Surratt Conference Wrap-Up

[Anita]

(04-10-2019 09:59 AM)L Verge Wrote:  

(04-09-2019 08:27 PM)Anita Wrote:  

(04-08-2019 09:30 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Now, aren't you sorry you did not attend? Planning has already started for the 2020 conference.

Yes!!
Congrats on another outstanding conference.
Laurie do you video the talks? I'd pay for a set of conference DVDs. Are are the talks published?

We investigated both videos and copies of talks a number of years ago and had quite a few objections to both. The biggest one was that, while we would make money from those sales, it would not be anywhere near the amount of what we take in for registrations - which is what pays the bills for the conference, and trust me, the bills are considerable.

We want attendees for another reason: Historians need to form a "fraternity" of friendship as well as education. One of this year's attendees announced at the Friday reception that our conference was more like a family reunion. That was music to my ears! This is the type of interaction that promotes sharing of ideas. Videos are educational, but they are not warm and fuzzy. One of the greatest experiences of my life was being part of what James O. Hall called the Baker Street Irregulars. Going places with him, John C. Brennan, Mike Kauffman, and others taught me so many things and introduced me to wonderful scholars, while also assisting in gathering information.

As for copies of the talks, the speakers were the ones who objected to that. Most speak from notes (not a full text), and they told me in no uncertain terms that they were not going to rewrite their presentation for the sake of sales. We also thought about the good information that is shared through the Q&A portion that we give every speaker at the end of their presentation. Capturing that for inclusion would be one more obstacle.

Thanks Laurie. One day I hope to become an attendee.