OMSA Convention discussions

[JB Floyd]

As of Monday morning, 11 July we have the following numbers for the convention in Jacksonville:

121 registrants
19 family members
74 members taking 91 bourse tables
11 competitive exhibits, 1 non-competitive, plus the OMSA exhibit

Some procrastinaors will check in over the next month (and one or two at the door), but this is an excellent start. If you haven't registered, please do so and come join us in Jacksonville.

[jbigley]

Hello all:

I'm one of the procrastinators... just mailed my registration today.

Question on bourse: I see from posted schedule that early registration is Weds 10 Aug 1500-1800.

Are we allowed to set up in bourse at that time?

Or do we have to wait until Thurs 11 Aug during 0800 to 1700 to set up?

Thanks in advance for an answer.

JimB

[CECawthorne]

Hello Jim,

Glad to hear your are going to Jacksonville. You can ask Tim Bartholow as co-chairman of the OMSA Convention, but recent past conventions (including my convention in Houston) would not allow set-up till Thurday morning. One of the main reasons is due to not having a Security presence in the Bourse on Wednesday night. The cost for Security is not cheap as at least one officer must be present in the bourse all night to ensure the safety of the everyones' material. Therefore, I would assume it would be the same in Jacksonville.

Best Regards,
Chris

[jbigley]

Thanks Chris. That is how I was thinking it would be (Thurs set up). see you there.

JimB

[JB Floyd]

It looks like we have about 135 registered for the convention now, so it's still growing.

If you haven't registered, now's the time.

[CECawthorne]

To all Convention Attendees,

The New Website Project Team will have a table set up in the Bourse at the Jacksonville Convention. Our main purpose will be to assist OMSA members who might need a little technical help with the website. This can very from how to post pictures in the forum, how to create an avatar, or perhaps log-in issues to take full advantage of being an OMSA member. We will also help register anyone who has not already done so. So come by and see us and give us your feedback on how we can improve and what you would like to see in the future!

Best Regards,
Chris

[Lukasz Gaszewski]

I VERY seriously considered coming to Jacksonville this year. I wanted very much to meet in person the OMSA folks I knew form the Net only. I even booked a flight to US. Still, after reconsidering, regrettably I decided not to arrive. As you know, Poland is not included in the visa waiver program, so I would need to apply for a visa if I wanted to go. A complicated procedure, having to pay $140 (no matter if the visa is granted or refused) and having your fingerprints scanned for the start, frightened me away. An account from a member of the family who applied for the visa last year, about the course of the interview at the embassy (she would do some scientific research in US) ad the questions she was asked was additionally discouraging, so I finally decided not to apply at all. Maybe one day the waiver program will be open for Poland as well and then I will be more than happy to join in.

[gjmcleod]

Lukasz

Even visa waiver entrants to USA have fingerprints, and iris scans, taken on every entry to USA. Don't let it put you off. You'd really enjoy the Convention.

Graeme

[MDS]

Well I won't have a table but plan to attend on Saturday, so I look forward to seeing old friends and maybe making new friends/connections.

Oh, I forgot to say that Jacksonville is in my own backyard so I know where to get a cold one

Regards

MDS

[MDS]

Just a follow up for those attending. Is there anything that anyone is looking for in particular? who knows, I might just have something. Drop me a PM

Regards

MDS