1st annual Alembic Convention?

[jlpicard]

Hey gang, I just had a random thought.Has anyone considered the possibility of organizing a small  annual gathering of Alembic owners/club members/enthusiasts, perhaps in Santa Rosa to include displaying/trading /selling of instruments, live performance of mini bass orchestras exchange of information, creating new friendships,perhaps even an Alembic Factory Day,( if Suzan ,Mica and Ron are willing??) I personaly think it would be great fun getting to meet the great group of people that call themselves the Alembic Club. Is it crazy,too difficult to organize, or just a  plain dumb idea?
Any thoughts? Mica, what do you think?

[bob]

I'm surprised someone else in the gang hasn't responded yet, but yes, there has been quite a bit of discussion about this.
 
(In case that doesn't work, see Miscellaneous/Archive through April 02, 2004/Alembic gathering)
 
I certainly don't speak for Alembic, but my sense is that they are so busy building wonderful instruments for us that hosting an event of this sort is not even on their radar. Speaking for myself, that's just fine - I prefer the personal attention that we get (and I'm not big on large groups anyway).
 
I don't think it's crazy or dumb, though definitely a lot of work to organize, and (having been there several times now) I don't think that Alembic is quite the right place to host it. And this being a truly international community, location is a pretty big deal.
 
But anyway, have a look at the previous discussion and carry on over there.

[811952]

Michael,
I believe we're all going to sleep in Paul TBO's guest room in Belgium sometime next summer.  Bring your own hot water...  Seriously, it has been brought up.  I think it would be cool to have some sort of gathering near the mothership, but I think fears of overwhelming the Wickershams are valid as well.  If something does happen to get planned, I'm certain we'll all know about it via these boards.  And there was much rejoicing...
John the itinerant one.

[bracheen]

So far Paul TBO is the only one who has actually come up with a viable plan.  His plan does involve traveling to Belgium.  Captain Jan suggested alternating between Europe and the US every other year with the first year in Belgium.  I think Paul was aiming for next Spring.  There was also a chocolate factory mentioned.
Since we're really an organized group there is not a committe or board or other type governing body to set anything up.  I would be willing to volunteer to help with such a committe.  I don't think that I have the experience to serve in a leadership capacity but I can help.
 
At any rate I plan on being in Belgium next spring if all goes well between now and then.
 
Sam  

[jlpicard]

Bob, Thanks for bringing me up to speed on the planned meeting in Belgium. It might be cost prohibitive for many of us, though I would love to attend! Perhaps if we did it in the U.S. we might be able to convince one of the Wickershams to attend as a guest speaker? Mike