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On February 2nd, the 2008 Conference Committee met at El Adobe Restaurant in historic San Juan Capistrano to discuss the myriad of tasks that need to be addressed in preparation for the 14th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Botanical Artists scheduled for October 30 – November 1, 2008 at the Huntington Library, Art Collection and Botanical Gardens and the Pasadena Hilton. As a result of their efforts during their working lunch, many sub-committees were established. The following committees were created at this meeting: Chapter Conference Poster & Signage; Exhibit Reception/Banquet; Banquet Decorations; ASBA Evening Entertainment; Small Works Exhibit; Transportation & Field Trips; Holiday Themes; Instructors & Classes; Portfolio Sharing; Registration; Silent Auction; Techniques Showcase; Volunteer Task List; and Conference Websites.

Conference co-chairs, Deborah Shaw and Tania Marien, are still looking for volunteers to head up the following tasks:

• Activities for Spouses & Kids: One person is needed to gather information about activities for spouses and children traveling with ASBA members. This person would not be making reservations or making detailed arrangements. They would simply serve as the go-to person who would direct spouses and children towards activities that may be of interest to them.

• Advertising/Vendors’ Exhibit: There will be an Exhibitors’ Hall this year. At least two people are required to assist with coordinating vendors, advertisers and sponsors.

• Homestays & Roommates: One person is needed to help ASBA members, interested in sharing costs with a roommate, pair up with their conference roomie.

If you would like to assist with any of the tasks above, please contact Tania Marien.

The 2008 Conference Committee will meet next on March 1, 2008. Details are forthcoming.

One hundred twenty acres of gardens, twelve eager volunteers, 11 meeting rooms, 9 classrooms, two patios, one fireplace, one ballroom, one arcade, and one invaluable project management application. This sums up the meeting that kicked off Conference Year 2008.

On January 5th, an eager group of conference volunteers toured both venues of the 2008 ASBA conference. Members of the Conference Committee were led on a tour of all classroom and exhibit spaces that the ASBA will use during the conference. Melanie Thorpe provided detailed information about the Huntington’s classroom as she led the committee through the botanical center. Melanie also lead the group through the Teaching Greenhouse, the Head House, and the conservatory.

Upon completing the tour of the botanical center, committee members carpooled to the Pasadena Hilton where they met with Nancy Ceballos, Convention Services Manager, who gave a guided tour of the meeting rooms that will serve as the settings for half-day and full-day workshops, the Portfolio Sharing session, the Techniques Showcase, the Silent Auction and the annual banquet. Committee members also received a sneak peek of the very comfortable guest rooms that will be waiting for conference participants when they arrive later this year.

The Conference Committee continued their meeting over lunch at the hotel restaurant. Deborah Shaw introduced the committee to Basecamp, the Web-based project management application that is being used to organize the many, many, many tasks related to the conference. Deborah demonstrated how committee members can access Basecamp to complete assigned tasks and how they can notify fellow members so that all committee members remain informed about the committee’s progress. Committee members who attended the meeting were given access to Basecamp and are ready to receive conference information. Guild members who were unable to attend the meeting will be given access and a tutorial at future meetings. So do not feel left out. There is plenty of room for you at Basecamp!

Learn more about the conference at the January 19th Guild meeting. A detailed task list will be distributed and discussed. If you are unable to attend this meeting, but would like to volunteer, please contact Tania Marien.

The Conference Committee will meet again on February 2, 2008. Details will be announced shortly.

Special Acknowledgment
The 2008 Conference Committee would like to genuinely thank Melanie Thorpe and Nancy Ceballos for making time to meet with them on January 5th.