Hi All,
It’s another cold, snowy day here. I am definitely waiting for spring. I hope all of you are nice and warm in the interim.
I’ve had queries about the banquet and specifically whether or not it is included in the Deluxe conference package. It most certainly is! It somehow got left off the last flyer; we have now included it. The only things NOT included in the deluxe package are the luncheons and the Pre-Conference workshops. And yes, a new flyer is available.
And what are you missing by NOT going to the Pre-Conference workshops? How about this:
The Journey of Life: Understanding Transits
Presenter: Eileen McCabe
As rites of passage, transits represent the unfoldment of individual consciousness. This is an in-depth exploration of how to interpret the developmental cycles and transits of Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto and their impact on the angles and personal planets. We will discuss the meaning of each planet and how the transits are the timekeepers of the human potential inherent in the natal chart.
Eileen has been on my short list of speakers to hear at conferences for many years. She has also been on my wish list for SOTA for a number of years. She is a solid, clear, and insightful presenter that you can learn from — even if you think her topic is familiar territory.
From New York, she is an NCGR-certified astrologer who teaches and has presented at many conferences, including UAC. Additionally, she is a licensed social worker, which adds an additional dimension to her work. I hope you’ll enjoy her as much as I do…
We try very hard at SOTA to give you, the attendees, what you want because we’re very aware that without you there would BE no SOTA.
Once in a while, however, we run into something we just can’t provide. And that’s the case with the requests for a dedicated all-day hospitality suite. The bottom line is that we simply can’t afford this. It would require a room for 3 full days at our expense. It would require coffee, tea, and other goodies. And it would require someone to staff that room full time. We have neither the budget nor the staff to do that.
I know that people like to hang out somewhere, but we simply can’t provide this. I also know some of you like to hang out near the reg desk at breaks. That may not be possible either. The corridors are fairly narrow, and I’m not sure we can get much seating in that area.
So where do you find people? Well, if there are lectures going on, that’s probably where they are. Between lectures, try the trade room. At lunch time, we have luncheon lectures going on. Some people may be there. Others might decide to go to the mall and grab a sub or whatever. And some will no doubt be in the hotel restaurant.
We’d love to provide you with a place to eat your take-out food, but we simply can’t afford to pay for a lunch room. Additionally, the hotel contract prohibits food from outside in the conference area. If you’re at loose ends at lunch or between lectures, there IS a spacious lobby where you can hang out and wait for your friends and it’s adjacent to our meeting rooms.
There is also a restaurant in this same area where you can have a cup of coffee and wait for friends. And again, there is always something going on in the trade room. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for free lunch or even free coffee, I’m afraid we can’t help. Nor can we help if you’re looking for a place to give or get free readings or astrologize informally.
However, we CAN put up a notice board. That way if you’re going to the mall at lunch and looking for company or want to do a little astrologizing at lunch or before the opening you can put up a notice and connect with others who want to do the same, either in someone’s room or in a quiet corner of the restaurant or the lobby.
We try very hard to be friendly and inclusive at SOTA — and we definitely aim to please — but we can’t necessarily find somewhere for you to hang out every waking hour. I hope you understand. None of the larger conferences can afford dedicated hospitality suites. Neither can we. But we’ll do our best to make it easy for you to connect with others some way.
I DO know that it can be more than a bit intimidating to walk into a conference where you know absolutely no one. I’ve been there. I’ve done that. But there are a few tips that can help you meet people easily and painlessly.
- Wear your badge. Your badge shows others you’re one of us. Which is good, because they automatically know you’re a kindred spirit.
- Smile. Smiling attracts people. Period. Costs you nothing.
- Don’t be afraid to show up at those evening events. That’s where it’s often easiest to meet people.
And rest assured that SOTA folks are among the friendliest people in conference-land. That INCLUDES our speakers. And remember that some of them won’t know anyone either. So you won’t have to sit at a table where you don’t know anyone, being ignored all evening. In fact, if things run true to form, you won’t be able to sit at a table all evening without getting into a conversation. And it’s our intention to give you something to talk about.
Take Thursday evening for example, when Jacqueline Janes will be giving our keynote address:
State of the Art Evolving
Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries formed seven exact squares between June 2012 and March 2015. Seeds of change and transformation were sown and a matrix of possibilities formed. Now what? As astrologers, mediums, and intuitives, what is the future of our professions, our “state of the art” ?
Jacqueline is a captivating speaker and this is a topic that all of us can relate to. Come and hear what Jacqueline has to say. Then share your thoughts with your tablemates and others. If all goes according to plan, we WILL have a dedicated hospitality room from 9 pm onward where you can continue your conversations and maybe even meet still more people. And unlike last year, we have a guarantee that the hospitality suite can be open until midnight or even later. So stay tuned…
And on that note, I wish you a warm and contented week.
Best,
Donna