40 replies to this topic

[SouthAustralian]

NB: These are just ideas for thought and discussion:)

In my work I tend to have to attend several conferences both interstate and overseas. The main reason for the conferences are for the following reasons

• brings together likeminded people for networking
  
• enables participants to 'come up to speed' with the latest research
  
• there is often opportunities to become involved in formulating a 'voice' , or enact some political lobbying to support your profession.

I always benefit from these conferences and often a lot is achieved.

It set me thinking.....
Is there a place/need/desire for a Cool Running Conference? The reasons being

• It would be an opportunity for runners of all levels to attend practical workshops dealing with current issues/research/skill based practical applications.
  
• It would be an opportuntiy for Cool Runners to actually meet formally, Cool Runners from all over the nation
  
• It would provide a consolidated voice regarding issues related to running ( I can't quote any off the top off my head)
  
• particpants can engage in daily workshops ranging from understanding nutrition, to hearing from Pods about running candence, to motivation, to running a HM/Marathon/Ultra etc

How this might work is that a central city might be chosen...this could coincide with a major event...or not...
- it could be for a Friday, Saturday and go home Sunday night
- It could be as small  as 100 people ( Ive been to national conferences with far less)    
  and as big as 500
- An expo would be provided as part of the conference (if enough participants were
  attending).
- airplanes and hotels often come to the party and provide discount flights and acc.
- maybe  major sponsers would allign themselves with the conference....

I raise these ideas for the following reasons,

• to see if anyone (or enough people) might be interested
  
• to see if anyone is interested in pooling resources/ideas to start small and possible have a fairly decent sized annual CR running conference every year ( or two years) 10 years from now.

I find that many people attend some form of conferences, ...sure its more money, but if the conference was smartly organised (and yes I know that we are desparately short of resources and helpers), it could be highly successful and cut even.

It's just a thought....a tiny acorn....but you know what sometimes happens to acorns?

So I await your responses with interest.

Cheers
Frank in SA

[Phoenix]

Certainly an interesting idea, South Australian and one that may have some legs if aligned with a major city Marathon.

Personally speaking, whenever I have gone interstate for an event, I have stayed for a week so would be tempted to peruse the sessions on offer at a conference.  However, many (most) others zoom in the night before the event and zoom out immediately afterwards.

Well done for some creative thinking here.

[blair]

Could possibly have legs but, for me, it really depends on the cost as disposable income is not high.

[brizza]

i would come as an excuse for dindins and socialising,oh and the conference

[Peterhorse]

very interesting idea mate! there's plenty of "ifs, buts and maybes" of course but my gut feel is that it would be well supported. my experience with these sort of things is that if you half do it, it won't work as well as doing it properly. you'll get the biggest attendance where the most coolrunners are i figure, so it would be in sydney on that basis.
the beauty of this is that oyu have the captive audience logging in every day and you could canvass ideas, do surveys and polls on the proposals, communicate easily etc with the pool of potential delegates.
as an aside....driving to work today thinking about it, i was imagining the registration desk and name tag situation - with some enjoying their anonymity at CR, it might require the "cone of silence".    - reminded me of a desperate and dateless ball i went to years ago where they said to choose whatever name you liked for your nametag on the way in - no idea why but i chose "Batman"? a trend of similar nom de plumes started from there.
i think it's a top idea...not a running camp, but a full on running conference.
like it
PH
p.s. expect lots of disagreement on this topic Frank

[kathmandu]

Peterhorse, on Apr 21 2008, 06:37 AM, said:

driving to work today thinking about it, i was imagining the registration desk and name tag situation - with some enjoying their anonymity at CR,

  can i wear my chicken suit, if i promise to sit in the back row so my (ummm wots that bloody floppy red thing called that chickens have on their heads?) doesnt obstruct the view of others.

Id be there for sure, im always up for a running anything really!

[courtlylove]

It's called a wattle, PsychoChicken.

Frank - sounds like a GREAT idea ... I love it.

CL

[Peterhorse]

PsychoChicken, on Apr 20 2008, 06:03 PM, said:

  can i wear my chicken suit, if i promise to sit in the back row so my (ummm wots that bloody floppy red thing called that chickens have on their heads?) doesnt obstruct the view of others.

yes.... well... it'll be pretty obvious why i'm called horse won't it now
...... once i have to show my surname  

Frank, i'm just so glad you didn't propose an ideas summit  

[Peterhorse]

Carmen, on Apr 20 2008, 06:49 PM, said:

I'd be keen, if only to see Chicken in her chicken suit  

that blue suit in your avatar might get as many looks as the chicken suit, do you wear it running?    there are other CR suits that come to mind straight away
- UCB in his affro
- Brizza's lips and hands (yikes)
- Gnome
- Chilliman
- etc

must be monday itis i don't want to get into work yet and it's 10:15am

sorry Frank. will stop teh silly business, it's growing on me that's all.

[wombatoutofhell]

I'd seriously consider it-but like Balri disposable income isn't high and I'd prefer to go to major runs.  Maybe tie it in with city to surf or something?

[sol]

It sounds like a great idea to me in theory, although I admit I would not travel interstate for it. If others feel the same then it would run the risk of being a local CR get-together.

One way around this would be to have it coincide with a major race such as a big city marathon. Problem then is that people may be focussing on their race and not want to be attending conferences. That then pushes the conference to weekday(s) after the race, which would probably attract less people too as it requires time off work.

So, as I think someone else said, a lot of ifs, buts and maybes ... but I really like the concept!

sol

[littleblackpug]

I vote we have a costume party, where everyone comes dressed as their avatars......but then again, I could just cheat and bring mine along, party hat and all Woof!

[bjs1965]

Carmen, on Apr 20 2008, 08:49 AM, said:

I'd be keen, if only to see Chicken in her chicken suit  

Seriously though, it'd be interesting to attend something which has guest speakers as well as workshops on training, nutrition etc.  Maybe interspersed with runs?!

They're called R4YL Training Camps, Carmen!

[Grey beard]

Peterhorse, on Apr 20 2008, 07:57 PM, said:

Frank, i'm just so glad you didn't propose an ideas summit  

Same thought crossed my mind Peterhorse. The big question is what is the purpose? I'm not saying there isn't one, just that a realistic agenda would need to be set. Are we talking just internal stuff (eg making CoolRunning bigger, better, more effective, more financial?) or are we going to try to influence our 'industry', 'stakeholders' etc? Again - I don't know, just thinking aloud...  It might pay to check out what other similar organisations do, maybe Bicycle Victoria? I've heard Harry Barber (CEO) speak a few times and always found him stimulating.

[Jogger]

I am always keen for people to have lots of ideas, the more the merrier but on this one I tend to think like greybeard. What could be discussed at a conference that can't be discussed online ? in fact online allows more people to have their say, more time for thought and gets over "performance anxiety" ie people are often not keen to stand up in front of others ... so online discussion of weighty issues is probably better/ cheaper.

I agree that a major race weekend would suit a national conference better, as people are already travelling, but those weekends are hard juggling family and race focus, let alone time for a conference (mentioned above also)

The only thing a conference does better than online is the social aspect, of course, and whilst individual cities are having their own social events, cross-city fertilisation is harder.

hmmm food for thought.

[Peterhorse]

JoggerKev, on Apr 21 2008, 12:00 AM, said:

I am always keen for people to have lots of ideas, the more the merrier but on this one I tend to think like greybeard. What could be discussed at a conference that can't be discussed online ? in fact online allows more people to have their say, more time for thought and gets over "performance anxiety" ie people are often not keen to stand up in front of others ... so online discussion of weighty issues is probably better/ cheaper.

I agree that a major race weekend would suit a national conference better, as people are already travelling, but those weekends are hard juggling family and race focus, let alone time for a conference (mentioned above also)

The only thing a conference does better than online is the social aspect, of course, and whilst individual cities are having their own social events, cross-city fertilisation is harder.

hmmm food for thought.

Perhaps we could set up the convention centre with 500 cublcles and computers and all get on line at teh same time. then come some time in the afternoon, we all go off for a run on our own then come back again and get on it  

Actually re: purpose, i hate plicy type conferences and never go to those (unless i'm paid as a speaker)... I was thinking purely and "information" conference and quality guests speakers - great running coaches, elite athletes, etc. as well as say exercise physioligsts. as you say, all teh stuff we get on line but presented in person by real experts.

Btw Kev, are there any "rules" that govern CR - as in using the name for such a conference? issues like that?
But the No. 1 goal would be social for sure.

Edited by Peterhorse, 21 April 2008 - 03:21 PM.

[blair]

I thought the whole conference part of it was just an excuse to get together and socialise.

[Jogger]

Quote

Btw Kev, are there any "rules" that govern CR - as in using the name for such a conference? issues like that?

we have a secretary (Jen-Runs) who is drafting rules such as this. maybe not in that level of detail, but in general terms about how CR is run and managed. the intent is that these get published and updated where required. we might to get these finished though as have been in draft for a year or 2.

[Bellthorpe]

littleblackpug, on Apr 21 2008, 12:19 PM, said:

I vote we have a costume party, where everyone comes dressed as their avatars......but then again, I could just cheat and bring mine along, party hat and all Woof!

I'm nearly always dressed as my avatar ...

[Bellthorpe]

SouthAustralian, on Apr 20 2008, 10:42 PM, said:

I always benefit from these conferences and often a lot is achieved.

Heh, we must go to different conferences.

Like Peterhorse, the only time I go to a conference is if someone pays me to speak.

In between speaking, drinking free grog and eating free food, I sometimes wander around from session to session. I always wonder why people pay good money to attend these gigs. I think it's just to get away from the other half, or the boss for a while, have a bit of a snooze, and party in the evenings with a clean conscience.

Heck, I like the sound of my own voice, but I wouldn't pay to hear it!

I know, I know, a Coolie Conference wouldn't have an entry fee ... or would it? There would be expenses.

[Peterhorse]

Bellthorpe, on Apr 21 2008, 12:37 AM, said:

Like Peterhorse, the only time I go to a conference is if someone pays me to speak.

just to clarify...i said i don't like policy conferences

info and social ones i love  

[brizza]

Peterhorse, on Apr 21 2008, 10:19 AM, said:

that blue suit in your avatar might get as many looks as the chicken suit, do you wear it running?    there are other CR suits that come to mind straight away
- UCB in his affro
- Brizza's lips and hands (yikes)
- Gnome
- Chilliman
- etc

must be monday itis i don't want to get into work yet and it's 10:15am

sorry Frank. will stop teh silly business, it's growing on me that's all.

my avatar is totally nude

[kathmandu]

brizza, on Apr 21 2008, 03:18 PM, said:

my avatar is totally nude

Perhaps we could go together, i could sit in front and my 'wattle' (thanks Courtlylove) could hide your nudity!

[sunny1]

PsychoChicken, on Apr 21 2008, 04:57 PM, said:

Perhaps we could go together, i could sit in front and my 'wattle' (thanks Courtlylove) could hide your nudity!

A close look at Courtlylove's avatar reveals that she is pretty nude too!!

Now my avatar ... that is the original running skirt!! (One day I want the pink boots too!!)



Thinking: maybe the solution to Frank's proposal is a CR training camp.    Can't imagine not including some practical running in an event like said proposal.

Edited by sunny1, 21 April 2008 - 06:48 PM.

[Uncle Dave]

I reckon the idea has a lot of merit, and there is the potential for a forum that is distinct from what the site offers and valuable to a wide range of people, however...

- it would not be so valuable that people would spend their limited disposable income travelling interstate for it, as others have mentioned.
- it would, as others have also mentioned, therefore need to be organised close to a major race. Probably no good situating it next to a marathon, because especially with Canberra and Gold Coast, people are wound up with the expos the day before. The day before something like City to Surf or SMH half could work. ..or if in Vic, on the Sandown weekend perhaps. I'd like to mention Burnie and Launceston 10's, but I think it'd have to be in either Vic, NSW,  or Qld to ensure a big enough home base to make it viable.

Certainly within our ranks we'd have people who have expertise in various areas, who I would pay to hear speak.

Plu on web 2.0 'on the run" for example! :-)

There's a whole range of topics out there that could appeal to a great cross section, maybe in the form of parrallel seminars.

Eg:
- Nutrition.
- Foot care. from both pod's expertise perspective and ultra nuts' prevention and management theories.
- Techy issues like:
           - getting the most out of your garmin.  I still don't own one, but admit being fascinated by the lesson    
            that  Superjacent gave me when I crashed at his place the night before the '06 Williamstown Marathon.
           - using web effectively to enhance your running clubs' / race's profile. (I'd pay to hear Kev speak on this)
- fundamentals of effective race directing. (I'd pay to hear Kev speak on this).
- Getting started.  Maybe someone speaking of their successful journey through and out of Kindergarten corner - what worked and what didn't.
- Going longer. Gear / logistics / training / crew stuff for those interested in stepping up to 100 milers and the like.
- Motivational stuff.
- Establishing a program for a race.
etc.

I'd image there'd be potential for cross promotion between the conference and the race if it was effectively tied to a big city race.

my 2 cents.

Unc

[Brick]

This idea is the same as they do at Ironman NZ.
They have pros giving talks on everything.
Nutrition, training, volume, recovery et all.
Also nutrition experts and top coaches it is so good but free because it is all just the Ironman week stuff.

Also have  some Group swims, rides & runs.
All during the week before Ironman, it is the best organised Ironman I have done by far.

So it does work just need to attach yourself with the correct race.

So maybe talk to one of the bigger races that have lots of different distances more people.
Like either Canberra or Gold Coast Marathons seem to have a good mix of distances over a couple of days.

Brick

[undercover brother]

Peterhorse, on Apr 21 2008, 10:19 AM, said:

that blue suit in your avatar might get as many looks as the chicken suit, do you wear it running?    there are other CR suits that come to mind straight away
- UCB in his affro
- Brizza's lips and hands (yikes)
- Gnome
- Chilliman
- etc

its not the hair that would be difficult to replicate!

[littleblackpug]

undercover brother, on Apr 22 2008, 09:18 AM, said:

its not the hair that would be difficult to replicate!

It would be your two side-kicks?  

[Peterhorse]

littleblackpug, on Apr 21 2008, 06:41 PM, said:

It would be your two side-kicks?  

...the pistol in the pocket i suspect  

[undercover brother]

littleblackpug, on Apr 22 2008, 09:41 AM, said:

It would be your two side-kicks?  

not in my dreams.
and i'm not even going to answer you ph

[TRAVY]

Quote

So it does work just need to attach yourself with the correct race.

So maybe talk to one of the bigger races that have lots of different distances more people.
Like either Canberra or Gold Coast Marathons seem to have a good mix of distances over a couple of days.

Brick

Just what I was thinking

[SouthAustralian]

There certainly seems some interest...and if something was strategically planned i reckon it could be a winner. This was meant to be a starter to get discussion going and see what ideas were out there. thanks for those who participated...i reckon one day it will happen.
Cheers
Frank in SA

[Rudolf]

Probably teh highest concentration of CR mebers happens the long weekend in march each year around Jenolan Caves,

so this venue/date should be considered as well.

For teh 2009, there is a good oportunity during Sydney world masters games - last more than a week, could have number of CR traveing to, for locals it is easy,
and since the duration is more than a week, there is no rush after or before the race so teh daily timing can be smartly fitted in.

It can also double as an encouragement for more CR runners to take participation in world masters.

Edited by Rudolf, 26 April 2008 - 08:49 AM.

[KevinCassidy]

I kind of like this idea.  The City to Surf weekend in Sydney seems the logical choice of place and date.

[blkbox]

I would be happy to give a presentation on hip and knee replacement  - if anyone would be interested

[Twopennys]

I think the idea could have legs (pun intended)

I remember a few years back when Greenie gave a yarn on nutrition at The Edge - plenty of people chose to turn up - the rub being it was free. The reason industry conferences are so well patronised is because employers pay for them. It takes passion and a really good program to get people to part with their own hard earned.

To make it work it would have to be a Saturday and you would probably need to charge around the $300 mark for a full day (maybe a bit less) and buy in two top notch plenary speakers - one for the start who would definitely be a high profile runner or ex-runner and one for the end who need not be a runner but a fantastic motivational speaker eg Li Cun Xin (sp?), Tawera Nikou, etc

Pre lunch have 4-6 concurrent workshops on different topics (speakers are volunteers) and then repeat after lunch so each delegate gets to go to 2 workshops and probably one more plenary with a volunteer speaker in there somewhere. Venue needs to be able to cope with this.

Have at least an hour for lunch and half hour each for morning and arvo tea for gas-bagging (many of us would be meeting in person for the first time and it will be like herding cats to get us back from breaks) - good food and plenty of it with veg options (otherwise Mellum won't turn up)

At the close - say 5PM - optional- change into running togs and go for a 5k to 10k run led by speaker number one who would be briefed to work the crowd ie go off with the hares and then drop back through the field and ideally they would finish last (if we are paying for them - then work them hard)

Optional post conference dinner another $80.00

Sunday morning long run (for those who survive dinner) hosted by a local running club - go home.

Cheers, 2P

Edited by Twopennys, 26 April 2008 - 09:38 AM.

[kathmandu]

Great ideas 2P, i think the conference is an excellent idea.

My only concern though is who will the choice in speakers be aimed at. As in, choosing a pod and a dietician and exercise physiologist would be fab for beginner runners but the seasoned runners may glaze over.

Alternatively a presentation on the pros and cons of V02max would be great for the nerds, but inappropriate for others.

Some of us run 10k, others maras others ultras. And then the walkers.

Inspirational athletes cater to everyone so thats easy. I guess your idea 2P about the concurrent workshops solves this as a selection of interests can be catered for.

Perhaps at some point we should start to compile a list of topics people would like to hear?? Then do a poll to determine their popularity. Would be nothing worse than asking a speaker to do a topic voluntarily and then only 2 people show as everyone wants to hear the other topic.

Although perhaps a poll to determine whether people would come, would pay, how much theyd pay etc should be the first step to see if the idea has wings.

[PEEKIE]

A national Coolrunning Conference sounds awesome, but even at a more local level perhaps each state could have an an inaugural Coolrunning weekend, I guess similar to the RFYL camp but in all states. Perhaps they could all be staged on the same weekend and there could be a teams competition event between states for a 5 or 10 km flat and fast race, with a donation to a chosen charity for entry, and also  if each state had ten teams of four runners, forty runners  then you add all the times together and divide by 10 to get an average time for each state.  That way we can compare times from  state to state, and then each state could have a teams competition aswell.