Re: [AGA-sc] Speaking of speakers

["Karen Randall" <krandall@rdrcpa.biz>]

> Who is "Wim?"

I can't remember his last name... spoke in Chattanooga the same year Tom 
did.  He was good... spoke of Dutch type aquarium design, and how that 
relates to other forms of art in terms of design principles.

> Luis is wonderful but we've had Luis doing design before. It would nice to 
> have someone else for the variety.

Luis is fine in a workshop or small group setting.  I don't think he has 
developed the demeanor to pull off a feature talk yet.  He has the knowledge 
and skills, but he is too soft spoken and self-effacing.

> I don't think GB went over as well as a speaker in Dallas as some of us 
> had anticipated.

I like George, but as a speaker he was a flop.  His photos were poor quality 
and his information dated.

> We're still thinking a total of 4 speakers, as SF had planned?

I don't know what we were thinking... that's what the SF folks had proposed.

> I'd like to see a round of workshops as we've done before

I like the idea of workshop/break-out groups as long as the schedule isn't 
so intense that people get run ragged.  AND don't get to spend time in the 
vendor's Og course, one way around that would be to actually USE the 
vendor's room for some break-out groups.room.

> and for those:
>
> Here's my list of the folks mentioned and the potential -- what am I 
> missing:
>
> Dave Wilson -- Yes (and will accept)

I've got Gary Lange checking into whether Dave Wilson is a good speaker or 
not... we know he can write and we know he takes good photos and knows his 
material.  But it would also be nice to see if he's got a reputation for 
putting together good talks if we are going to import him at high cost.

> Ole Pederson -- Yes (might accept)
> Troels Andersen -- Yes (might accept)

Any of these people s/b featured speakers, not workshop/ break-out speakers

> Dorothy Reimer -- Yes (might accept)
> Jeff Senske -- Yes (on Photog) (might accept -- has a book coming out)

Could be either featured speaker or workshop.  Dorothy's style is so 
hands-on that it would be perfect for a smaller group. (I know she would 
have concerns about having the proper plants available for her to do her 
thing, but I'm sure we could supply them from within the U.S. so she doesn't 
need to worry about bringing plants with her) Both are experienced speakers 
that we know will deliver the goods.

> Dr. Tan Cheng Mong (too expensive unless we can confirm speaking 
> qualifications)
> Mr. Seah Ming Cheun (too expensive unless we can confirm speaking 
> qualifications)
> Loh Kwek Leong (his first love is killies and too expensive unless we can 
> confirm speaking qualifications)

I agree

> Workshops
> Erik Leung (aquascaping) (might accept)
> Rhonda Wilson (non-CO2 or slow growth tanks) (might accept)
> TBarr (he was made for workshops) (if you comp him he will come)

All the above would be fine for workshops only, not major talks.

> If we do an Aquascaping Race (the so-called Iron [Chef] Aqauscaping), I'd 
> just as soon names were drawn from a hat of volunteers, but then, frankly, 
> I don't understand the point of competing to finish an aquscape within a 
> very limited amount of time? What has the rush to do with anything? Seems 
> like mindless sport, otoh, mindless sports are very popular so maybe 
> that's a reason for doing it -- like Tshirts, no one really *needs* one 
> ;-)

It's not anything I have much interest in, and it sounds like a HUGE amount 
of work to orchestrate. (think what it took to get all the 
supplies/equipment in place for Amano's demos) but if lots of people like 
the idea, it doesn't hurt to give it a try.  I agree, however, that you have 
to find some even handed way of choosing who will actually participate.

Karen 


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