[blindkid] HAPPY DANCE! National Convention Orlando Many Yearsto Come

[Penny Duffy]

So do I call you a new old timer? LOL


On Sat, Jul 9, 2011 at 11:33 PM, Richard Holloway <rholloway at gopbc.org>wrote:

> I think the Texas location is nearly as nice as the one in Orlando (in some
> ways maybe a little nicer, though you'll have to settle for one pool inside
> and one outside). There is however, a swim-up bar outside and in fact, I
> think there is a third pool inside the extra-cost sports center there for
> laps. The Dallas walking track is smaller, but smoother and there's no golf
> course. I was sort of hoping we'd keep going back-and-forth between Dallas
> and Orlando myself, but I have no problem with Orlando.
>
> There are some "old timers" (sorry folks! what should I call you?) here who
> can give you WAY more history than I can, but this was our 8th convention.
> We've done Kentucky and Detroit once each, Atlanta twice, Dallas three times
> and Orlando this past week. Flying is a hassle for us as well as really
> expensive. We generally come with five of us (except this year with only
> four). I've driven each time to avoid the concerns above, and also because
> the kids are happiest if we bring half of the contents of our house with us.
>
> I think there were at least three Kentucky conventions and three or four in
> Atlanta (probably four?). Kendra is eight, so more than eight years ago, we
> had no idea about the NFB. With all of this said, I'd mention that we are
> actually FROM Atlanta, and I'd rather travel to Dallas or Orlando than go to
> the convention in Atlanta, only 12 miles from our house-- the facility makes
> a huge difference. Just my 2-cents worth.
>
> I do understand that it has also been on the west coast, but not for many
> years. Also, remember that the National Center is in Maryland, about 900
> miles from Orlando, so it isn't like this is being done to keep Dr. Maurer
> and the rest on a short travel routine. I suspect it must be about cost and
> efficiency as much as anything else. I have hear a number of times that
> costs come down when we do multi-year-contracts as well.
>
> For myself, I thought the facility in Orlando was great and  the staff was
> top notch. This also seems an especially nice location for the NOPBC, with
> so many things to do with kids while we're at the convention. We had a much
> harder time entertaining a couple of small children in Detroit, I can say
> that with absolute certainty! Same thing with Dallas (not as bad as Detroit,
> but nothing like Orlando).
>
> It may also seem a small point, but this was the first in eight years of
> convention-going that the elevators were not a total disaster that alone can
> really wreak havoc. We were on the sixth floor and were up-and-down a lot.
> Travel time from Lobby to the 6th floor was about 5 or 6 seconds (literally)
> and I rarely had to wait more than 30 seconds for an elevator (often there
> was no wait). In Kentucky and even Dallas, at times there have been 5 and 10
> minute waits for elevators to arrive-- leaving Kentucky we got jammed up and
> had to wait for probably 30 minutes just to get a bellman upstairs and then
> nearly as long to get back down. We got plenty of good from ALL the
> conventions, but this year by comparison? Far, far better logistically...
>
> One more thing that will probably become clear by 2013 and continue for a
> few years. From what I have seen, the second, and following years are better
> at a lot of locations. The facilities get things working more smoothly and
> we all learn what is where better so things get smoother all around. If this
> was the roughest year for Orlando, given how well everything seemed to go,
> we have some future "smooth sailing" to look forward to.
>
>
>
> On Jul 9, 2011, at 9:31 PM, Penny Duffy wrote:
>
> > I completely understand the disappoint that some have with
> > the announcement that FL will be our convention home for many years.
> >
> > There is no way to have a perfect spot for convention.  Its more then
> just
> > the city location. Its the hotel. The prices offered for both the room
>  and
> > the convention space.  I am sure Rosen must have given Dr Maurer a deal
> that
> > was way too good to pass up.
> >
> > This was my first convention.  Its my understanding that this convention
> > went  a lot smother then others.  I imagine that had a lot do with the
> > decision.
> >
> > I would love to have a convention closer to ME too.  (I am in the
> northeast)
> > At least Orlando has a lot that families can do So I hope to tie it all
> > together with our vacation budget.     The pools where great at the
> hotel.
> > The Shingle Creek was quite a place.  HUGE.  It was also very clean.
> >
> > Now getting to Texas next year is going to be a little tougher and I
> really
> > want the whole family to go. Convention is worth it and I hope everything
> > works out for everyone who wants to go.
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-- 
--Penny
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Adventures with Abby - visionfora.blogspot.com