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I was also extremely disappointed to see members of the CanJam team manning the registration table most of the time - at all four of the previous National Meets the registration tables were manned by either local-area volunteers or at least non-members of the organizing team (ok a small exception at CanJam 09, but those people did it voluntarily). The local Head-Fiers should be ashamed for not stepping up to help out with the registration table.
Hey Steve, while I agree with you on most of your points, the first 2006 National in Bayside, only had members of the organizing team manning the tables. It is true that the NY contingent had somewhere near 200 setups for the members to listen to, but remember that our contingent has a drive proximity from Boston to DC, so it was a lot easier for members to have their setups there from drivers who attended.
It's tough to trust $10,000 worth of gear to American Airlines being checked in (especially since my wife and I had upwards of $6K of scuba gear (a life's worth of gathering, stolen from us at JFK). The stuff never made it to the plane. 6 weeks later they arrested a ring of over 60 desk agents, TSA, and catering trucks, with a system of going from the X-ray, down the conveyors, directly into catering trucks, which drove out of the airport, scott free). If it doesn't go in my carry-on, it doesn't go.
I also saw Guzziguy and vpivinylspinner and others volunteering their services at the check in table. To them and the others, hats off.
However, your point is well taken. When choosing venues for Canjams, things have to be taken into consideration. Things, like a team that can handle the responsibility properly, locals filling up tables with gobs of local gear, and the ability to attract vendors. The most important thing, when picking a venue, is ti make sure that they have bath tubs and not just stand-uo showers, so cases of beer can be kept cold in the tub with large quantities of ice. After all, we must make sure to keep our priorities in order. Duggeh and Spritzer should win, for fulfilling this need, along with Kevin Gilmore and his Scotch. The only thing is, Kevin didn't know about the "Stevieo sleeping in the tub trick" which allowed us to continue to party while Steve slept like a baby in the tub (and we have the pictures to prove it)
Of course, Tyll always treats us to his delectable selection of various libations.
The meet needs to be broken down into two distinct areas of opportunity. One, listening to music and spending money on things that we did not even know what existed. And Two, the apres-meet party. I find them both equally important if you want to have the ultimate time.
At least, we did not have any glass being dropped off balconies and no cops being called in. I feel this is part of the maturing process.
I just wish we had 3 days, maybe a week to absorb all that is offered to us. Perhaps Absorbine_Sr. can remedy this.
It was really great talking with you too and meeting someone who was actually in charge of organizing one of the first of these Canjam events a few years ago!
