OO.net Conference Specifics

[Free Thinker]

I would like to start a thread brainstorming some ideas for possible things that could be done at said Conference. I assume it could be held in the summer of 2006 - probably in Chicago, but who knows. So, to start out -

- Organizing a publication for the forum

- Holding lectures created by members (what are some possible topics for this?)

- Social time to meet other members

Some practical concerns include-

- Hotel Booking

- Place to hold lectures

- Price (of transportation and Conference)

- Getting anyone to show up

[JMeganSnow]

Suggestion #1: Have a convention, not a conference.

My Reasoning: There are already Objectivist conferences, and from what I understand they are mostly focused on catering to people who are already part of the Objectivist community. Focusing on the "Man is Great" theme, you could include a lot of stuff that is not explicitly Objectivist in origin, but follows naturally from a reason-reality viewpoint. The idea would be to have this fun event that, as a secondary consequence, raises awareness of the existence of Objectivism and all of its fun and rewarding consequences.

The main focus of a convention (as opposed to a conference) is not speeches, talks, debates, but activities and vendors. The gaming club I belonged to in college had an annual convention that I helped with somewhat.

Suggestion #2: Have a convention website

This one is kind of a no-brainer. However something I'd like to see the site include would be options for the funding-challenged. A lot of conferences/conventions have "packages" where you can purchase a hotel room, conference entry fee, and sign up for specific things all in one go. However, providing space to hook up for carpools, arrange group activities, etc. would also be nice, as many members of OO.net are young and in college.

Suggestion #3: plan on having this become an annual thing, and to get bigger every year!

One of the WORST things you can do is plan a convention as though you're only going to have it once. Vendors and advertisers provide most of your real convention funding and draw, and they like to hear about FUTURE PROSPECTS. They are more likely to support you when you are small if you state the intention of getting large in the future.

Suggestion #4: Getting people to show up

Cater to the locals in the city where you are holding the event; they have the fewest transportation woes. (Hence my idea for a convention, not a conference). Locals won't be tremendously interested in hearing talks about Objectivism, but if there are fun, brief activities and things to see, they will show up; like with a street fair.

[Free Thinker]

I like you suggestions. However, on:

Suggestion #1:  Have a convention, not a conference

I would have to say that I like the idea, but what sort of booths would we have? What attractions? ("The Man is Great" theme was a joke (an ancronym), but it works!) I chose Conference because of the lecture idea.

[EC]

I thought that the point here was to get all of us together in person and have a little fun, in other words a private party of sorts for OO.net members. But Jennifer's idea sounds more like activism for Objectivism, which isn't a bad idea, but is different from what I thought was the original intent. So which is it we are actually trying to organize here? Or is it supposed to be a combo of them both?

[DavidOdden]

I thought that the point here was to get all of us together in person and have a little fun, in other words a private party of sorts for OO.net members.

We're still having the party at Jennifer's place. Do remember to take the stairs.

[JMeganSnow]

So which is it we are actually trying to organize here? Or is it supposed to be a combo of them both?

How many ways can you think of to organize for people to all meet up and do stuff together? This is why someone has to be Boss and make the decisions; you're going to have to pick from alternatives because no one event can incoporate everything.

David, now what did I do to deserve this hostility? Sheesh.

[Free Thinker]

How many ways can you think of to organize for people to all meet up and do stuff together?  This is why someone has to be Boss and make the decisions; you're going to have to pick from alternatives because no one event can incoporate everything.

David, now what did I do to deserve this hostility?  Sheesh.

I really didn't sense any hostility in his post.

I originally thought of this idea as yes, a social gathering (to see what everyone looks like), but I kind of expanded from there. I thought about it, and I would like to stick to just a "Conference". It is easier to organize, and less stress.

[DavidOdden]

David, now what did I do to deserve this hostility?  Sheesh.

What hostility?

[EC]

Jennifer you quoted me so I guess you were really speaking to me when you spoke of hostility. I can assure that there was none intended, in fact I said that your's was a good idea. I just was wondering which type of event it is that we are planning here. If you took offense then I appologize.

[JMeganSnow]

I really didn't sense any hostility in his post.

Jennifer you quoted me so I guess you were really speaking to me when you spoke of hostility.  I can assure that there was none intended, in fact I said that your's was a good idea.  I just was wondering which type of event it is that we are planning here. If you took offense then I appologize.

Are either of you named David?

Edited November 28, 2005 by Free Thinker

[Free Thinker]

Are either of you named David?

No, but I was just curious as to who you were referring to.

[Proverb]

To return to the subject:

Would a conference/convention named 'The Modern Philosophy Conrference/convention' attract more of a responce to calls for booths/speakers?

I think advertising an Objectivist conference as an 'Objectivist Conference' would keep away the people who would not want to be part of what is called "a cult" in our time but who would in fact benefit from exposure to the Objectivits Philosophy. We would obviously have to weed out the people who would not benefit the conference/convention and withhold the right to refuse anyone.

I think not limiting the scope of the conference/convention would be a good thing because it would allow us to hold the event and have activism be more of a clandestine objective.

In our day I don't think it is wise to give a specific label to these kind of things because it allows people to instantly brand us and, to many, this warrants seeking no further information where, if the purpose was not as directly stated, they would have.

If activism is the goal in anything, we have to address the things that require us to be activists in the first place e.g. modern stigmas, and stereotypes.

Any thoughts?

[Free Thinker]

To return to the subject:

Would a conference/convention named 'The Modern Philosophy Conrference/convention' attract more of a responce to calls for booths/speakers?

I think advertising an Objectivist conference as an 'Objectivist Conference' would keep away the people who would not want to be part of what is called "a cult" in our time but who would in fact benefit from exposure to the Objectivits Philosophy. We would obviously have to weed out the people who would not benefit the conference/convention and withhold the right to refuse anyone.

I think not limiting the scope of the conference/convention would be a good thing because it would allow us to hold the event and have activism be more of a clandestine objective.

In our day I don't think it is wise to give a specific label to these kind of things because it allows people to instantly brand us and, to many, this warrants seeking  no further information where, if the purpose was not as directly stated, they would have.

If activism is the goal in anything, we have to address the things that require us to be activists in the first place e.g. modern stigmas, and stereotypes.

Any thoughts?

I didn't intend this Conference to be for any sort of activism - I wanted it for the reasons I stated above. (Please tell me if I have misunderstood your position).

So, now that we decided to have this Conference, let's start working to make it a reality.

[Proverb]

Ok I understand. I was just talking on the line that Jennifer started. I think, though activism is a good thing, it would be better as you said to have a private party.

I suggest Las Vegas.

Though I am biased in this, airfare to Las Vegas is generally lower because of overall volume of travel to this location. Plus the availablility of conference rooms and general meeting places is very high. There is also an amazing density of hotels to choose from. (I recommend the neighborhood casino branches)

Thanks.