Laurel Point Inn, Victoria BC
October 10-12, 1997
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Laurel Point Inn, Victoria BC October 10-12, 1997 |
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by Hu Filleul 
Winners of the: Website and Newsletter Competitions sponsored by: Adobe User Group Relations 
First: WEAV, The Web Enthusiasts Association of Victoria. Second: OMUG, The Olympia MicroComputer Users Group. Third: KEGS The Komputer Enthusiasts of Greater Seattle. Fourth: VPCUS, The Vancouver (BC) PC Users Society. 
First: VMUG The Victoria Macintosh Users Group. Second: OMUG, The Olympia MicroComputer Users Group. Third: VPCUG, The Vancouver (WA) PC Users Group. Fourth: SVPCUC, Skagit Valley PC Users Club
Louise Miller of Adobe and Binh Ly of Cybermedia discuss how to keep the user group representatives happy. They succeeded admirably!
 Friday
afternoon pre-conference get-together at Hu Filleul's
hosptiality suite patio.
by Byron Davies |
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User Groups Helping User Groups--Supported by Vendors' User Group RelationsEditorial The fourth annual RainCoast Conference of User Group Leaders, hosted this year by BB&C, is over. The purpose of the conference was to exchange ideas on how to develop and manage effective User Groups and how to foster a closer user group/vendor relationship. There is every indication that we achieved our dual goals while having a fun weekend.
The mutual cooperation and respect of the vendors' representatives was wonderful to watch. Gene Barlow, representing PowerQuest, graciously allowed his projector to be used by everyone. Another example of the vendors' user group representatives mutual respect occured when several vendors had to leave early to catch flights, they hugged each other warmly and that simple example of camaraderie showed why the User Group Relations representatives are our best friends -- and the vendors' best ambassadors. From the perspective of one of the BB&C volunteers who helped organize this conference, Louise Miller of Adobe deserves special mention. Not only did Adobe support two contests, provide excellent raffle software, and an opening Pizza Party, they were organized well in advance -- perhaps too well. My dining room was used to store the many products and other material they sent -- for over a month. (My wife also deserves a public commendation for being so understanding.)
The most impressive characteristic of our discussion sessions was the desire of everyone to contribute to the discussions. It seemed like every participant was trying to find ways to contribute to help solving what we perceive to be problems. Unfortunately, there was just not enough time to allow everyone to fully develop their ideas. Still, we were all stimulated by the breadth of knowledge and the genuine concern of the participants. They were rewarding sessions. One of the most encouraging indications of the strength and vitality of our user group community was the "contest" to see who would be chosen to host RainCoast 98. There were two strong contendors, KEGS and OMUG. Both put up convincing arguments to be the chosen site. In the end, OMUG won the vote, but both were eminently qualified. We should all look forward with confidence to next year. Congratulations, OMUG. Of course we did a few things wrong, but we learn from our mistakes. In time and with more experience, regional conferences like RainCoast should develop into even more important user group events. Finally, we must recognize the leadership qualities of Ron Kehn, our RainCoast Chairman. He encouraged and stimulated us all to make RainCoast 97 a conference BB&C could be proud of. There were others -- vendors, workers and participants -- who made valuable contributions to RainCoast 97 who have been missed in this summary. That is the danger of highlighting a few. They, too, all of them, were instrumental in the success of RainCoast 97. Thank you, all.
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raincoast@bbc.org Copyright © 1997 by Big Blue and Cousins: The Greater Victoria Personal Computer Users' Association. www.bbc.org/~bigblue |
It is difficult to choose the highlights of the conference -- and
dangerous. It is far too easy to miss important contributors. Still,
there were a few highlights that will not be forgotten. No one who has
seen Richard Katz in action can fail to be impressed with how he
can boost his sponsor's products (Intuit) while entertaining everyone.
He certainly did not disappoint us this year. If anyone was the star of
the show, it was Richard. But, another star was Binh Ly of
Cybermedia who showed how even a relatively small product like Guard
Dog could stimulate the crowd. Barks and woofs from
the audience were repeated long after his presentation and whenever an
opportunity arose.
There were many, many members from BB&C who worked to make the
conference a success. Hu Filleul, in particular, deserves special
mention. Not only did he organize the program for the conference, lead
two discussion sessions, organize the transport to pick up vendors and
participants before the conference -- and help in that duty, he also
designed our RainCoast logo. But that was not all. At his own expense,
he sponsored a hospitality suite and provided the refreshments -- our
pre-conference get-to-gether in his room on Friday afternoon was
particularly enjoyable. Hu also suggested and found the plaques BB&C
presented to the vendors, the presenters, and the other workers as a
token of our thanks. Then, to add some spice to the conference, Hu
organized a wine bottle label contest. It was an impressive contribution
and in the best spirit of BB&C volunteer efforts.
Even the weather
cooperated. The sunset and the view of the harbour during the Symantec
dinner on Saturday night were spectacular. The Laurel Point Inn are to
be commended for suggesting their large glassed-in room on the west for
Saturday's dinner.
