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

Sun Jul 10 04:39:26 UTC 2011

I was joking about this at the convention actually. 

I feel like a bit of a fence-sitter, LOL. I feel old enough alright, but not yet quite wise enough for such a nickname!...

Sounds like you enjoyed the convention. That's great. Lots to take in, especially your first year, right?

On Jul 10, 2011, at 12:00 AM, Penny Duffy wrote:

> 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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>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> --Penny
> ----------
> Adventures with Abby - visionfora.blogspot.com
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