what should I expect at the symposium in connecticut?

[Peter Cirincione]

Hi, I am pretty new to the forum and pretty new to woodturning as well. Having never turned wood I decided to try it out a few years back and got myself a lathe (vicmarc VL100) and had off and on been teaching myself to turn mostly from books and trial and error. In the last year I have finally had more time to really get into it. Being in brooklyn I have not had access to any local turning clubs or the like and when I heard about the synposium in connecticut I thought it might be a good chance to meet some turners and learn a few things. So I was wondering a few things:

1. Being still a bit of a novice will I get a lot out of the symposium.

2. How much would this end up costing me? I am under employed at the moment and don't have a ton of cash to throw around but I can sort of justify this as a brithday presant to me (6/15).

3. Do I have to be an AAW member to attend? I want to get a membership but as mentioned before I am not in the best economic situation at the moment(like so many others).

4. Most importantly, what can I expect to see there? Is it mostly vendors selling their wares or is it more focused on teaching and sharing ideas. What are your impressions?

 

[George Guadiane]

1. If you are a note taker, bring a BIG book and plenty to write with. These things are geared to turners of all skill levels, AND you have the option/opportunity to look into your future and learn about things you are not quite ready to attempt yourself... You'll remember more than you might expect.

2. If you just go to the vending and/or instant gallery areas, there is no charge (except for parking and your travel expenses). The sign up page is accessible from the home page, they have the prices for 1 day or the whole thing... Beyond the cost of attending the demonstrations, there are going to be TONS (literally) of TEMPTING tools and wood, so how much it COULD cost will have a lot to do with the amount of room on your credit cards and your self control.

3. NO! Non members are welcome.

4. After you get to the registration site, you will find a demonstrations grid which should give you an idea of the who and what. AAW (and all symposium promoters) work hard to deliver diverse, timely and interesting topics and presenters, so you will be able to see a little of MANY things. If it's just the vendor/gallery thing, you'll still have the chance to see a lot of tools in use and of course, the vendors will be delighted to tell you about their tools and how to use them.

 

[Peter Cirincione]

thanks for the reply george, I have been to the symposium site and it would not let me register unless I was logged in as an aaw member. Is it just that they don't allow advanced registration for non members or am I doing something wrong?

 

[George Guadiane]

thanks for the reply george, I have been to the symposium site and it would not let me register unless I was logged in as an aaw member. Is it just that they don't allow advanced registration for non members or am I doing something wrong?

Maybe I'm wrong about the membership thing. There is a pnone number on this page that has a phone number on it. They can answer your questions about membership.

As a member, I can tell you that it is worth the cost. The magazine alone is worth it as far as I'm concerned AND there are LOTS of other perks - if you are going to get into this, so long as you can meet your other obligations, I'd say go for it.

 

[Charlie Knighton]

Peter,

a national woodturnering symposium only will be withing driving distance about every 5 years (correct me if i am wrong). the symposium moves location yearly.

it is very enjoyable if you do not pressure yourself to see and do everything

i recommend it and eagerly await the announcement of where each coming year's symposium will be, next year it will be in St. Paul

 

[Ed Davidson]

AAW membership is required to attend the paid parts of the symposium (live demonstations) - that's why the online symposium registration page is only accessible through the members area of the website - you have to join first, then register for the symposium. Here's the contact info for the main office - they can answer any questions you may have:

American Association of Woodturners
222 Landmark Center
75 5th St. W.
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-484-9094
651-484-1724 (fax)

email: inquiries@woodturner.org


For a good preview of what the Hartford symposium will be like, have a look through our past symposium photo and videos galleries, via these links:

2009 - Albuquerque, NM
2008 - Richmond, VA
2007 - Portland, Oregon

 

[Don Geiger]

Saving money at the symposium on hotel costs

Several of us saved quite a bit of money by booking a room for $79/night at the Sheraton East Hartford. It's a one mile walk to the convention center. As a vendor, this is a huge savings for me since I will be there for a total of five nights!

To get this deal you must call the hotel directly (860-528-9703) and do not let them send you to Shreraton central reservations. Tell them you are attending the AAW woodturning symposium. This is a "manager's special".

Don Geiger
www.geigerssolutions.com
booth #612

Stop by and say "Hi". Enjoy the symposium.

 

[Steve Worcester]

As a vendor, this is a huge savings for me since I will be there for a total of five nights!
Don Geiger
www.geigerssolutions.com
booth #612

Stop by and say "Hi". Enjoy the symposium.

5 nights? We fly in Thursday at noon, and out at 6PM Sunday. Of course we don't get to see anything around town or anything, but $$ is $$. Turningwood.com will be one of the tabletops on the vendor floor. Me and "Spike".

 

[Don Geiger]

5-nights

My decision was based on the flights I could get in and out and having time to pack up on Sunday. I'm getting in Wednesday and leaving Monday. This is maybe one day longer than I really need, but I don't like being rushed. Plus Ernie and Barbara Folino are coming up with me to work for Bruce at The Sanding Glove booth and it will take them all day on Thursday to set up and all Sunday afternoon to pack back up.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Don

5 nights? We fly in Thursday at noon, and out at 6PM Sunday. Of course we don't get to see anything around town or anything, but $$ is $$. Turningwood.com will be one of the tabletops on the vendor floor. Me and "Spike".

 

[hockenbery]

Peter,
you must be an AAW member to participate in the AAW symposium as registrant or demonstrator.

I can't imagine a better birthday gift.

Open to the public portion of the symposium include the Trade show, Instant gallery, Gallery shows, Emerging artist presentations, EOG auction( after the banquet), and Teapot Auction.

What you can expect is the largest exhibition of turned work, the largest number of demonstrators, the largest number of demonstrations, the largest woodturning trade show on earth.

You cannot possibly see it all. You can however select a set of 11 presentations that will fit your needs and direction in turning, see and often try out equipment.

If you are unable to register. The trade show and instant gallery will have demonstrations throughout much of the day. The instant gallery will have Emerging artists demonstrating during lunch, Many of the trade-show booths have demonstrations throughout the day.
also during lunch of Friday and Saturday there will be intimate critiques during lunch in the instant gallery which you could watch.

If you want your eyes opened to how to use tools more effectively and to the possibilities of what may be accomplished in woodturning. you can't fins a better place to go.

This will be our 14th symposium. I also highly recommend the regional symposiums. in a way the AAW is like the all star game and the regional are Major league. the regionals sponsored by AAW chapters and the Utah symspoium associated with Craft Supplies are much more relaxed and small enough that you can actually see most of the demonstrators and all of the instant gallery.

have fun,
Al

 

[rohan]

vicmarc vl300

I am new to woodturning and I havd a jet 1014 lathe. The jet has gotten too small for the size of bowls that I want to make, to I started looking around for a bigger lathe. After doing some research on the oneway, vega, and a host of other lathes I finally settled on the Vicmarc vl300. I got a display one with about 3 hrs on it for $4900. I paid $5295 with shipping. I am excited about getting this lathe and will be receiving it on 6/11/10.

 

[Peter Cirincione]

thanks guys for all the replies, it has really helped! well I guess i will be joining your ranks, whats another few bucks into the bottomless pit that is my addiction to tools, after all its my birthday. 😀

thanks maybe I will see some of you at the symposium.

 

[John Jordan]

Some of us can help with that addiction. Stop by the trade show. 🙂 It's not a twelve-step program, either.

John

 

[Steve Worcester]

Some of us can help with that addiction. Stop by the trade show. 🙂 It's not a twelve-step program, either.

John

X2
But we want to feed that addiction, not stop it :cool2: