Nashville is perfect as it's a more centralized location in the US. Also, I would love to be able to hassle ClintH in person! LOL

I could talk about the Poser animation graph - at least semi-intelligently. Can can also discuss specs for DVD/full screen video production since that's something I do in real life all the time. After Effects is my friend as well - maybe a "post-production using After Effects" module. I'd love to see something on lighting within in the 3D world - maybe a panel of people from different software backgrounds comparing how they'd light 4 or 4 basic set ups within the software they specialiaze in. We'd need to have computers and projections systems.

If you're going to hold it in the US which looks likely as no other venue is really listed here then you need to give those of us living in Europe, Australasia, Antarctica, South America, the moon; you get my drift ;-) a more than good chance of attending. This would mean a minimum of 6 months notice but preferably 12 because we would need to save up enough money for flights, hotels, expenses etc. Not all of us can hop on a plane to the USA like getting a bus down town, it is costly and would have to encompass our main vacation for most of us I'm sure. It does seem from a lot of these posts that not much though is being given to members outside of the USA!!!

Since they can't hold it this summer (simply not enough time), any convention in Tennessee would be next summer... at least 12 months away. I've never been there, but suspect that winters aren't very enjoyable: mild but snow on the ground. Right now it should be dawn in Nashville and weather.com says that with the windchill it feels like 29 degrees farenheit (below freezing)... so I don't think we want to visit in January!

how about just having a friendly get together, something not quite as "organized", for starters. Some stuff could still be set up as a few informal chats about topics and so forth, more of an impromtu sort of thing....and it could be the planning/brainstorming meeting for the next larger full blown "convention". That way, this brilliant idea won't be so far down the road. Another thought would be for smaller get togethers all over the place, then link them together via video or whatever. regional events sponsored by Rendo, and whatever companies would participate. That way, travel would be minimized. This would probably be more difficult to coordinate, however, and you wouldn't have the opportunity of meeting as many people. Its very difficult for folks to come from other than North America...I think that's pretty much a given, unless you're loaded...in reality, its even hard for a lot of us to afford just going to Nashville or St. Louis and spending money on hotel, meals, etc...other than day to day living expenses. As far as airfare as an expense, plus having tons of great venues for a convention tyoe event, Chicago would probably be the best place. there are flights up the wazoo going in there, and its centrally located. The downsside is that the hotels are pretty expensinve. I've attended events and stayed at quite a few hotels in that area...it isn't cheap. I would assume Nashville to be a bit less expensive...maybe not...never been there.

oh... and all attendees receive the rendo DVD and book for attending. Plus door prizes....Poser, Bryce, etc etc etc etc... Drawings for rendo gift certificates.... what else can we give away :)))

Actually, I have thought quite a bit about the fact we are an international site. I would like as many of our members to be able to attend as possible. Obviously, there is no single meeting location that will work for everyone across the globe. That's just not logistically possible. Therefore, it makes sense to go with a location that will provide a majority of us with a cost-effective meeting option. Logically, we are looking at 6-12 months notice. Most folks will need time to save for such an event, regardless of where they are coming from. The idea of regional events across the globe is cool and interesting. I would like to see that happen. At this point in the planning process, we need to get a handle on 1 event before trying to tackle planning several more. It is something that we will keep in mind because we want everyone to feel included. Thanks, Lillian