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My first Symposium...

D

devonpalmer

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Not sure if this off topic or not, but....

Dad and I will be driving out to KC Thursday (from Indiana/Ohio) for our first symposium and have no idea what to expect. Any advice on "What not to miss" from any seasoned symposium attendees out there?

I would assume there are some great deals on tools/equipment at the trade show as well.

- Devon Palmer
Columbus, Ohio
 
Could be a bad assumption, Devon. If you're going to shop the vendor floor (aren't we all?), research the stuff you're interested in before you go and know what prices are available.

I've been to many wood shows, and am never surprised to find people paying MORE for stuff than it would cost online or from catalogs. I suspect that many vendors use the mythe of "show prices" to do rather well with uninformed consumers. That said, I've done well buying machinery "off the floor" (bandsaw, 1st lathe, and spindle sander), but you have to be prepared to dicker, and then pick it up and haul it yourself when the show ends. Since you're driving, if you're shopping for iron, hitch up your wagon or check out U-haul prices in KC.

Go to the AAW main site and click through to the Symposium and then down to the Rotation grid (pdf) for the schedule of seminars. Print it out and make yourself a road map of what you want to see.


Mark
 
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Mark has good advice. Although I found some great bargains at the last symposium, some prices were about the same as the catalogs.
I thought the wood prices were high but if you've shoped around you might have a better idea of which wood to buy.
Plan to get to any demos that you really desperately want to see early. I mean really early. The good demos fill up really fast.
Plan to meet people. I know that's not always easy to do but if you try you will meet some pretty cool folks.
 
John & Mark are right on target.

Take a notebook and take notes on techniques you want to try and Ideas that come to you as you watch the demos.

Regarding the vendor area, it is the one place to see most of what is available for turners. You may be able to try tools especially during times when crowds are sparse. You can also get some real good turning tips in the vending area.
Remember the vendor demo guys are there to sell tools. That said, all of them will show you how to use the tools they are demonstraing and most will give you really good advice on anything related to what they are doing.

Consider volunteering to be a room assistant. This is usually the best seat in the house to watch the demo. They usually try to get most of the assistant signed up before the symposium but there are always openings.
 
Not my first Symposium!

And bring your digital camera! Memory challanged folks like ol' me can review specifics from photos better than handwritten notes. This will be my 6th time to demo, and I never object to making photos of my secret processes because I liberated them from other turners anyway!
 
Map out your day, what sessions you want to see. If it is a big name turner and you want a seat up front, plan ahead. If it is an after lunch demo, go in before lunch, after the demo is over, and put a catalog or folder/notebook down on the seat to save yourself a seat.

If it is wood you seek, there are two approaches. Buy what you need in the early days, at regular price, or wait until Sunday, and hope for discounts. Normally, the wood guys discount on Sunday so they don't have to pay all that freight to send it back. But that philosophy usually only works with the wood guys. Don't often see Sunday sales on tools.

If you have free time when demos are going on, that is a good time to browse the vendor floor and the absolute must not miss area, the instant gallery. Those areas are far more busy during lunch.
 
My first Symposium also. Although I expect to see a lot of people I know, I am sure I will get lost in the shuffle. I'll be the dazed looking guy pulling a gray carry on bag and wearing a Wood Central hat. That should narrow it down a little.

All seriousness aside. I am looking forward to meeting a lot of new friends. I need to find out if there is an established way to sell or trade wood that I brought from WA.

Dave Smith

Resting at Basswood RV park just north of KC, MO.
 
Liberating

Jamie Donaldson said:
And bring your digital camera! Memory challanged folks like ol' me can review specifics from photos better than handwritten notes. This will be my 6th time to demo, and I never object to making photos of my secret processes because I liberated them from other turners anyway!
Click to expand...

Jamie,

Since you're not engaged in the 1st slot on Friday, will you be in David's panel discussion? 😀

M
 
This will be my second national symposium. I would really encourage you to plan your time, deciding early what is a MUST in terms of seminars. Most of them are repeated. If there is only one session, obviously you make that a priority.
If I know I am very interested in a topic or demonstator, I try to make sure I get a good seat. However, if I am making an educated guess as to the topic and presenter, I will stake out a seat in the back so that I can leave without disrupting. You will find the level of presentations varying widely in terms of ability and preparation.
Being with a group from Atlanta, we would check out what others had experienced, good or bad, and then make appropriate shifts in terms of choices.
I am looking forward to the seminar although the pace and quantity can be a bit daunting.
Most of all, have fun!
David Galloway
 
I attended the last 2 symposiums and will be attending this one. One thing I suggest is to make new friends, and to say hi to folks you met on this forum!!

In the happy hour prior to the last 2 symposiums I struck up conversations with different people and then had meals with them. It's a great way to meet people and learn about other areas of turning.
 
Jeff Jilg said:
I attended the last 2 symposiums and will be attending this one. One thing I suggest is to make new friends, and to say hi to folks you met on this forum!!

In the happy hour prior to the last 2 symposiums I struck up conversations with different people and then had meals with them. It's a great way to meet people and learn about other areas of turning.
Click to expand...

Sheraton Bar; 5:30; Thursday 😀
 
Sounds like a good plan to me. The OZ exhibit opening is at 7:00. Even though I've already seen all the pics, it will be fun to see the pieces. Dinner needs to fit in there somewhere.
 
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