posted 06-06-2013 07:22 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by SkyMan1958:
I would suggest that part of the attendance drop-off was directly attributable to the show being held over the Memorial Day weekend. For many people that is family time. In my opinion, the show should NOT be held on this 3 day weekend.

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posted 06-12-2013 03:48 PM            

Was really nice to spend time with people I've mostly only chatted to by email, plus meeting many new like-minded friends and contacts for cooperations. I finally met Colin Burgess in person. Thanks for hauling those books for me! I wonder if I can persuade Outward Odyssey to commission a book on the history of European space developments (especially with parts of the shuttle programme being heavily international, e.g. Spacelab) It kind of makes sense not to miss this out, right? Wink.

posted 06-14-2013 02:11 PM               

I reject the notion that the holiday was to blame. It gave us an extra day of programming. Those who left missed an opportunity. The art show did a land-office business.

We were up against NSS, whom Rob has already pointed out ALWAYS has their convention Memorial Day weekend. What's more, it was held in nearby San Diego. Many participants left NSS in San Diego early to come here. Leonard David, Rick Tumlinson of Deep Space Industries and Chris Lewicki of Planetary Resources were a few.

posted 06-22-2013 06:14 PM               

I've recently uploaded all 10K of them from all Spacefests, 1-5. Most of these have never been publicly seen before.

If you've been to a Spacefest, chances are you've had your photo snapped by Mark or Tom. Perhaps an astronaut is included.

posted 06-26-2013 06:38 PM               

This was our second Spacefest -- we went to SFIII two years ago, thinking it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but as soon as we got home we started saving for another trip!

We felt right at home when we got to Starr Pass; it really is a lovely venue in so many ways. We got in Thursday a couple of hours before the opening reception, so I hit the pool while my 17 year old son stayed in the room and watched a movie.

At the opening reception I was just blown away by the artwork this year. Much more varied and so many more works than I remembered from the previous trip. I immediately began wishing I'd budgeted more for art purchases. Met a lot of people there that were just internet names before, and renewed some old acquaintances, so that was very nice. My son got to meet his hero, Glynn Lunney, and I got my picture taken with Dave Scott, which I'd tried to do unsuccessfully on several other occasions, so this was a big deal and due in part to the kindness of Al Hallonquist, who introduced me to Colonel Scott. Colonel Scott was in a talkative mood and we chatted for a good ten minutes.

I loved the variety of the talks all week; you could go from space history to astronomy to collecting advice; something for everyone.

We had lunch Friday with Scott Carpenter and his wife on the 51st anniversary of Commander Carpenter's flight. As far as I was concerned, that hour or so was worth the entire price of the event.

Friday evening's keynote talks, with Carolyn Porco and Brian Cox went several hours; I am not sure how long. I thought my teen might get squirmy, but we was enchanted along with me and everyone else.

Got several autographs on Saturday, including Jim McDivitt. I hesitated for awhile on getting something I'd bought to have Alan Bean sign actually signed, fussing over the price. By the time I decided to do it there was a line that was very slow moving, but it was because Colonel Bean actually took the time to talk to each person who came to his table at some length. Again, something my son and I will remember forever, and the best $200 I spend all weekend. So glad I did it!

We had lunch with Sy Liebergot who was in rare form. My son described him as "fired up" at both his talk and the lunch. Another great choice on our parts.

The Saturday evening banquet was also nice. Andy Chaikin started off with a tribute to Neil Armstrong; we drank both to Neil's memory and to Commander Carpenter and Aurora 7 before the main speaker. We sat at the table with Jim McDivitt who kept all of us in stitches the whole time. Who doesn't like General McDivitt?

Sunday morning's breakfast was kind of hit or miss. It was an experiment, with unassigned seating. The astronauts and other VIP guests I think were supposed to sit at a table of their choosing. Our table was not "chosen" and it was a little disappointing, but I kept reminding my son we hit the jackpot on the previous meals and to give someone else a turn.

The Apollo panel on Sunday was a little more subdued than the previous time I was there, but we particularly enjoyed Walt Cunningham and Dick Gordon. I went to go get something signed by Gene Cernan, who was there Sunday only, and missed the Mars panel, but my son had good things to say.

This was kind of a transitional Spacefest, I think. A lot of the big name astronauts were not there: Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell, Al Worden, Rusty Schweickart and Tom Stafford were at III but not V. I'd heard good things about Mike Mullane from Spacefest IV and hoped to meet him, but he wasn't there. On the other hand, this was the first opportunity we'd had to meet McDivitt, Carpenter, and Lunney. But by transitional, I mean that I really felt that the emphasis this year was less on the astronauts themselves, and more on what was going on in the art show, vendor rooms, and talks. Some of the kinks at the venue seemed to have been ironed out -- two years ago there were issues aplenty with sound systems, for instance. Everything worked perfectly this time. The attendees that I met all seemed pleased with the experience.

Kim, Sally, Randy, Al, and the rest of the staff did a terrific job.

And Randy's band, and Andy Chaikin playing along? Oh yeah. I hope that becomes a permanent fixture in future Spacefests!

posted 07-17-2013 11:36 PM               

I was at Spacefest III and IV earlier - and when the photos were taken everyone not going to take a group photo with the astronauts had to go inside. If I am not mistaken (and correct me if I am wrong), the plan of putting them in the grass originally was not to allow non-group photo takers to be out there - but the way it was set up was actually great and in some ways a high point.

Folks gathered outside to watch - including a number of scientists and speakers, and it was very festive, without detracting from those who were getting their photos with the astronauts. Some guests at the resort came by and asked what was going on, and I pointed out the heroes in front of them, who they were and what they did. It was an educational moment, a joyful moment, and even more publicity for Spacefest.