April Meeting

[Richard Schneider <richard.schneider@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Colleagues,

Some of you may recall the "Cherry Blossom" Panoramic Conference I tried to organize last year. Because of matters beyond my control the event had to be postponed. I did not end up rescheduling the conference in 1999 because I felt the best time to visit the DC area was in the Spring. If one were to spend a fair amount of time and money to attend such a conference, you should be able to see this area at it best!

I am once again interested in organizing a meeting / conference on panoramic photography and imaging to be held on the first weekend of April, 2000. The event could begin as early as Thursday and end on Sunday. Easter is late this year, so that date should be OK for those whose schedules are tied to the holiday. At this writing however, I am unsure exactly when Passover is. I hope it does not conflict.

The meeting would be devoted, in part, to historic panoramic photography and the relevant records which are in the custody of the National Archives. More specifically, I would expect to cover the areas of: panoramic photograph conservation and treatment, the panoramic photograph holdings themselves, conventional and electronic methods of reproducing panoramic images, and patent records related to panoramic camera inventions. I would also like to briefly discuss a panoramic photograph exhibit I curated and produced, which would still be on display. All of this material would occupy one day or less of the entire schedule.

The remainder of the schedule is, as far as I'm concerned, open. It would be a great time to see attendee's work, discuss panoramic issues and trends, and perhaps even have a "field trip" to a local lab or studio. As the organizer of this event, please contact me directly if you wish to present a lecture, lead a panel discussion or otherwise be involved. I wish to have the lecture / activity schedule pretty much set at least one month beforehand, so people considering attending will know for sure that something is actually going to take place!

The main meeting location would be at the National Archives at College Park, in suburban Maryland. Attendees traveling from afield would be responsible for their own lodgings. I could offer some suggestions if requested.

It may be possible for vendors, such as camera manufacturers and processing labs, to set up  tables to demonstrate / discuss products and / or services. I am still looking into this. One thing to consider, there is to be no on site commerce in the National Archives' building.

It is possible that a registration fee will need to be collected in advance, depending on how involved our plans get. This fee would be used to cover such things as a printed schedule, rental of meeting room for the Saturday portion, coffee / refreshments, possible catering of late afternoon or mid-morning snacks. 

This proposed meeting is not an official International Association of Panoramic Photographers (IAPP) event. I will however, provide materials for those attendees thinking of joining IAPP, a very worthwhile thing to do. I am an active member and former Board member of the organization.

IAPP will be holding a conference in Las Vegas in March of 2000. I hope that all of those who are able can attend. Please check out the IAPP website, www.panphoto.com for more details. 

Please note - the April Meeting in DC is not meant to conflict with, compete with or otherwise diminish the importance / significance of the IAPP conference in March. I'm simply rescheduling something that was planned and advertised for last year. I might have held off for another year, but it is likely that the next IAPP International Convention will be held in April of 2001.

Thanks for your time in reading all of this stuff. If you'd like to get involved or have suggestions, please contact me at work - richard.schneider@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thanks,

Richard