I don't disagree, or tweet. But I think more and more people are going that direction, and it's a cultural thing.

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