Posted by Jerry Silverman on January 23, 1999 at 19:03:24:
Those who posted to this Salon were, in general, satisfied with the current offerings of rug conferences - though many suggestions for improvement were offered and discussed.
Starting with a discussion about the costs of conferences (admitedly high, but for many reasons - some more compelling than others), we moved to several discussions of the lectures presented. There was agreement that lectures were not the prime reason why most of us attend a conference. Great lectures could be memorable and highlights of a conference, but the vast majority of lectures simply did not measure up to the exhibitions, dealers' fair, receptions, or general opportunities for socializing as reasons for attending. A suggestion was made that more members of the academic community should be invited to make presentations.
Exhibitions are a highlight for most people, and care should be taken to assure an objective selection process take place.
There were several suggestions about different approaches to future conferences which tended to emphasize more personal, intimate alternatives.
Now it's up to conference organizers to recognize that there are ways to improve their offerings and act on them.
Cordially,
-Jerry-