Jen the RD Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 I just returned from the Georgia convention. In light of the lengthy thread last week about the irrelevance of speakers and topics addressing the needs of many on this board, I thought I'd encourage you with some good news. Dh and I were talking with the owner of Children's Books (out of Lyman, SC). She mentioned that she had conducted a survey of her customers last summer asking about what conventions they attended and what speakers/topics that they were interested in. Guess what she found? Yep, the majority of her customers never attended conventions because the topics and speakers were just not relevant to them. Does this sound familiar? So, using all of her customer feedback, she teamed up with the man who planned and marketed the Cincinnati convention earlier this year. He plans to hold 3 conferences next year promising the best of the best in speakers and topics. The locations will be Cincinnati, Greenville, SC, and Philadelphia. The owner of Children's Books is already working on the Greenville plans with him. She couldn't give me exact dates yet, but she did say the Greenville one will be in March 2011. I'm posting a link to her site, so that you can keep up with the plans later this year. As I hear more details, I'll certainly post them. I just couldn't wait to pass this info along!! http://www.homeschooldiscountproducts.com/servlet/StoreFront God bless to you all. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Woohoo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIN Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 I attended the Cincinnati convention this year and it was *wonderful*. I plan to attend every year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jentancalann Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 I went to GHEA also and only went to one class (which was extremely valuable, btw). I just couldn't get myself away from the vendor hall or book sale long enough to attend. I vowed never to sign up for full conference again because this is the second time I've done this. However, I attended a MFW conference a couple of years ago that was absolutely wonderful, and I would love to see conferences outside of a convention that would allow us curriculum junkies to break away and "get fed". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mynyel Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 I wish they had a convention closer to WNC! The closest is the one in Raleigh every year...can't afford to get the hotel every year to go, not to mention the time...5 hour drive from here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen the RD Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 I went to GHEA also and only went to one class (which was extremely valuable, btw). I just couldn't get myself away from the vendor hall or book sale long enough to attend. I vowed never to sign up for full conference again because this is the second time I've done this. However, I attended a MFW conference a couple of years ago that was absolutely wonderful, and I would love to see conferences outside of a convention that would allow us curriculum junkies to break away and "get fed". Glad to know you did attend a class that was of value to you. I've also vowed to never sign up for full conference, too. After going 6 years in a row, you'd think I'd already figured that out. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 I wish they had a convention closer to WNC! The closest is the one in Raleigh every year...can't afford to get the hotel every year to go, not to mention the time...5 hour drive from here! But she said Greenville, SC is the first one, and that is only 1 1/2 hours from me. I'm in WNC also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micandme Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Even though I"m near Atlanta, I've always gone to the Cincinnati HS convention, partly because my parents live near Lexington, KY and partly because their lineup of speakers is WAY better than anything I've EVER seen for Atlanta. I'm so happy to hear this..... I couldn't make the Cincinnati one this year and felt like I really missed out. Greenville, SC wouldn't be bad at all and to have another choice in case it doesn't work out to go to Cincinnati would be great!!! (I thought maybe I was the only one who felt this way about the Atlanta conventions... or that I was spoiled by Cincinnati or something...:D) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micandme Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 But she said Greenville, SC is the first one, and that is only 1 1/2 hours from me. I'm in WNC also. Ohhhhh..... WNC is so beautiful!! We go through there every time we go to see family in MI or KY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen the RD Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 (I thought maybe I was the only one who felt this way about the Atlanta conventions... or that I was spoiled by Cincinnati or something...:D) Nope, you're not the only one!! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Ohhhhh..... WNC is so beautiful!! We go through there every time we go to see family in MI or KY. And we go through your neck of the woods to see family in FL in the summer and at Christmas.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekarl2 Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 I'm a vendor and already have signed up for Cincy and two of the other new ones for next year. Brennan Dean runs an AMAZING conference. I'm sure the new ones will follow suit. Greenville, SC - March 17-19 Cincy, OH - March 31-April 2 Philly, PA - June 23-25 See you there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen the RD Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 Erin, thanks so much for posting these dates! It's going into my calendar and I'll see you in Greenville! Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmeraldGirl Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Here is a document I found regarding next year conferences: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:g3ubUnz9ffwJ:www.cincinnatihomeschoolconvention.com/2011_Exhibitor_Application.doc+brennan+dean+homeschool+conference&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen the RD Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 Here is a document I found regarding next year conferences: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:g3ubUnz9ffwJ:www.cincinnatihomeschoolconvention.com/2011_Exhibitor_Application.doc+brennan+dean+homeschool+conference&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us Thanks for the link....it makes me even more excited. Great line-up of speakers & entertainers (love Tim Hawkins). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Hot dog! That's terrific news! Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyfulMama Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 :w00t:WOOT! WOOT!:w00t: :party: :auto: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenC3 Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 WOOO HOOO! I'm in Greenville! This is going to be great. Thanks for the info, I can't wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 So tell me about the other speakers (I know about MCT, SWB, Pudewa, Rosemond, but not familiar with the other ones). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlutterbyMommy Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 what GA convention were you at? i live in GA and know the SE Homeschool Expo is coming up this summer. Which convention did I miss? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyB Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 I just returned from the Georgia convention. In light of the lengthy thread last week about the irrelevance of speakers and topics addressing the needs of many on this board, I thought I'd encourage you with some good news. Dh and I were talking with the owner of Children's Books (out of Lyman, SC). She mentioned that she had conducted a survey of her customers last summer asking about what conventions they attended and what speakers/topics that they were interested in. Guess what she found? Yep, the majority of her customers never attended conventions because the topics and speakers were just not relevant to them. Does this sound familiar? So, using all of her customer feedback, she teamed up with the man who planned and marketed the Cincinnati convention earlier this year. He plans to hold 3 conferences next year promising the best of the best in speakers and topics. The locations will be Cincinnati, Greenville, SC, and Philadelphia. The owner of Children's Books is already working on the Greenville plans with him. She couldn't give me exact dates yet, but she did say the Greenville one will be in March 2011. I'm posting a link to her site, so that you can keep up with the plans later this year. As I hear more details, I'll certainly post them. I just couldn't wait to pass this info along!! http://www.homeschooldiscountproducts.com/servlet/StoreFront God bless to you all. Jennifer I would LOVE to know the name of the man she worked with who does the Cincy convention planning. Some of my best college friends run that convention, so it would be cool if it happened to be my friend. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyB Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 But she said Greenville, SC is the first one, and that is only 1 1/2 hours from me. I'm in WNC also. Greenville is doable for me, too! In work for MFW at my local convention, so it would be great fun for me to attend one. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicoryChick Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Even though I"m near Atlanta, I've always gone to the Cincinnati HS convention, partly because my parents live near Lexington, KY and partly because their lineup of speakers is WAY better than anything I've EVER seen for Atlanta. Wow, I have relatives near Lexington too, never thought about staying with them and going to the Cincinnati Convention. Great idea. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 I couldn't make the Cincinnati one this year and felt like I really missed out. Greenville, SC wouldn't be bad at all and to have another choice in case it doesn't work out to go to Cincinnati would be great!!! This was a good year to miss. There were... growing pains. But an email just went out that they are changing a lot based on the surveys they got back, so it should be good again next year. They are very responsive to changing problem areas, and I think that's what makes them successful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Philly, PA - June 23-25 :party: This is awesome, we're barely an hour from Philly! Happy birthday to me!!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micandme Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 This was a good year to miss. There were... growing pains. But an email just went out that they are changing a lot based on the surveys they got back, so it should be good again next year. They are very responsive to changing problem areas, and I think that's what makes them successful. Oh, I feel better then. I was really bummed! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightly Salted Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 what GA convention were you at? i live in GA and know the SE Homeschool Expo is coming up this summer. Which convention did I miss? Georgia Home Educator's Association Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen the RD Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 I would LOVE to know the name of the man she worked with who does the Cincy convention planning. Some of my best college friends run that convention, so it would be cool if it happened to be my friend. :) I'm a vendor and already have signed up for Cincy and two of the other new ones for next year. Brennan Dean runs an AMAZING conference. I'm sure the new ones will follow suit. According to Erin Karl (Analytical Grammar), his name is Brennan Dean. Is that someone you know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen the RD Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 what GA convention were you at? i live in GA and know the SE Homeschool Expo is coming up this summer. Which convention did I miss? Georgia Home Educator's Association Just thought I'd let you know that the convention is usually the last weekend of April or first weekend of May every spring at the Georgia International Conference Center (very near airport). Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Sigh, I was hoping for something out west. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen the RD Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 So tell me about the other speakers (I know about MCT, SWB, Pudewa, Rosemond, but not familiar with the other ones). I'll try to answer what I know about some of them. If any of you know more about these speakers, please chime in! Tim Hawkins is a comedian who is also a gifted musician. He really is hilarious. We have several of his DVD's. If you do a search on youtube for his name, many songs will come up. He even has one that pokes fun at homeschoolers. BTW, he and his wife homeschool their 3 youngest kids. Tedd Tripp is the author of Shepherding A Child's Heart. It is a very thought provoking look at how we parent our kids. According to the book, which I own, it states he is a pastor, counselor, and school administrator. Amanda Bennett writes unit studies. That's all I know about her. I am unfamiliar with David Gibbs and John Stonestreet. HTH, Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Thanks for the info. I went to the GA convention, but did not attend any of the speakers. I had only one day to go, so I chose to do the used book sale and vendors. I look forward to the convention in Greenville. That isn't too far away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5knights3maidens Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 We are not far from the Philly conference!!!! The one very close to us is boring and Harrisburg is to far for me. Hurray...I can't wait for next year! :party: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in PA Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 I am soooo thrilled! I am going to CHAP this year in Harrisburg strictly to hear Andrew Pudewa. I am really disappointed in the speaking line up this year. I really want seminars on how to teach certain subjects not things I can get a church each week. The Philly conference looks promising. Count me in! Finally sounds like something I am looking for. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Those who are looking forward to these conferences because you want different speakers than the usual, please, please, please email the Deans and let them know. This year in Cincinnati there were considerably less 'academic' and more religious ones and 'you can do it' type talks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saille Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Angela, I emailed them today. Asked them not to use SWB up on four-hour history talks, too. She herself appeared somewhat nonplussed by that request. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen the RD Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 Those who are looking forward to these conferences because you want different speakers than the usual, please, please, please email the Deans and let them know. This year in Cincinnati there were considerably less 'academic' and more religious ones and 'you can do it' type talks. Angela, is this the address? CincyConvention at gmail dot com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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