Q. A couple of the speakers I wanted to hear didn’t show up and nothing was posted in advance.
A. Having “no-shows” for speakers is a problem that all meetings and conventions have to deal with. We stay in touch with speakers up until the day we leave for the show. They all have the PACE key contacts phone and email and are encouraged to get in touch with us should anything happen. Unfortunately we don’t know anything until the same time as the attendees. The session chairman is told to contact the key contact staff member if their speaker doesn’t show up and the key contact calls the speakers cell phone. Unfortunately we do not always reach them and don’t find out why they didn’t show up until after the convention. If the speaker has a legitimate excuse for his absence such as flight delays or an emergency we wish them well and encourage their participation in the future. If a speaker has no reason we explain that it put us in a precarious position and that the chances of them being selected to be on future programs is unlikely.
Q. Why isn’t the exhibit hall open on Sunday?
A. Prior to the PACE2005 meeting, due diligence had been performed by PDCA and SSPC to help in the decision as to what time of year the convention should be as well as the number of days and which days would work best.
It was determined that 4 days of classroom education would meet the members needs and 2.5 days of exhibit hall with plenty of unopposed hours would be most beneficial
There were many factors that went into determining the exact days for the exhibition. First you must consider that many of our exhibitors need two days of set up because their booths are large and extremely complex. We also look at the cost of the venue – most convention centers give us two days of set-up gratis. One day is used for the decorator move-in. The decorator is the company that marks the floor where the exhibits will be, delivers the booths, lays down the carpet. Prior to carpet being put down, the electrician from the facility drops all electrical requirements.
The second day of gratis move-in is used by the exhibitors (Sunday) and part of a non-gratis day (Monday) is also used by the exhibitor. This allows the exhibitor to have one day of straight labor and one day of double-time – we do look at the overall cost to exhibitors as well as attendees.
If we were to change the exhibit days to Sunday-Wednesday, we’d have to add Thursday and Friday for set up and increase everyone’s cost in order to accommodate the extra non-gratis day that can cost upwards of $7000 and that’s just the rental. When you factor in the additional time for the exhibitor to have staff there another day, we’re looking at a substantial amount of money.
We try to look at all the costs not only to us but to the exhibitors and attendees. I’m proud to say that we have not increased the cost of exhibiting since PACE began and we have also held down the cost of attendee registration without taking anything away.
Q. Open the exhibit hall earlier and keep it open later.
PACE is still a young show and we are experimenting with the hours. This year we did open the hall earlier on Tuesday and attendees didn’t start going in until 9:00 am or 10:00 am. It’s not fair to the exhibitors to keep them standing around for several hours without having a full hall. The same goes for keeping it open later. People make plans for dinner or are tired from having sat in sessions all day. They want to go back to their rooms and relax.
At PACE2008 we will be changing the timing to what I think will benefit and meet everyone’s needs. We will have 10 hours of unopposed time so you are not forced to make a decision to attend a class or go to the exhibit hall.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Hit Film ‘Cars’ Showcases Los Angeles Locations on Route 66
While the PACE Education Advisory Committee is beginning to receive abstracts for consideration to be presented at PACE 2008 and exhibitors are vying for key exhibit space in the hall, it's time for you to begin planning your trip to the "Left Coast".
It's chock full of history, glamour, excitement and even a little bit of intrique. Keep your eye on this blog for weekly postings of LA Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday.
The blockbuster movie “Cars” puts Route 66 on the map again. But, of course, Route 66 fans and history buffs know it never left. It was just waiting to be rediscovered.
The traditional way to see Route 66 is east to west, just as hundreds of thousands of visitors and transplants have done since the historic route opened in 1926. For 80 years, one of the most famous roads of the 20th century has been the path of choice to “journey west,” as Bobby Troup wrote in his classic song, “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.” “From Chicago to LA,” Troup suggested. Then came the 1960s TV show, “Route 66,” in which the two stars found great adventures on this highway, in their Corvette convertible. Route 66 is still intact and can be explored by visitors. Corvette convertible optional.
Route 66 enters Los Angeles County from the northeast and makes its way along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. From there, the route meanders through the Arroyo Seco, one of LA’s early areas, down Figueroa Street and into Downtown. When the Arroyo Seco Parkway (later renamed the Pasadena Freeway, the oldest freeway in LA) was opened, Route 66 was incorporated into it. Both Figueroa Street and the parkway/freeway follow pretty much the same route. They pass the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, perched high on the hill to the west. The museum contains one of the most extensive collections of Native American art and artifacts in the world. Nearby, the eccentric Charles Lummis, one of the museum’s founders, built his home with stones from the arroyo. This century-old, just-as-eccentric house is open to the public. Just south of here, Route 66 skirts Dodger Stadium. Then Route 66 heads for Downtown LA along Broadway. It travels through Chinatown (a great place to stop for lunch) and then past El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park. The birthplace of LA, El Pueblo includes many early structures as well as the pedestrian walkway Olvera Street, a lively Mexican marketplace lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. Route 66’s original terminus was several blocks south, at Seventh Street and Broadway. That was in the heyday of Broadway's dazzling movie palaces. Several of the elaborate facades are being restored.
In the mid-1930s, Route 66 was extended to Santa Monica, beginning at Sunset Boulevard (at that point, it is called Cesar Chavez Boulevard for several blocks). Then the street ambles through Echo Park and one of LA’s most bohemian neighborhoods, Silver Lake, which is lined with sidewalk cafes. At an east Hollywood intersection, Route 66 now takes Santa Monica Boulevard through Hollywood, West Hollywood, Century City, West LA and Santa Monica. In Hollywood proper, the route passes Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where many famous stars are buried.
Visitors may roam the grounds for a close-up look at the resting places of Rudolph Valentino, Cecil B. De Mille and Douglas Fairbanks (Jr. and Sr.). Just past La Brea Avenue is the Formosa Cafe, a must stop for “L.A. Confidential” fans and a nostalgic glimpse of Hollywood’s glam days. The cafe is still surrounded by movie studios. In Hollywood, Route 66 runs parallel to Hollywood Boulevard, home to most of Tinseltown’s landmarks and just a few blocks to the north.
From there, Route 66 goes through West Hollywood. South of the San Vicente Boulevard intersection are two eye-catching postmodern structures, one blue and one green. That’s the Pacific Design Center, the heart of the West Coast’s interior design world. At Doheny Drive, Route 66 enters Beverly Hills. This section of roadway is lined with Beverly Gardens Park. On the other side of the park are the elegant mansions that made Beverly Hills famous. To the south are the tempting shops of Rodeo Drive.
Next is Century City, a bustling business and shopping section created out of 20th Century Fox’s backlot.
Route 66 continues along Santa Monica Boulevard to the city of Santa Monica itself. Contrary to the romance of the road, Route 66 did not end at the Pacific Ocean, but a few blocks inland at Lincoln and Olympic boulevards. For Route 66 fans, that’s nitpicking. The myth is that Route 66 ends at Santa Monica’s picturesque Palisades Park with its sweeping view of the ocean. Just two blocks south of there is Santa Monica Pier, with a roller coaster and other fun rides -- the perfect spot to celebrate the end of this journey west.
For more information on Route 66 visit www.theroadwanderer.com/rt66pacific.htm
It's chock full of history, glamour, excitement and even a little bit of intrique. Keep your eye on this blog for weekly postings of LA Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday.
The blockbuster movie “Cars” puts Route 66 on the map again. But, of course, Route 66 fans and history buffs know it never left. It was just waiting to be rediscovered.
The traditional way to see Route 66 is east to west, just as hundreds of thousands of visitors and transplants have done since the historic route opened in 1926. For 80 years, one of the most famous roads of the 20th century has been the path of choice to “journey west,” as Bobby Troup wrote in his classic song, “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.” “From Chicago to LA,” Troup suggested. Then came the 1960s TV show, “Route 66,” in which the two stars found great adventures on this highway, in their Corvette convertible. Route 66 is still intact and can be explored by visitors. Corvette convertible optional.
Route 66 enters Los Angeles County from the northeast and makes its way along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. From there, the route meanders through the Arroyo Seco, one of LA’s early areas, down Figueroa Street and into Downtown. When the Arroyo Seco Parkway (later renamed the Pasadena Freeway, the oldest freeway in LA) was opened, Route 66 was incorporated into it. Both Figueroa Street and the parkway/freeway follow pretty much the same route. They pass the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, perched high on the hill to the west. The museum contains one of the most extensive collections of Native American art and artifacts in the world. Nearby, the eccentric Charles Lummis, one of the museum’s founders, built his home with stones from the arroyo. This century-old, just-as-eccentric house is open to the public. Just south of here, Route 66 skirts Dodger Stadium. Then Route 66 heads for Downtown LA along Broadway. It travels through Chinatown (a great place to stop for lunch) and then past El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park. The birthplace of LA, El Pueblo includes many early structures as well as the pedestrian walkway Olvera Street, a lively Mexican marketplace lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. Route 66’s original terminus was several blocks south, at Seventh Street and Broadway. That was in the heyday of Broadway's dazzling movie palaces. Several of the elaborate facades are being restored.
In the mid-1930s, Route 66 was extended to Santa Monica, beginning at Sunset Boulevard (at that point, it is called Cesar Chavez Boulevard for several blocks). Then the street ambles through Echo Park and one of LA’s most bohemian neighborhoods, Silver Lake, which is lined with sidewalk cafes. At an east Hollywood intersection, Route 66 now takes Santa Monica Boulevard through Hollywood, West Hollywood, Century City, West LA and Santa Monica. In Hollywood proper, the route passes Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where many famous stars are buried.
Visitors may roam the grounds for a close-up look at the resting places of Rudolph Valentino, Cecil B. De Mille and Douglas Fairbanks (Jr. and Sr.). Just past La Brea Avenue is the Formosa Cafe, a must stop for “L.A. Confidential” fans and a nostalgic glimpse of Hollywood’s glam days. The cafe is still surrounded by movie studios. In Hollywood, Route 66 runs parallel to Hollywood Boulevard, home to most of Tinseltown’s landmarks and just a few blocks to the north.
From there, Route 66 goes through West Hollywood. South of the San Vicente Boulevard intersection are two eye-catching postmodern structures, one blue and one green. That’s the Pacific Design Center, the heart of the West Coast’s interior design world. At Doheny Drive, Route 66 enters Beverly Hills. This section of roadway is lined with Beverly Gardens Park. On the other side of the park are the elegant mansions that made Beverly Hills famous. To the south are the tempting shops of Rodeo Drive.
Next is Century City, a bustling business and shopping section created out of 20th Century Fox’s backlot.
Route 66 continues along Santa Monica Boulevard to the city of Santa Monica itself. Contrary to the romance of the road, Route 66 did not end at the Pacific Ocean, but a few blocks inland at Lincoln and Olympic boulevards. For Route 66 fans, that’s nitpicking. The myth is that Route 66 ends at Santa Monica’s picturesque Palisades Park with its sweeping view of the ocean. Just two blocks south of there is Santa Monica Pier, with a roller coaster and other fun rides -- the perfect spot to celebrate the end of this journey west.
For more information on Route 66 visit www.theroadwanderer.com/rt66pacific.htm
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