Conference

Another successful EWUG conference with attendance at 200. The opening session started with videos from this year's ESRI-UC in San Diego mostly covering what's new in 9.2.
We were also told that it will be shipping very soon - the next week or two. After lunch, the rest of the afternoon was filled by user and ESRI presentations. The evening was highlighted by a well attended vendor reception. Many people hung around for almost two hours - I'm sure the free beer, appetizers and raffle had something to do with that. With the conference located in downtown Appleton there were many restaurants and bars within walking distance. A group of nearly 30 EWUGers almost overwhelmed the local hibachi restaurant another large group headed to a fine Mexican restaurant.

Vendor Reception

The late night did not deter many from attending more user and ESRI presentations the next day. At lunchtime, attendance was almost the same as the first day. Lunch ended with a presentation from Wisconsin's GIO describing what has happened over the past year at the State level (creating A State Government GIS Strategic Plan) and what is planned for next year (creating a Coordinating Council). Most attended stayed for the final presentations before wrapping up the conference at 3:30.

Most of the comments I heard about the conference and facilities were very positive, though the internet connection in the presentations rooms were very slow.

Where should the conference be held next year - Any ideas? The site must have one presentation room that can hold at least 250 people, another that can hold at least 100, and an area that is large enough and close enough to the presentation rooms for vendor exhibits and the vendor reception.