Second Annual gathering (Spring/Summer 2009) now Set!
Maryland's Eastern Shore, Blackwater Wildlife Refuge
June 26-28, 2009
Please go to the link below to find out more
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/gatherings-events/46308-planning-2nd-annu...-open-all.html
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Open to All
June 27-29th 2008
Please note, Though Pentax-users centered, anyone interested may attend. This is meant to be a weekend-long event, not just a day-trip gathering. However Sat. is the main day if you can only make it than.
Location will be Shenandoah National Park, info here:
Shenandoah National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Details for trip/workshops
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/216751-post44.html
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Crumpler, Lexjet, Lensbaby, Trek-Tech, Lexar, Epson, LowePro, Pentax Fourms, P3 Imaging Inc.
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5/28 Last Call for attendance before I place a T-Shirt order. If your not on the list I dont have you down as coming!
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/223048-post47.html
I am unsure of room-space, but workshop is still open and will be (minus some perks like t-shirt and dinners up until the weekend of the workshop)
Also if you haven't already, I need everyone's sizes for t-shirts ASAP
And Please thank and patrognise our sponsors listed here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/222036-post46.html
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We Have Conformation! 4/10 Ok, I talked with sales today and here is the skinny:
Because we are opting for a weekend (easiest for everyone) they do not normally do discounts on rooms. Even on a weekday we would need 15-rooms for the discount.
Now the good news is that they can do a set-meal plan for us and after I get the menu choices I will post for all to see. I may be able to get them even to “cater” the entire event for a bulk rate if some may wish (breakfasts and bag-lunches, however I think the bring-your-own option is still going to be cheaper.
Also if we confirm it they might be able to arrange with the GM of the resort to allow us to be the evening entertainment by projecting a slide show of photos from the day
Now for the Prices:
I talked about conference-room rental if needed, that’s $200 for 5-6hr, however I do not see the need really with only 10 people (as of now) if I get a semi-suite that has a living room that we all can congregate-in.
Cabins (no real view of valley) 1 or 2 beds $73-94/night +tax
Traditional room [better views] 1-2 beds (doubles or queens per request) $118+tax
Camping, please see
Shenandoah National Park - Campgrounds (U.S. National Park Service)
I estimate following costs for the weekend $3-500 (depending on options and gas)
You’re responsible for booking and providing
Entrance Fee $15/car
Room $175-250
Food breakfast/lunches TBA
“Workshop-fee” $75-100 includes*
(Reduced for spouses/family just wishing to have meals w/ us)
T-Shirt, 16x20 print Classes, freebees from sponsors Guided hikes, and equipment loaners
Food: Welcome BBQ (at picnic area, they changed the rules), 1 Dinner (set meal) at lodge, snacks, drinks, donation to Pentax Forums
I need to know by Tax Tuesday (the 15th) definite numbers for food/attendance and if anyone objects to a public slide-show so I can get firm pricing on food and talk to the GM about the free space for the slide-show presentation to the resort. Please PM or email me.
Sponsors and t-shirt:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/222036-post46.html
Who's Attending:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/223048-post47.html
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3/21 Ok I am hopefully meeting or will be discussing over the phone w/ the manager of the place next week. I plan on trying to obtain a discounted room rate (10% at least) and set up for a fixed-dinner on Sat. with possibility of a slide-show presentation for all to see that evening in their tap-room (i.e.: use of bigger space for free, nice critique time, etc) Please PM me if you have any special food needs, I will try to get it set w/ 2 options in addition to a special needs meal (vegetarian, allergy etc) if any.
Everyone please email me at
bominb@hotmail.com so I can send out forms and final pricing details, numbers etc
Note: Everyone will be responsible for park entrance fee, booking their own room and meal service for breakfast and Lunch on Sat and Sunday. I recommend sandwiches and light fair easily made in-room as the dining hall can get pricey for the weekend and busy too. They do have Ice Machines but no other means of refrigeration; I will bring a large coffee maker or 2 for coffee and hot water. I will only be collecting $$ to cover costs of the dinners and supplies, Reduced “fee” for spouses not participating in workshops but would like to join for dinners.
3/8/08 We have had 7 people vote in the pole that the last weekend in June is best. I am going to now decide this will be the weekend we use unless a sudden influx. I will be contacting the park about discounted rates etc. next week.
To all those That have said can make it, I will be PM'ing you asking to email me and than I will pull together details, forms etc and email it to everyone in the next week or so. (feel free to PM me too w/ email address)
Thanks, looks like this will go!
3/4/08 I have created a poll to make it easyer on us deciding on a weekend. We seam to have enough serious inquiries that this may run. Please take poll here for weekend dates:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-talk/22072-east-coast-workshop-dates-pol.html
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Hi all, after meeting and talking with David yesterday (photo tramp) we really want to get a decent gathering together over a weekend.
This would be an un-official Pentax event, just a gathering of us Pentaxians to enjoy somewhere for a weekend, learn, photograph, enjoy company etc.
I am willing to do the leg work on this to set up a location and attempt to get group discounts. I am also willing to set up and teach 2-3 sessions and would ask for anyone who is an expert in a field to join in too (like one of our bug-macro guys)
I was thinking for a location the Blue Ridge Mountains in Va. there is options to stay in a lodge, cabin or camp so prices would vary (just "stock" price for now) between $35-120/night and we could always share rooms (most have 2 full beds) (I am unsure about cabin pricing, never stayed in them)
I also would be willing to pseudo-sponsor the event by my personal photography company for stuff like printing or tech and lighting etc along with allowing barrow of my equipment (I have a lot, just ask Dave)
I would also try to get some other sponsors like Lensbaby and maybe Epson for a few lenses and paper/ink and give-away's
I would run this as a non-profit making set-up, you would pay directly the lodge for stay, and me only if we would "rent a room/hall" for a day but I figure we could do most of it out-side or in one of the reg. rooms etc. OR I could try to get a special group rate that would include a dinner or something.
Ether way Let me know It would be good to meet everyone and get together one of the largest Pentaxian gatherings ever held.
Thanks much,
Brendan
Last edited by BrendanPK; 05-20-2009 at 10:50 AM.