Maybe, for intended attendees of the next fest, a downloadable template could be provided, allowing folks to put their screen names, avatars, and real names on their badges, then, print their own badges and bring them along, to put into an official badge holder (for proof of registration). Many folks did not include their screen names on their badges, and I for one, probably walked right past folks I would have wanted to accost with some well chewed fat, if only I had known who they were. As in here, there is no better way to identify folks than by a quick glance at their avatar.

I don't intend to cause a badge creation bottleneck at the registration table. That is why I suggest folks can print theirs at home, or at a fest laptop/printer setup, then use some sort of officially marked badge holder, to show that registration has taken place, with associated fees.

Maybe some folks could step up and share the manning and operation of a room or 2, dedicated to basic instruction about the audio game: setting up turntables, basics of speaker positioning, room treatments, vinyl care, etc. etc. etc. Maybe specific seminar classes could be held at specified times, where folks could attend if interested.

I offer my own services in either or both ot these areas.

Enjoy,
Rich P

Excellent suggestions on the name tags as well as the seminars! Not that there isn't plenty to do and lots to see. I for one am always up to learning new stuff, and picking up some new ideas! On a side note , I lived in Tucson 1973-1986, is Electronic City still there on 22nd Street?

Terrry

Great suggestions Rich.

One thing I do is help develop training seminars and presentations. And the most successful and satisfying ones are when the people attending aren't just spectators but get involved and have actual hands on.

I think this is a great point! My bad vision and worthless memory need all the help they can get.

I know that members came into my room and got mostly ignored because I couldn't tell them apart from walk-ins, and at any distance, I can't read those damn name tags. I feel stupid leaning over towards someone's chest to peer at the small print. Walk-ins with just "MIKE" on the tag were easy to see, but told me nothing.

I was thinking that we could change the badges to make ID easier. For me a simple visual that I don't have to squint at will work best.

The exhibitors got badges with a red "Exhibitor" tag at the bottom. I was thinking that we could use a white tag for AK Member and blue for AK Staff (mods etc.). Walk-ins get no tag. For me, that'd make it a LOT easier.

I think this is a great point! My bad vision and worthless memory need all the help they can get.

I know that members came into my room and got mostly ignored because I couldn't tell them apart from walk-ins, and at any distance, I can't read those damn name tags. I feel stupid leaning over towards someone's chest to peer at the small print. Walk-ins with just "MIKE" on the tag were easy to see, but told me nothing.

I was thinking that we could change the badges to make ID easier. For me a simple visual that I don't have to squint at will work best.

The exhibitors got badges with a red "Exhibitor" tag at the bottom. I was thinking that we could use a white tag for AK Member and blue for AK Staff (mods etc.). Walk-ins get no tag. For me, that'd make it a LOT easier.

Excellent thoughts, Rich and David.
Would certainly make things much easier!

I think that suggestions like these would go a long way to make newbies feel more comfortable in going up to and introducing themselves. I like the idea of having the post count number big and loud on the badge - AK veterans can make an effort to reach out to the the newbies and get them involved. Experiences like what SubWolfer mentioned in his thread could be handled better...

:music:

allowing folks to put their screen names, avatars, and real names on their badge Perhaps this will make me think twice about changing my avatar every couple of days. :D

This was a new registration setup for us and when we opened (almost 30 minutes early), we were pleasantly surprised to see that there was a line for almost 3 hours.# Where that time went is a blur.......In the past we used all of the same color lanyards for everyone.# This year we made the decision to make sure that the exibitors stood out by giving them lanyards that said "Exibitors".# We tried at the registration table to try and put the members name onto the nametag, but alot of people did not want thier AK name on the nametag.# Who were we to argue.# You guys have given some great suggestions for the nametags, some of which we have considered in the past.# Every year we have tried to make improvements on the last, and this year we learned alot.# After a few weeks of relaxation and decompressing we will start planning next years fest.# David needs to get his voice back (I am loving this) and I need to rest my "robofoot".Thanks again to everyone who attended......

I like the idea of having some instructional seminars.

DIY amplifier building Q+A would be sweet!

It would take too long, but imagine if you could leave the fest with a flea power DIY amp and a little fostex single driver speaker system.

(I think I am dreaming though, that would be a logistical nightmare)

I intend to bring a 'new user welcome taser'. I'm sure it will be a big hit.

I like the idea of having some instructional seminars.

DIY amplifier building Q+A would be sweet!

It would take too long, but imagine if you could leave the fest with a flea power DIY amp and a little fostex single driver speaker system.

(I think I am dreaming though, that would be a logistical nightmare)

While seminars may be cool, my gut feel is that there really isn't any time. I had a swap table again this year and me and my roomies decided that if we have the Swap room again, we'd prefer to have it open only on Saturday so to free us up on Sunday to hang in the exhibition rooms. :yes: so taking another hour out of a already too short weekend seems counterproductive to me.

I've toyed with doing a refoam presentation, but really think I'll tape a youtube video for it and post a link here. That topic really is simple enough that it makes perfect sense. But something like DIY amp building, crossover design, or speaker building seems complex enough that any seminar may be too complex for beginners and to simple for the pros.

While seminars may be cool, my gut feel is that there really isn't any time. I had a swap table again this year and me and my roomies decided that if we have the Swap room again, we'd prefer to have it open only on Saturday so to free us up on Sunday to hang in the exhibition rooms. :yes: so taking another hour out of a already too short weekend seems counterproductive to me.

I've toyed with doing a refoam presentation, but really think I'll tape a youtube video for it and post a link here. That topic really is simple enough that it makes perfect sense. But something like DIY amp building, crossover design, or speaker building seems complex enough that any seminar may be too complex for beginners and to simple for the pros.

But we could put together a couple one-hour seminars on basic speaker design, or tube amp design, a short course of the history of hi-fi with names and short bios of the giants, even a quickie class on how a tube works.

I know lots of guys who want to get more involved with tubes, but this isn't their generation's technology - or even dad's. Grandpa's, maybe. Give 'em the quick run-down so they know a triode from a pentode and turn 'em loose on the manufacturers.

Hell, I'd be willing to teach. I've been a corporate trainer for over a decade. Might cut into my "annoying people with my camera" time, though.

We tried at the registration table to try and put the members name onto the nametag, but alot of people did not want thier AK name on the nametag.# Who were we to argue.# You guys have given some great suggestions for the nametags, some of which we have considered in the past.#

To make it easier for the check-in staff, if the size of the nametag holder was posted in advance, those who preferred to could print up their own at home and bring it with them to insert into the holder.

Other subjects for possible displays or seminars:

Re-foaming seems to be a common request.

Setting Bias and DC Offset.

Removing and soldering components from circuit boards.

Speaker placement.


Kept short, 15-30min, they could be rotated on a schedule, leaving plenty of time for the presenters to browse the show.

Setting Bias and DC Offset. Removing and soldering components from circuit boards.


Sound fine, but I'd check the old liability insurance before those two - or get signed waivers up front!

OK a thought suggesting what you would like to see is great.

Finding someone to provide your suggest is Awesome.

doing the leg work for Grumpy and the people who already have way to much to do is OUTSTANDING.

So guys take this the next BIG step and if you want to see how someone refoams a woofer find someone who has a woofer to refoam and the knowledge to do it and get it set up.

I'll bet if someone emailed Dave in a couple weeks when he and his over worked crew finally wake up from their much needed rest. And said Dave we need a room to put on demos we have this guy who will do a speaker refoam dem 4 times on Saturday and twice on Sunday. We have a guy who will demo iron on Veneer twice on Sat and twice on Sunday we have a guy who will build a small 8 watt tube amp over the course of the event in 4 stages (thinking one of the cheap kits)

And all we need is a room to set it up I bet Dave would be tickled to make it happen.

If on the other hand you have great suggestions to add to Dave's HUGE list of work to do. I see it as something that might not happen.

SO my suggestion is Ask not what Dave and AK can do for you, But what can you do for AK.

to paraphrase.

Well put!

Hey Nancy!

How about this: One month in advance, AK members can fill out their info on the site and pay for the Fest via Paypal. Their nametag will be pre-printed with no waiting at the Fest. It'll have their first name and AK name in easy-to-read print, and a member color tag for easy ID. Color code:

Members will be green,
Subscribers will be red,
Staff will be blue,
Exhibitors will be black,
Walk-ins get no extra tag part.

Since we'll have a month to get these printed, there won't be a panic, and the member benefits by no waiting to register. Subscribers get to attend some free function... dunno what, and staff and exhibitors are easy to identify. Staff benefits by easier registration and shorter lines.

Of course, I'm making this up... :D

Maybe some folks could step up and share the manning and operation of a room or 2, dedicated to basic instruction about the audio game: setting up turntables, basics of speaker positioning, room treatments, vinyl care, etc. etc. etc. Maybe specific seminar classes could be held at specified times, where folks could attend if interested.

I'd be happy to help out on the speaker side. I could probably put together a herd of speakers to show different types (currently I have sealed, ported, TL, and horns on the premises, could create OB and line array in a matter of days, and could probably come up with planar magnetics and AMT if I asked the right guys) with displays on how/why they work. I would be disinclined to spend the whole weekend there though as room hopping and hobnobbing were the highlights of my weekend this year.

I don't know if refoaming a speaker every hour would work out well because the rooms were pretty small (assuming the same or a similar venue for next year) and you'd never get more than about 10 people who could actually see what was going on. However, a static display of the various stages of a refoam might work out as passersby could check them out at their leisure and ask questions.


I offer my own services in either or both ot these areas.

Bless you, sir. You are a gentleman and a scholar, and I mean that most sincerely.

Ray

I would be more than willing to coordinate the "shoestring contest" if there were a couple of rooms available to conduct it in.

G

Hey Nancy!

How about this: One month in advance, AK members can fill out their info on the site and pay for the Fest via Paypal. Their nametag will be pre-printed with no waiting at the Fest. It'll have their first name and AK name in easy-to-read print, and a member color tag for easy ID. Color code:

Members will be green,
Subscribers will be red,
Staff will be blue,
Exhibitors will be black,
Walk-ins get no extra tag part.

Since we'll have a month to get these printed, there won't be a panic, and the member benefits by no waiting to register. Subscribers get to attend some free function... dunno what, and staff and exhibitors are easy to identify. Staff benefits by easier registration and shorter lines.

Of course, I'm making this up... :D

Great idea, one to add to that is some have mentioned a post count on the badges,
but maybe better yet say a yellow dot for members with 500 or fewer posts, to see
there new or possibly like some sites do with Silver, Gold and Platinum member status.

Since vinyl continues to be the big draw in the swap rooms, I wonder if it's time to expose folks to the "dark side" with a true monaural listening station. This remains an untapped reserve for both seller and listener/buyer. Mono, when set up right, can sound very, very good. This summer I'll be working on a heavy plinthed Presto Pirouette with a Garrard TPA 10 tonearm / GE VRII cart. I've also got a nice bottom ported corner cab that I'm looking to populate with mono era horns and an Altec woofer.
Anyway, if we did decide to vacate at least one of the swap rooms on a Sunday, this would be the natural spot to hold seminars.
Wood glue anybody?

- Mario

Great idea, one to add to that is some have mentioned a post count on the badges,
but maybe better yet say a yellow dot for members with 500 or fewer posts, to see
there new or possibly like some sites do with Silver, Gold and Platinum member status.


I'm not sure based on the ease at which some members have found to create HUGE number of posts in a very short period of time basing the ratings (in your example of Silver Gold Platinum) etc. would have the proper meaning. I think it could be as simple as putting the date they joined AK.

Then if your at the FEST manning a room and someone walks in and you notice they have only been a member for a couple months you might go a little further to make them welcome..(though personally I don't know how the people I meet could have been nicer)

I like the preprinted name badge idea. And to go along with my previous post I can develop a Prototype and offer it up in Jpeg form I'm not sure my old publishing software would be real applicable to everyones current stuff.

But a prototype would at least give us something to discuss and maybe once the design is laid out someone with more computer skills could create a form that could be filled in.

OR I could just step up and handle the WHOLE DAMN THING I know how to type. So lets just do this should the powers that be agree with the Name badge upgrade and the Prepay system.

I will offer to create an approved design and using my photo quality Canon Printer and Costco Photo paper I will process and print up the name badges for next years FEST. And ship them to Dave to be handed out at registration.

OK I stepped up lets see some more.

I'll work on a first Prototype tomorrow and POST it in a new thread in this forum for open discussion.

The only reason I don't like to do something with post counts on badges is to me it would alienate or intimidate non or new members.

Keep the ideas flowing folks. Thanks

Grumpy

Great idea, one to add to that is some have mentioned a post count on the badges,
but maybe better yet say a yellow dot for members with 500 or fewer posts, to see
there new or possibly like some sites do with Silver, Gold and Platinum member status.


We could use Silver, Gold, Platinum, Vinyl David.

Dave my wife had a good idea on this a simple Member Since date. I already have a prototype up on my other computer I'm going to go through this thread once more to see if I have missed any idea's I should try to work into it.

I have of course used my own name badge as an example

It's funny but I made sure my name badge from this year got home in good shape so I have the perfect thing to use for the prototype. And it turns out the card section is exactly 1/2 the size of a 4X6 piece of photo paper. I could print out eith two members on a sheet or two copies which ever the group thinks is the best.

I'll even handle all costs with the actual printing of these Dave as my minor contribution. Being I'm a few thousand miles away this is one thing I can do for next year to help out.

One thing I'd like to see next year is a list of people (I'm in!) to spell the registration folks so they can enjoy the fest from somewhere other than a registration table. It wouldn't be much of a sacrifice to spend an hour sitting there and if 20 people did that then Nancy and her posse could actually see some of the rooms, listen to some tunes, and most importantly, relax a little.

Ray

The only reason I don't like to do something with post counts on badges is to me it would alienate or intimidate non or new members.

Keep the ideas flowing folks. Thanks

Grumpy

As a FNG, I agree with your thought on that . How about somehow indicating that this is a first AKFest visit and/or which previous fests have been attended, along with the member since date?

Another thought, other fests issue pins or buttons each year. Over the years people collect these and tend to wear all of them each year, thus, the more pins, the more experience. Some room for inaccuracy in this, but at the least, it's a nice souvenir and maybe even a collectible some day.:scratch2:

It is a shame knowing that there were many members that came into my room and never introduced themselves or I did not see or recognize their tag. I should have posted a sign in the room that said.. "Please introduce yourself if you are an AK Member" and another that listed what I was using for gear.

I specifically asked everyone on another website forum to introduce themselves and low and behold, I met two new, very nice guys.


On another note, we need some signs to put on the hidden corridors pointing out that there are "More Rooms this way ->". Additionally, it would be helpful if there were a sign sticking out from the door frame that identified the room as a "AK Listening Room ->" rather than just posted on the window or door that cannot be seen from down the hall. I am POSITIVE I missed rooms because of the lack of better signage.

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining.. I just wasn't prepared for the rooms being as scattered as they were. Had I known it, I would have brought some easels, which I will volunteer to do next year, if the staff thinks they'd be helpful..?

After seeing the pictures, I see now that I missed several rooms.
I would have sat in on the Polks for sure!
I never even saw them :( :cry:

Even a simple right angle cardboard thingie with a chunk of tape holding it to the glass would be sufficient to call attention to the rooms on the ends...

The people behind the tables did a great job. Perhaps some members on this site would be volunteered for a greeter, ensuring that people know that opening doors is what they have paid for the right to do. Introduce them to the concept of barging in and listening while they are still in line.

Even a TV with a 'puter connected to it set up so that the people in line would be looking at it while they waited, like they have at Disney, letting the people in line know what to do. While they wait, there is a little one minute or two minute blurb in a loop on the TV, showing a camera walking around the joint from room to room. This video would only take a little while to do and judging by the feedback, might be very helpful.
I would volunteer to set this up if we could get a TV from the hotel.

...How about somehow indicating that this is a first AKFest visit and/or which previous fests have been attended, along with the member since date?

I like the # of Fests attended idea much better than post count or member since date. Great idea, as it's the thing that really matters the most.

I agree that the number of Fests attended is probably much more significant than number of posts. Great idea...

So as not to be perceived as an armchair quarterback I would be happy to offer some constructive help here if seen as of any value:

I would donate the hosting and construction/maintenance of a website for the event with info, maps, photos, diagrams, layout, lists of vendors, calendar, hotel info, etc. As an added benefit to the vendors I would be happy to offer them free advertising on the site to go along with their space at the event.

I registered the domain:

AudioKarmaFest.com (http://www.audiokarmafest.com)

I would be happy to donate its use and content to the future success of this event.

:music:

That sounds like a great idea! Would it be possible to also offer advertising, either free or paid, to local businesses that could benefit from Fest attendees, ei, pubs, restaurants, record shops, taxis, etc?

That sounds like a great idea! Would it be possible to also offer advertising, either free or paid, to local businesses that could benefit from Fest attendees, ei, pubs, restaurants, record shops, taxis, etc?

Absolutely and I would make sure that any revenue generated from the site goes back to the Fest...

:music:

I'm game for doing a refoam presentation, and I'm serious about the Youtube thing too. I really don't want to rain on anybodys' parade, but refoaming really is a lot like paint a house; most of the work is involved in preparing the surface. I spend most of the time removing the big chunks of foam, then scraping the basket and cone with a sharp chisel, then apply and remove an adhesive solvent. Once the speaker is clean and dry, it's just a matter of gluing it up.

I offered Retro a field trip to my house to show him how, but that really would have taken too much time from the Fest. I was offered a chance to use Army's room, but wussed out as I wouldn't have my trust woodworker's vises as supports and didn't want to drag out a Work-Mate, a bunch of chisels, solvents, rags, glues and brushes.

But if it turns out that we do get a Seminar room for a day, count me in for a Refoam Clinic; I'll be happy to scrape and glue :yes:

I'm game for doing a refoam presentation, and I'm serious about the Youtube thing too. I really don't want to rain on anybodys' parade, but refoaming really is a lot like paint a house; most of the work is involved in preparing the surface. I spend most of the time removing the big chunks of foam, then scraping the basket and cone with a sharp chisel, then apply and remove an adhesive solvent. Once the speaker is clean and dry, it's just a matter of gluing it up.

I offered Retro a field trip to my house to show him how, but that really would have taken too much time from the Fest. I was offered a chance to use Army's room, but wussed out as I wouldn't have my trust woodworker's vises as supports and didn't want to drag out a Work-Mate, a bunch of chisels, solvents, rags, glues and brushes.

But if it turns out that we do get a Seminar room for a day, count me in for a Refoam Clinic; I'll be happy to scrape and glue :yes:
Maybe having a few speakers of the same model, in various stages of refoam, with instruction on tips and tricks, adhesive choices, useful tools and techniques, test methods, expectations and sources...

Enjoy,
Rich P

If we do the website we can list all the workshops/seminars and then later put up some videos on the site post-fest...

:music:

Looks like next years Fest is going to be even better!

However, a static display of the various stages of a refoam might work out as passersby could check them out at their leisure and ask questions.

Maybe having a few speakers of the same model, in various stages of refoam, with instruction on tips and tricks, adhesive choices, useful tools and techniques, test methods, expectations and sources...

Why wasn't that a good idea when I said it? ;)

Ray

Why wasn't that a good idea when I said it?
You type funny.

Nevermind......posted before I read that others have already mentioned my idea

Why wasn't that a good idea when I said it? ;)

Ray

I would have used the cooking show format. You still do some of the work but don't have to "paint the whole house" Static stuff is like reading an instruction manual. If work is being done it will stick in.....my....head more

How about a informal get together with an open bar Friday night?? It would help break the ice and match faces to names.

How about a informal get together with an open bar Friday night?? It would help break the ice and match faces to names.

BYOB.

Welcome to AK.

BYOB.

Welcome to AK.

Agreed. a cash bar would work. Open bar is just asking for trouble and is expensive.

How about a informal get together with an open bar Friday night?? It would help break the ice and match faces to names.

A lot of people that attend the Fest are not in the hotel Friday night. 95% of the people I meet at the Fest didn't need any Ice breaking. and most of the FEST was an informal get together. It has been my limited experiance that drinking at the Fest requires no event LOL. It is an event.

A follow-up thought on the workshop suggestions, particularly speaker refoaming and turntable/cartridge setup.

From the end of the first Fest until now this has been one of the most commonly suggested topics. Trying to do it in the small listening rooms has always been the killer. However...

Now we're in an actual hotel, with actual facilities. For all of the mods who were in attendance at Sunday's lunch, think about that small conference room. We could set up a workbench/table at one end, on a raised platform, with a small video camera pointed at the speaker being refoamed, or the turntable being set up. The video camera would be connected to a laptop and projector, which would be showing the work on a screen, which could be easily seen by the attending crowd sitting in several rows of chairs.

We could do speaker refoaming demonstrations and turntable setup demonstrations several times a day on both days. This could be one of the things advertised in advance, with registrations for workshops being done at the same time you register for the Fest.

Come to AK Fest '09, and learn how to replace the surrounds on your speakers! Learn how to set up that turntable! Sign up now! Bring a friend!:D

A follow-up thought on the workshop suggestions, particularly speaker refoaming and turntable/cartridge setup.

From the end of the first Fest until now this has been one of the most commonly suggested topics. Trying to do it in the small listening rooms has always been the killer. However...

Now we're in an actual hotel, with actual facilities. For all of the mods who were in attendance at Sunday's lunch, think about that small conference room. We could set up a workbench/table at one end, on a raised platform, with a small video camera pointed at the speaker being refoamed, or the turntable being set up. The video camera would be connected to a laptop and projector, which would be showing the work on a screen, which could be easily seen by the attending crowd sitting in several rows of chairs.

We could do speaker refoaming demonstrations and turntable setup demonstrations several times a day on both days. This could be one of the things advertised in advance, with registrations for workshops being done at the same time you register for the Fest.

Come to AK Fest '09, and learn how to replace the surrounds on your speakers! Learn how to set up that turntable! Sign up now! Bring a friend!:D

If this hotel has conference rooms and caters to conventions and the like, it's quite likely they have some of this a/v equipment already available and ready to use.