What I did, as President of the National Polymer Clay Guild, was campaign to get it held on the West Coast, preferably in Southern California. I love all of the other places where various seminars are held but for all of these, those of us in California, Arizona, New Mexico, etc. had to do a lot of expensive traveling.  Many clayers I know who have never attended one of these conferences because of the cost and distance, are now planning on attending the EoPc.

I recommended several places to Julie and Pam, one of which was the one chosen. Pam also felt that it would be an excellent place. She did a detailed investigation and found that it filled all of the needs for the conference.

Setting the location is the first step in planning for this type of program. It has to be located near a large airport, have a good climate during the time of year it will be held, have local transportation available, include some fun and exciting off campus activities to entice those who attend and have a day or so off from classes. San Diego has all of these necessities and more.

It also must be a place where there are really nice dorms available so that people feel comfortable and are able to sleep well so they are rested for their classes.  It must offer a good variety of food services and a pleasant room in which to eat, plus a workroom that is more than adequate for students to work at all hours, and a fairly close by space for the polymer clay Marketplace.  Preferably, the classrooms should not be an extremely long walk from either the dorms or each other. And let's not forget the facilities for the handicapped. Every location should be such that those in a wheelchair can attain easy entrance, and  who are not able to walk up a great many stairs will have other means. San Diego State University fills all of these needs.

Once the location is set, the hard work begins.  Pam, Julie and the committee members have the difficult and time consuming job of planning and putting together the entire conference from start to finish.  Costs have to be set, and a budget created.  It is an extremely difficult job.  I don't believe that anyone who attends such a conference has any idea of what goes into creating a successful one.

 I've always been amazed by the magic that is been performed at all of the conferences that I have attended throughout the years.  I am extremely grateful to everyone involved.  Through these get-togethers we have made lasting friendships, learned a world of new and exciting techniques and projects, and have come away with a renewed sense of creativity and purpose.

Dotty