From

Location

Message

Date Posted

No Place Special

It looks to me like there is serious interest in making the International Giant Pumpkin Grower Seminar bigger and better every year. They have provided surveys for us to fill out and I think everyone should take a moment to do so. Now that it is the off season maybe we can take a little of our pent up energy and put it into something beneficial for once. I thought id make this post so that some of us can toss around some ideas that could be beneficial to those organizing this event and eventually make things even better for us.

10/21/2005 3:04:31 PM

No Place Special

Last year was my first year attending the seminar and I had a great time! It was a blast meeting other growers in person and being surrounded by other “pumpkin geeks”. I was not disappointed in the seminar last year but I do remember thinking that if I was a newer grower that I would have been disappointed in the lack of basic “how to” knowledge that was provided. Im talking about pruning, vine burying and other basic growing techniques. I don’t know, maybe that is not the intent of this seminar?

Secondly, I would really like to see the seminar rotate to a new location every year. I have heard rumor that this may already be in the works but if not I think it’s a great idea. Personally I loved the falls and so did my wife but I kind of got to justify the trip by calling at a mini vacation for her and I. She is not interested in going back to the falls anytime soon and I agree that Another location… ANY… would be more tempting.. One year The Falls, next year New York, maybe California, or Ohio or anything, just something different. This would also level the field as far as travel time and such. Ya maybe this year it’s a 13 hr Drive but next year it’s a 4 hour drive.

Just some thoughts on a cold rainy fall day.

Mike Frantz

10/21/2005 3:04:49 PM

Santa Cruz, CA

Where is the seminar presently located?

10/21/2005 3:34:06 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

The Seminar is currently held in Niagara Falls, Canada. The 2006 seminar will be held March 3-5, 2006. It is always a really is a great time, and we're working to make it even better in '06.

10/21/2005 3:45:23 PM

Massillon, Ohio

PS do we need a passport to get to Canada now ?? that is a rumor i heard and i need to get on that if i want to go.

10/21/2005 4:35:20 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I agree with it being in different locations.

10/21/2005 5:26:28 PM

Pembroke, New Hampshire

A passport is not needed. A valid driver's license or birth certificate will do. The passport idea is being played with but will be a while (years?) before being implemented(if at all).

10/21/2005 5:59:02 PM

Massillon, Ohio

thank goodness ....what you say is what i figured... because if they did make that rule, the niagra falls tourist area would be killed business wise. it would not be a smart idea at all.

10/21/2005 7:08:24 PM

Western NY

the passport thing is set for 2007 unless they come up with a quick card type of thing that they have been proposing. it's all up to the politicians right now to push it through.

10/21/2005 7:24:00 PM

San Diego

I would love a west coast seminar in california sometime, I know the southern and western growers don't have ideal conditions to grow in, but it sure would be nice to have something one time for us guys who never have a shot at going 3000 miles to a seminar. It would be so much fun to go to one. Jimmy

10/21/2005 8:17:10 PM

Mn

I think somewhere in Central North America. Like in Minnesota Or sothern canada. That way it would prety much be an equall distance for people on both coasts to fly or drive too. I've never gone to the seminar and I would like it to be easier to reach than Niagra.

10/21/2005 8:41:19 PM

Butler, Ohio

I like the rotating location idea too. I would have an excuse t see parts of the country, I 've never seen yet and it would equal out the drive times for folks on different years

10/21/2005 9:36:57 PM

Montoursville, PA

If this activity is to be a seminar then I think major work needs, to be done, to assure the implication, of the word seminar, is fulfilled. If this event is, to be a beer bust and seed auction that's OK too but the planned activity should be clearly outlined.

The past two yearly events were full, of fine people from all over the country. No programing gave the attendees on one hand a chance to share and on the other a chance to learn.

Personally I would like, to see the big room set up with four or five topic centers, to which I could sit in and learn from the subjective matter shared, by one or two top growers. Venders like Agro-K, Pumpkin Supply.com and Lessco could man their stations. Program time involving all should be honoring the past record holders present, a specific auction hour and the World Champ Speaks. Saturday night needs to be abuzz with the same philosophy.

Change the master, of cerimonies, to someone who will blow the whistle and manage the program so that it stays, on schedule. Two years in a row now this has not been evident, in the administration, of the activity.

Let those wishing, to do the bar, gambling and other local excitment do so but keep the major, in house planned program, in the seminar mood.

Reduce the beverage expense, down to the hospitality room, on Friday evening. After that let attendees stir up their own small groups, in room parties or at the hotel bar. The hotel bar will be more than glad, to pick up the slack and fill the need. Activity expense will be reduced quite a bit.

Eliminate the horrible waste, of time given, to take a group picture. Cover smaller groups, in action to tell the story, of the activity. Hold whole group presentors, to a specific time limit and thank them off the mike politely but firmly when time runs out.

10/22/2005 10:02:22 AM

Webster, NY

The bonsai symposium that I attend on a regular basis runs the waydoc describes above.
Friday evening social and informal presentation
Saturday
1 hour of what's happened the past year and introduction
90 minute speaker
Break
90 minute speaker
lunch
60-90 minute speaker
break
another speaker
dinner and auction

The master of keeps things moving and at the end of every speaker is a raffle. It is always informative and well recieved. I've been to one Niagra seminar and enjoyed it, but I would have liked more information.

Just my opinion
Dave

10/22/2005 10:20:00 AM

[email protected]

Moving the Seminar would be a great idea, but, the Niagara team are vetrans and it would be a tough to retrain every year for a new site.
Way to go Doc. Excellent stuff there. That's exactly the type of comments that are needed to make changes for the good.
Eddy

10/22/2005 10:32:27 AM

Ontario

Dave Mccallum and the pumpkinfest girls volunteer their time and this takes 6 months of planning everyyear. I don't think their is too many clubs out there that could plan an event of this magnitude. Have to be careful here because by moving it we may lose it. It gets easier ever year for them by having it in one location. Just my two cents

drew

10/22/2005 1:34:05 PM

Rhode Island

MY OPINION ONLY ,REGARDING THE NIAGRA SEMINAR

I HAVE ATTENDED SEVERAL TIMES AND ALSO WENT WHEN IT WAS HELD IN OTTAWA

OUR GANG FROM RI NEVER WENT THERE EXPECTING A TON OF INFORMATION, JUST A GOOD TIME, MEET SOME OF THE PEOPLE WE TALK TO ON OCCASION AND ,HOPEFULLY MAKE SOME NEW FRIENDS
( A LITTLE ASS KISSING IN THE EARLY YEARS ALSO ) LOL

I DO THINK THE NIAGRA EVENT COULD BE BROKEN DOWN INTO A MORE INFORMATIONAL EVENT FOR THE NEWER GROWERS AS WAS SUGGESTED IN THESE RESPONSES

PERHAPS A PORTION OF THE DAY SHOULD BE SPENT IN SMALL GROUPS WITH Q AND A SESSIONS IN EACH GROUP

SAME GOES FOR SOME OF THE CLUBS THAT HAD A DISPLAY LAST YEAR ( I LIKED WHAT I SAW OF THESE CLUBS AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO NEW GROWERS )

I ALSO THINK MORE PRODUCT DISPLAYS ARE NEEDED LIKE AGRO-K SOIL SOUP, ETC

THESE COMPANIES SHOULD BE INCOURAGED TO SET UP A DISPLAY FOR THE TWO DAY EVENT ( RI GROUP MAY BE BRINGING A SOIL SOUP REP AND DISPLAY TO THIS YEARS EVENT )IN THE WORKS I HOPE?

IF I HAD TO PIN POINT ONE SPEAKER TO RETURN NEXT YEAR IT WOULD BE STEVE JEPSON OF LESCO CO
STEVE KNOWS HIS BUSINESS AND EXPLAINS THINGS AT EVERYONES LEVEL - A GREAT TEACHER AND FRIEND

FINALLY A BIG THANK YOU TO DAVE McCALLUM AND THE LADIES FOR PUTTING ON A GREAT EVENT
HELL ID GO EVEN IF THEY MADE NO CHANGES

DICK
DICK W

10/22/2005 2:06:30 PM

Saegertown Pa.

moving it sounds good but would be a big mistake. Drew is exactly right, Dave and the girls do a great job I don't think any of us realize what it takes to pull this off every year. If it was moved it wouldn't last long.

10/22/2005 2:17:25 PM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

I agree 100% with Drew and Quinn. Who else could handle something like this?

10/22/2005 4:47:19 PM

Long Island,New York

Beverage expense? Thats all donated by Bill Bobier. The seminar is Sunday and I feel going back to the "different rooms with different topics" approach that worked well in Guelph should be revisited. Such topics then were "different giants", "beginners topics", stuff like that where you could chose.Perhaps a talk on nematodes would do well? Saturday was always meet and greet...get together, BS, have a good time.The hotel bar is always a rip-off...ask chuck how much a 6-pack costs. I fear a move away from the Ontario area would hurt a bit as the punkinfest people and dave do so much work they would be hard to be replaced....but I understand if they need a break.....G

10/22/2005 5:50:38 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Has anyone considered having a similar second event on the west coast? There doesn't have to be just one seminar. Those who live on the west coast could have an event and the one at Niagara Falls could continue as is. If someone out west wanted to some east or someone in the east wanted to visit the west, no problem. If there was an extremely valuable speaker, he could speak at both seminars since they would not be held simultaneously. One person traveling across the country is not as expensive as 30. If a grower really wanted to get an education he could go to both seminars!!! The Executive Committee members to the west of the Mississippi could be responsible for the "Western Meeting." Another possibility would be to make it an every other year event. One year West and one year East. There are lots of ways to cut the mustard. The important thing though is that wherever it be that it be a high quality event woth something for all, something worthwhile. The meeting could also have side discussions or smaller meetings for long gourd growers, watermelon people and the tomatoheads. Just my thoughts. Also I think Gipe's comments should be taken into consideration.

10/22/2005 6:32:27 PM

new middletown ohio

why do you suppose they call it " The Port Elgin Seminar" ?? It's because the town people and the Chamber of commerce and the merchents wanted a fund raiser FOR THEEIR OWN AREA!!!Think about it!! Topsfield is going to have thier weigh off in Mich. next year so more growers will be able to attend. DUHH. raggu

10/22/2005 7:48:26 PM

No Place Special

OUCH Mr Raggu it was just a suggestion. Hey I think you guys should move your Ohio tour to Iowa, I dont feel like driving that far this summer! Actually I think the seminar is more than just a "local" thing now. I mean the awards are given out there and the GPC gives their report/ input and what not there. It is such an IMPORTANT event that it should be available to everyone. Now I can only imagine the time and effort that does go into planing this thing and if the idea of rotating it will kill it then we should drop the idea. The "Port Elgin" seminar was a fantastic time and I thank all those who make it happen! Maybe if the "Port Elgin" "DUHH" can not rotate then there could be a seperate GPC sponsored seminar that rotates and is more available to the majority. Just a thought Steve, just a thought bud!

10/22/2005 8:53:55 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

The GPC is in a growth and development and discovery phase. It is also essentially without means. It is a new entity as now reinvented. Do you really think that the GPC is ready to have it's own seminar? Do you think it should have its own web site rather than BP.com? It takes time and money to do all of these things. There are no full time employees. There is no big bank account. There is no office. All there are are a bunch of people who are interested in pumpkins who at least got organized. A seminar, a web site, full time employees...anyone willing to pay $50 to $100 membership fees each year to support a structure such as this? Are there sponsors out there who will fund it?

10/22/2005 10:15:34 PM

Ontario

Moving the event yearly does sound good in theory but which club would be able to put up the up front cash and risk losing thousands if for some reason not many people show up? Not my club!If you have ideas for a new and better agenda, please fill in a survey and give the good people who run this thing some imput or better yet volunteer your time and effort to make this thing bigger and better.

10/23/2005 10:15:17 AM

Windsor, Nova Scotia Canada

My vote goes to the Port Elgin Pumpkinfest Committee. They started this seminar and obviously enjoy hosting the event which is always well attended. Why do people always want to "fix something" that isn't broken?

10/25/2005 8:18:28 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

During the winter is when people fix things that are not broken. It is winter, here at least, and the snow is falling. Would it really take away from the Port Elgin Pumpkinfest Committee's Niagara Seminar if there was a seminar somewhere else as well if it was not right next door? How many people on the East Coast would go to California for a pumpkin seminar? How many actually come to Niagara from say California? How many who go nowhere would go to a meeting closer to home? There is room for more than one seminar. During the winter maybe it is better to just read Langevin's book by the fireplace, get online and learn and have a chance to complain at the same time. I have a feeling that there are lots of people who would go to growing seminars if they were closer to home. And, I have my doubts that it would hurt the Niagara Meeting. Just my two cents worth.

10/25/2005 9:15:59 AM

Port Elgin Ontario Canada

Hello all, just to clairfy a few things. The Niagara Seminar is not a fundraising attempt by Port Elgin Pumpkinfest. It was started as a way for growers from all over to get together and share ideas. I thank those growers who see and appreciate the amount of work that goes into to the seminar. The Pumpkinfest Staff loves being invoved in the whole process. Thank you to the growers who have taken on setting up the agenda for this year, you are by far the best people to decide what Pumpkin Growers want to hear about. I hope that all the growers on here come to the Seminar this year, we look forward to seeing all of you!

ps. It's not the "Port Elgin Seminar" it's the International Growers Seminar held in Niagara Falls which is 3 hours away from Port Elgin...

10/25/2005 9:40:02 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

PumpkinFest Girl:
I will be seeing you at Niagara Falls in March. How could I possibly miss Larry Checkon getting a well deserved Orange Jacket. Maybe you guys could consider giving an Orange Handkerchief to the rest of us? Or towel?

10/25/2005 7:52:39 PM