REPLY Separate Professional Conference (SD6296)

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Posted by  Paul Holmström <ph at holmstrom.se>

I just did a quick scan of one-tenth of the members of the society. About
45% seem to be non-academics. So far most of the practitioners have in this
thread said that they want to participate in a conference embracing
academics and practitioners. More academics than practitioners have
suggested a separation of conferences.

I very much doubt that it would be economically viable for the society to
have separate conferences, particularly since indications are that such a
large proportion of the membership do not wish to participate in a
conference solely for practitioners.

I do not believe that the interests and purposes of academics and
practitioners are as disparate as Jim Hines suggests. As to cost many of us
practitioners are cost-conscious self-employed consultants.

I think it would benefit the society as a whole if we did try to find out
how we at the same time and location can hold a conference catering for the
wide variety of interests found in a society such as ours. Surely a program
committee can provide a wide variety of content and let each participant
vote with his/her feet as to what sessions to attend.

Paul Holmstrom 
Posted by  Paul Holmström <ph at holmstrom.se>
posting date  Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:16:18 +0100