Sometimes when you plan an event, real life just gets in the road. In a few short hours, the Western Regional Computer Advisory Committee’s Symposium 2010 event will take place. As a planner for this annual event, there always seems to be something just around the corner that seems poised to make the wheels wobble and potentially derail things.
This year was particularly eventful.
As you post the program and open registration, that little voice in the back of your mind always asks the question “What happens if you throw a party and nobody comes?” But, it’s a credit to the educators in South Western Ontario that over 400 folks eventually registered and will join together in a great day of learning.
Along the way, things just kept popping up that make you question whether we’re able to go ahead.
Weather – Not only is this always a concern when you hold a conference in December, but this year was particularly eventful in London, Middlesex County, Oxford County, Huron County, and Perth County. But, a window opened and people started to descend upon London yesterday.
Flight Cancellations – It’s such a short distance between Detroit and London. It’s just a quick up and down when you’re in an airplane! However, you can’t finish if you can’t start. Thanks to some brainstorming and a cell phone conversation, alternative travel plans are made and a shuttle trip solves the situation.
Getting into the Country – Our borders are secure. But, it did take a whack of phone calls, and a fax from school to convince the agents that we had room for one more person on December 9.
Getting airflight times correct – Even though London International Airport is small by Pearson International standards, there are multiple arrivals from Canadian airports. My partner in this learned the importance of getting the times right. Airports are such fun places to kill some time!
USB Memory Keys – Everyone loves to go paperless and resources on a memory key seems like such an easy thing to do until the realization that someone has to open 420 packages and copy the content 420 times. Paper doesn’t look so bad anymore.
In the end, it does all come together. A nice late supper had the committee and the best part is the opportunity to talk and learn with each other as it happens.
Me with Angela Maiers – thanks, @Ron_Mill
Ian Jukes, Ron Millar and Andy Forgrave – thanks, my HTC Legend
When I hit the hay last night, all seemed to be coming together nicely. It’s always awesome to have a great committee and great friends to help pull it all together.
The audience will be full of very active, and I mean very active, Ontario Educators. Even in the picture above, @aforgrave is getting a jump on the action! If you’re not able to join us in London or you do join us and feel like you’re missing something, track the event using the Twitter Hashtag #RCAC2010
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The content of this blog is generated by whatever strikes my fancy at any given point. It might be computers, weather, political, or something else in nature. I experiment and comment a lot on things so don't take anything here too seriously; I might change my mind a day later but what you read is my thought and opinion at the time I wrote it! My formal education includes a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto. Ontario Ministry of Education and Training qualifications are in Data Processing, Computer Science, Accounting, and Mathematics. My personal website is at: http://www.dougpeterson.ca Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dougpete I'm bookmarking things at: http://www.delicious.com/dougpete
