8th annual South Eastern Laser Enthusiast's Meeting, Aug 14-17 2014. Sign up now!

[HankLloydRight]

Great to hear it Hank. You'll seriously have a blast.

Thanks, Brad! I can't believe I have to wait three months for this event.

BTW, as of now, it looks like I'll roll into the Newark, DE area sometime between 2 and 5pm on the 17th of June. Is that still OK for a site visit to Mt. Lasermore? I'm very flexible w/r/t/ time, so just let me know what works well for you.

[Bradfo69]

That should be fine. As I mentioned I have a baby shower going on in 1/2 of the hall but the back half of the hall is free. I'll PM you an address and directions. I'm 2 minutes off of I-95.


(And it's only two months. .... Well....2 months 5 days 13 hours and 14 minutes but.... who really counts? )

[Lazerman121]

OK so this year is going to be tough for me.
Looks like im on my own to get myself to selem this year And Im not comfortable driving that far alone.
That being said Ill go greyhound if i have to xD.
If anyone wants to carpool PM me.
also money is tight for me and i have yet to get a summer job (applied for several).
Like last year this is the weekend before I start school so again I may be a last minute decision. which means $100 Ouch. ( to all you debating over the fee Its still so worth it )

[buffo]

Update on SELEM...

Olivia Lowman (the venue manager who has been there the past 2 years) has stepped down, as the board of directors for the auditorium has decided to eliminate her position. They plan to make it a part-time job...

The good news is that it shouldn't have any effect on our contract for this year. Of course, it means there will be a new person there when SELEM actually happens, but Olivia has contacted me to assure me that she will be available to work out any problems we might encounter, and she also said she would meet with the new person in private to explain who we are and what we will be doing.

Also, I'm happy to report that Chase will be back again this year as our "venue babysitter". He's going to be the venue rep that stays on-site with us throughout the duration of the event. Many of you remember Chase from past years - he's been a real pleasure to work with, and he has traditionally allowed us to stay late when things are really rolling along and no one wants to leave! Even though Chase lives in Tennessee now, he specifically requested to be hired back to work with us for SELEM. So that's a big plus for us!

The downside to Olivia leaving is that it throws future events into question. I would like to stay with this venue, because we've gotten so comfortable with it and we really enjoy all the freedom they give us. But I need to make sure that the new manager will be just as flexible. Also, I've learned that the old manager (Reggie Helton) will be moving to Greensboro, NC this year to work as the #2 manager at a 1200-seat performing arts center. So I will probably meet with him and see if that facility might be a better fit for SELEM in the future.

If I can get assurances from the new manager that SELEM will be welcome in the future, and that we will have all the same freedoms as we've enjoyed in the past, then I'd like to keep SELEM right where it is. But there are some questions that I need to get answered before I make that call.

To reiterate: this year's event is set in stone, and there is no problem with what we've planned. But there may be some changes in the future, depending on how flexible the new management is.

Adam

PS: Just a reminder - you've got a little over 2 weeks before the early registration for SELEM is over. After that, the price goes up to $100. So register soon and save!

[DZ]

FYI - In 10 more days the registration fee jumps up to $100.

[JohnYayas]

FYI - In 10 more days the registration fee jumps up to $100.

On one hand, this is a good incentive for people to sign up early. On the other hand, it is a reason for people who might want to try to show up for a day or so at the last minute not to. Perhaps in the future there could be some sort of daily rate. I definitely can't make it 4 days but I could probably drive in early one morning and leave the next. But not for $100. I'd pay $30-$40 for that, which is actually more than $100 divided by 4 days ($25). So maybe have it so people that just show up could pay at a daily rate. I know it doesn't generate the full amount per person and it could be a hassle trying to keep track of and enforce people from taking advantage of it and staying more than they pay for but maybe it is something to consider in the future.

[Displaser]

I definitely can't make it 4 days but I could probably drive in early one morning and leave the next. But not for $100. I'd pay $30-$40 for that, which is actually more than $100 divided by 4 days ($25). So maybe have it so people that just show up could pay at a daily rate. I know it doesn't generate the full amount per person and it could be a hassle trying to keep track of and enforce people from taking advantage of it and staying more than they pay for but maybe it is something to consider in the future.

Gary,

C'mon... really? Organizing one of these is a huge pain in the ass, a labor of love and something that all of us should appreciate of Adam. I personally thought the time-based pricing was long overdue. The last thing that Adam should have to worry about is paying for the venue. It never fails to amaze me that people can spend thousands of dollars on a hobby, but worry about such little money like what happens if I can't go? (You lose your payment! BFD?) Or predicting going vs work vs paying to register. All of it goes to the common cause - register, help Adam get this settled and have a great time!

You're practically down the street! I'm flying in, renting a car and spending real money to attend. It's become my only trip where I can count on having a good time, see a bunch of laser buds and likely see more photons than any other location in my life (not doing raves - I'm too old ). We'd like to see you - just do it! It just keeps getting better!

See you in August
Greg.

[buffo]

Hey Gary;

Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't think I'll be able to make it work.

On one hand, this is a good incentive for people to sign up early.

Exactly. This year's budget will probably top $3200. I'm already well over $2 grand out of pocket, with lots more still to pay for, and we are nowhere near the break-even point yet. (sob!)

Considering that each year I have to float the entire cost of the venue and the shirts out of my own pocket (and then sweat it out for 4-6 months hoping that we make it into the black), I decided to try a two-tier admission this year in the hopes that it would spur more people to register early. Alas, it has not worked nearly as well as I had hoped.

On the other hand, it is a reason for people who might want to try to show up for a day or so at the last minute not to.

I think the people who wouldn't show up for $100 probably wouldn't show up for $75 either. Given the cost of travel, lodging, and food, the admission fee to SELEM is the least expensive thing about the event. And if we moved to a daily rate, that just makes it impossible for me to budget, while adding a great deal of extra work to the volunteers who help make this thing happen.

I definitely can't make it 4 days but I could probably drive in early one morning and leave the next. But not for $100.

I appreciate your situation, but you need to realize that your situation is a minority of one. You are one of the 3 PL members who live closest to the venue (the other two being George Mack and Matthew Dixon). Of those 3, you are the only one who has ever asked about daily rates. And while I do try to be as accommodating as possible, in this case I can't really justify it. Sorry.

I know it doesn't generate the full amount per person and it could be a hassle trying to keep track of and enforce people from taking advantage of it and staying more than they pay for but maybe it is something to consider in the future.

You hit the nail on the head. Managing this would be far too much work. As it is, I need at least two other people just to help out with getting the waivers signed, the name badges handed out, and the shirts delivered, and that assumes that the bulk of the people will arrive either on Wednesday for the load-in and setup or on Thursday when the event starts. The last thing I want to do is to make the check-in process more difficult. (After all, I'd like to have some free time to enjoy the event too, as I'm sure the others who assist me with the check-in process would.)

Plus, who wants to play "hall monitor" and check people to see if they've registered for 1 day or the whole event? Especially when there are more important (that is, more fun) things to do!

Finally, I would like to remind everyone that SELEM is completely non-profit. No one earns a dime from the admissions. Any extra funds that are not spent on the event are donated to PhotonLexicon to help pay for annual hosting fees. So if you register and then discover that you can't attend, at least you can rest assured that your contribution will help keep the lights on here on PL!

Adam

PS: Greg - thanks for the kind words of support!

[JohnYayas]

Not a problem. I understand the logistics of it all so I can certainly appreciate your position.

It's just that, with Burning Man* and all, it makes it a little difficult for me this time of year.

* I kid.

[icecruncher]

Hey Gary;
I appreciate your situation, but you need to realize that your situation is a minority of one. You are one of the 3 PL members who live closest to the venue (the other two being George Mack and Matthew Dixon). Of those 3, you are the only one who has ever asked about daily rates. And while I do try to be as accommodating as possible, in this case I can't really justify it. Sorry.

I think you're forgetting us We are close enough to drive back and forth.

My perspective from someone who lives very close. --- I don't have a projector, nor much income, so I don't put a lot of money into this hobby. But I do love it and mostly just come to watch. That being said, the $100 is well worth it even it you are only coming for a day. I don't think anyone should complain about it especially if you live close and don't have other expenses like hotel, airplane tickets and other things.

I am amazed at the amount of money some of the attendees, not ONLY Adam, have put into the show to get here. Between bringing the equipment and attending and hotels, food and things like the LSO class, some spend a small fortune. It is a real kindness and makes the show great.

Even though my wife loves it, her total interest is "look at the pretty lights." kind of interest. After going the first year, I felt that from the second year on, it would be appropriate for her to pay also and join PL.