Artist Blacksmith's Association of North America

2010 Conference Planning begins

ABANA Conference Division Report

The Conference Division is hard at work on plans for ABANA's 2010 Conference. Thanks to all of you who have contacted the ABANA Board directly or responded to our on-line survey. Your input is the guiding force behind the planning of the 2010 ABANA Conference.

An overwhelming majority of ABANA members have asked us to make the conference more affordable (by reducing both the price of admission and the costs associated with attending the conference.) The conference committee has the following plans to achieve this objective:

1) LOCATION: The 2010 Conference committee is now researching more affordable, non-university locations to host the 2010 conference.

2) LODGING: We are working to find a location, which will allow on-site camping. We will also provide motel directions and will try to procure group discount rates for those wishing to stay in local motels.

3) FOOD: We plan to contract with on-site food vendors who will sell meals and snacks on-site. Conference attendees will be able to purchase what they want, when they want it from the vendors. People will also have the option of providing their own food or eating off-site at local restaurants.

4) TRAVEL: Sites under consideration are near a major airport and are centrally located, accessible by interstate, thus making travel to and from the conference easier and more affordable.

5) DEMONSTRATORS: More is not necessarily better! Past conferences have featured an overwhelming number of demonstrations going on at the same time. In 2010 we plan to reduce the number of demonstrators. Don't worry, we will still offer a diverse roster of top quality domestic and international demonstrators and multiple demonstrations to choose from throughout the day.

6) EXTRAS: We will eliminate extras such as tote bags, bumper stickers and lapel pins as part of the registration package. T-shirts and souvenirs will be available for purchase. Also, ABANA will not provide any hula dancers. (You'll have to do that on your own!)

At the request of the ABANA membership, we also plan to provide open forges, teaching stations and professional development lectures at the 2010 conference.

Attending the national conference is one of the great benefits of ABANA membership. Our goal is to host a 2010 conference, which will be exciting, educational and AFFORDABLE for our membership!

Your input and assistance is always welcome. Please feel free to contact me in the future.