Suggestions for next year

[lynnfrwd]

What should we add, not do, more of, less of, etc...

[fwharris]

3 days!!!!!!!

Make an hour 90 minutes long.. oh we did that huh.....haha!!

[lynnfrwd]

3 days!!!!!!!

Make an hour 90 minutes long.. oh we did that huh.....haha!!

Lol. Yes we did get off schedule. So much information; so little time.

[gregsolano]

Probably do need to add a day and include a half or full day of finishing/painting techniques, if you went full day then you could include some hands on. Also for the maintenance portion you need someone to hold a video camera up to the machine and tie it into the big screen so every one can see or pre record the presentation with close up video.

[gregsolano]

Along with my suggestions I do want to add that it was a great first conference and the staff at carvewright were great. I felt like a member of the family as I was allowed full access to the facilities and saw that the business was a small company that still cares about its quality and its customers. I want to move to houston and get a job there! Too bad my wife would never let me. LOL

[Digitalwoodshop]

When will the You Tube Videos be ready for guys like me that did not attend...?


AL

[gregsolano]

I meant to take my video cam and forgot to pack it. I did see some people taking some video but not everything.

[rossclark]

For your first try ,I Think you all did great job and the hotel staff was great.. You will need a larger place next year ,,for feel you will have more of us next year..The Food was great. Maybe 3or 4 days,so we could do a project start to finish and more hands on training..

[ffd95]

If Connie would have spent more time there instead of shopping..... hahahaha You guys did a great job! Just a few suggestions. Someone mentioned already, having a camera set up to show pictures inside the machines when you guys are pointing to items, or have pictures on powerpoint, and point to them on them on the screen and use a pointer. If you increase the days, you could have software training at a hotel, and invite attendees to bring their own laptops if they have them, the maintenance classes could be taught at the shop and sell the equipment there.
Second thing, I've taught classes before and having straight tables in line always works better. I understand a lot of facilities don't have that available.
Maybe make it three or four days. I understand that is a huge undertaking on the staff. I would like more hands on training in the future.
One more suggestion, and this could be done besides this, set up or have an online course pertaining to the software. Going through each item and showing what is does to your drawing, and also how it affects the project.
It was great meeting the staff and all the other carvers. Can't wait till the next one.
Brad Doyle
Fairview Heights, IL

[Capt Bruce]

Sign me up now for the full week next year Connie,

My special thanks to yourself, Chris, Joe and all your Staff members who were so very gracious and did such a fine job of making us all feel welcome both at the Conference site and at the plant. It really was a family reunion as much as a Conference so I'll be back at CarveWright Summer Camp next time for sure. I spent a lot of time answering questions on jig and carrier techniques and accessories in general so maybe a session on other than machine items that also make the whole process work. I really benefited from the accessory software classes and Doug Haffner's classes really opened my eyes to where I can go with this unit and new (to me) materials.

I'm hoping to learn more in the Start U line about seminars and teaching opportunities so I can represent LHR with professional polish and a well focused presentation. It was surprising that so much can be communicated without ever really turning the machine on.

We will probably need more space next time as the word gets out in the Forum on the good time and learning opportunities everyone enjoyed. I'd easily expect at least 200. Great job by the Hilton management and staff. Now we'll be in a stronger position to negotiate better room rates but it just may require a larger venue. Think rows of tables and even wiring the room with power at the tables for PCs to follow along in agendas and PowerPoint slides (as well as note taking) so you don't have to photocopy everything and the most current version is posted just minutes before the individual presentation. Just thoughts while they are fresh and for what they are worth.
Thanks again for hosting us for the three days and we'll be back.

[fwharris]

More Haffner!!!!

[rcdages]

More Michael T. & Haffner!!!!

[Hexe SA]

Sounds like I missed a great conference. Wish I could have made it, but I got diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer in January. It puts things on hold for right now but I'm planning on being there next year. Everyone keep up your great work and the inspiration I get from all your creations helps to get thru the tougher times and gives me hope I'll be back carving soon.
God bless
Eva

[SteveEJ]

Could you talk to my boss and see if I can get off next year! Seriously though, I have been working in Houston a lot this year and had to be some where else during this period. I would have loved to have been there and will try VERY hard to be there next year. No telling where my job will take me though.. :-(

How about some online videos and narratives from attendees? Good advertising for next year!

[chebytrk]

Sounds like I missed a great conference. Wish I could have made it, but I got diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer in January. It puts things on hold for right now but I'm planning on being there next year. Everyone keep up your great work and the inspiration I get from all your creations helps to get thru the tougher times and gives me hope I'll be back carving soon.
God bless
Eva

Hang tuff" Eva. Prayers are with you and look forward to meeting you next year. It was a blast as I'm sure you'll agree when you make the next one.

[easybuilt]

When will the You Tube Videos be ready for guys like me that did not attend...?


AL

I have tried to upload my video's twice and I keep getting errors. I'll try again today.

[rcdages]

Eva,

You will be in my prayers, looking forward to meeting you next year.

God's speed.

[mwolfe]

The round tables did not work very well. I'm sure the idea was to promote discussion among attendees, but that didn't seem to be a problem. You could fit more people in more comfortably with classroom style seating, and I wouldn't have to turn around to see or listen to the speakers.
More practice and better use of the AV equipment - that room was wide and shallow, and when the divider was open, those of us on the outside had a hard time seeing the projected image. Someone already mentioned using a camera to show the maintenance details. Don't bother trying to pass around stuff; instead, explain it, show it on the screen if it's small, then put it where we can go look in detail during the breaks.
I liked the room where you had examples of projects; some way to encourage more of that would be great. One or two people included a writeup of how they did that project, I found that useful as well. Doug Haffner did talk about his projects during his presentation.

Haffner's finishing session was great (and he is very engaging and entertaining). Michael Tyler's session about advanced software use was also great. I wish I had taken more notes during those. I enjoyed the conference more than I'd expected.