I think that Rosie and a few others have already signed up!!!

I went last year; it was wonderful. Not sure yet if I can swing it again this year. Was just looking over the workshops and there are so many that I would love to attend!

Who else is going?

Becky, on the SAMA schedule, they have presentations and workshops. The workshops have extra fees. Were the presentations good? What workshop(s) did you attend? How was the exhibit hall, was it enough to keep your attention all day?
I've attended lots of academic and professional conferences but this sounds very different.

Wow ...... Ya know ..... I've been going through so much stress here ... DH owes me a vacation . LOL

d3bbi,

EVERYTHING was fabulous! IF ANYONE IS sitting on the fence with the decision to go to this conference...JUMP off and sign up. I had been dreaming of going for years.....ever since I heard of them. Last year iit was held in the Phoenix/Mesa area...it worked and I was able to attend.

The only way to explain the entire four days was "total submerssion into the mosaic world!" I took a class from Kim Emerson on "Large Scale Outdoor Mosaics" I participated in the Mosaic Marathon (large five panel mosaic done by everyone attending the conference and then donated to the SW Human Development in Phoenix installed on the outside of their building), I volunteered to help with the registration table, the SAMA store, the brown bag exchange, or anywhere else needed. I didn't know a soul when I first got their but after four days, I met so many interesting and incredibly talented people. Mosaic artists like Sonia King and Sherri Warner, & from London, Gary Drostle and way too many others to mention. The presentations and keynote speakers were marvelous and the VENDORS....incredible.

I really want to go to Miami.......

Becky

I'm definitely going. I joined SAMA, signed up for the conference AND the Sherri Warner Hunter workshop (the one on Wednesday). Can hardly wait. Am really looking forward to meeting d3bbi - and sure hope more of you can make it so we can meet in person. Rosie - are you still planning on it?? Bama - I think you were thinking about it??

I've been under the weather the last few days so haven't spent much time here. Yes, I see the schedule is out. Have spent the last hour looking over the list of activities/workshops, etc. I'm thinking about the "Business Development Workshop" w/Sonia King and "Hands-on Simple Mold Making & Casting Techniques/Materials for making custom tiles". I just called to see if I could use my HiltonHonorPoints for the hotel. Well sure, I can have a free room for two days BUT then I can't have the SAMA Conference Rate! Drat. BUT, I'm IN! Will register today. QUESTION: Are any of you taking your DHs? BAMA: There is a workshop scheduled that you might like, "Showtime w/Jackie Russo". check it out.

Thanks for pointing that out Rosie! Does sound like what I need.
I joined SAMA a few months ago in hopes of going to this conference, but now I'm not sure I can afford it.
Dang it all!!

Thanks, Becky, for the details. Sounds very exciting.

Rosemary, don't know about DH yet, but I doubt it. He won't commit til closer til time anyway.

I am really looking forward to meeting Lyndalu, Rosemary and ????

oh, and I forgot to answer....no - don't have a DH to bring - I'll be solo.

And if you have the time - try to plan on seeing the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens in Coral Gables while you're there!!!

Well, I still haven't registered. My finances are tight so I thought I'd wait until the 17th because then the charge won't show up on my AmEx bill until late Jan 2008! Am also waiting for someone to get back to me on the one workshop re the custom tiles and molds. Did you notice that there is also a box asking for discount/coupons when you register? Waiting for an answer on that TOO! LYNDALU and D3BBI: What workshops are you taking?

Hi Rosie - I'm signed up for the Sherri Warner Hunter workshop on Wednesday. It's carving a base out of polystyrene foam and using fiberglass mesh and polymer fortified concrete.

Rosemary, I haven't registered yet either. I told DH that was the only thing I wanted for Christmas so I'm sure he has registered me. I haven't studied the workshops enough yet to know what I will register for. Glad to know you are going!

Lyndalu, Sherri Warner Hunter's workshop sounds good. I need to check the workshops out.

I am going, it's about a 3 hour drive for me. I'm a little confused though. The vendors, are they only open for the times listed? Is the general public allowed to shop at all times? I'm asking because I don't know if I will be able to attend the entire time. I might only be able to go to one workshop, see the vendors goodies and head back home.

I haven't chatted a whole lot, but I lurk everyday. I would love to meet everyone and am excited to put some faces with the names.

Take Care,
Amie

Amie, glad you will be attending. My experience with professional conferences is that you have to pay the registration fee to get into the exhibit hall. I assume this would be the same.

Debbi - that's been my experience, too (that you have to pay the registration fee to get into the exhibit hall), but....If you click the CONFERENCE tab, then click on Vendor Marketplace it gives you the times - and it looks like that is the ONLY times it is available....and it does say that on Saturday from 11:15 am - 2:30 PM that it is "OPEN TO THE PUBLIC".

You really have to do a lot of reading to get ALL the information. :) It took me awhile to figure out all the extra charges, and the meal tickets, etc....

And you do have to be registered to attend a workshop - and there's an additional fee for the workshops.

Amie - where are you at? It's about 2 1/2 hr drive for me - I'm in Cape Coral.

My plan is to drive and drop DH off in Bradenton to stay with friends. Then I'll drive myself to Miami (about 3 1/2 hours) for the conference.
You're correct about the workshops. BUT some of them don't have additional fees because all you're getting out of it is INFO--like Sonia King's "Business Development".

Rosie - from what I read - ALL the workshops require additional fees - the page that I'm looking at has a fee of $175 for Sonia King's Business Development Workshop.

Lyndalu, so glad you corrected me. I need to study the website more.

Oh, I've confused y'all. I knew that. What I meant was fees above and beyond the workshop itself, such as for materials.

Maybe I can help here. First of all... to be able get the lowest registration price & to attend any of the workshops, you must be a member of SAMA (annual dues of $55). The workshop fee is in addition to the registration. SOME workshops have an additional "materials" charge.

Most workshops are just information, discussion, presentations. Few (like Shari Warner's) are hands on and those have the additional fee. You don't have to do any workshops as there is plenty to do and one will want to be there the entire time (if possible) so you don't miss anything! (Want to get your money's worth!)

Thursday-Saturday, the vendors are there for the conference attendees. Thursday evening the opening party with everyone attending the exhibit of mosaic works by members (absolutely fabulous!) Friday starts the keynote speakers presentations and a dinner Friday evening.... Saturday morning - the annual meeting (very interesting), the Brown Bag Exchange, Saturday afternoon the raffle drawings & Saturday night the closing party/dance.

In between, you just visit with other mosaic artists and have a great time!

But it is expensive! I just sat down and figured out what it would cost (including air fare, hotel, registration, one class, lunches) and I am now close to $1,500 NOT including the vendors....

Becky

Thank you everybody...that explains alot. I looked at the website for over an hour and was on information overload. I have been wanting to become a member of SAMA for a while now and just haven't done it. This gives me the perfect excuse. Thanks again everybody for the clarification.

Lyndalu, I am in St. Pete so I guess it really is about a 4 hour drive.

Almost forgot to register and make hotel reservations. Just finished doing that. I did sign up for Sonia King's class. Have any of you bought meal tickets?

please e-mail me at mccumberpe@cableone.net so we can talk specifics....