Conference Division News September 26, 2009 Shelley Thomas added to the Demonstrator list [More...] June 20, 2009 First confirmed demonstrators for 2010 Conference [More...] May 22, 2009 2010 site to be AgriCenter Int'l, Memphis [More...] October 31, 2008 ABANA 2010 Conference Official Announcement [More...] January 05, 2008 Conference Committee Jan 2008 Report [More...]

Co-Chairs: David Hutchison & Lance Davis
Members: Peyton Anderson, Paul Boulay, Rome Hutchings, Doug Kluender, Len Ledet, Ken Prieser, Bruce Woodward & Myron Hansen*

ABANA 2010 Conference Official Announcement

Download the colorful new 2010 Conference Brochure. This 9 page information packed document covers all the basics about the upcomming conference. It is a large (almost 2MB) .pdf download so be forewarned if you are using a dialup connection. This will be printed with the next Anvil's Ring but you can get it here today!

 

Now you can register for the conference!

Download the Conference Registration Form [click HERE] and send it along with your payment of $235 and you are in. Or if your ABANA membership needs attention, take advantage of the package deals and save even more. Please note that this $235 registration rate is the on-time registration rate and will go up after March 31, 2010. So sign up now and secure your palce at this lower price.

We will set up the web site to take registrations on line but that hasn't hapened just yet. Don't wait, send in your form today.

 

Save the date!       June 2-5, 2010

Countdown (Days,Hours, Minutes, Seconds)
The 2010 conference will be at the AgriCenter International in Memphis, Tennessee. Opening ceremonies will be on Wednesday, June 2, 2010.

 

Thursday through Saturday will be full days of forging demonstrations and excitement ABANA style. Saturday will conclude with a Memphis BBQ banquet and the conference auction. The theme of the conference is to be “ABANA’s Greatest Hits” in keeping with Memphis’ musical heritage. The ticket price will turn the clock back at least 8 years.. The site (click here) is within a few miles of thousands of reasonably priced hotel rooms. Camping and RV hook-ups will be available on site. Stay tuned for additional announcements.

2010 Conference Flyer Number 1
Posted June 7, 2008. [Click here for PDF]
[B&W version as .pdf] [B&W version as .doc]

2010 Conference Flyer Number 2
Posted June 27, 2009. [Click here for PDF]
[B&W version as .pdf] [B&W version as .doc]

2010 Conference Flyer Number 3
Posted Oct. 24, 2009. [Click here for PDF] [Click here for .doc]

2010 Conference Flyer Number 4
Posted Nov. 20, 2009. [Click here for PDF] [Click here for .doc]

The conference is now only 3 months away! This one page flyer is suitable for posting at your next event.

Ring Project Page

The 2010 will include a ring project to include 3 themed ring frames. This is an opportunity for individuals and affiliate groups to show what they can do. Click HERE for full details and specifications.

Conference Tee Shirt Page

The pre-Conference edition of the 2010 Tee shirt is available to order from the Central Office. Click HERE for full details.

ARCHIVE Material:

ABANA Conference Division Report - Jan. 3, 2008

The Conference Division is hard at work on plans for ABANA's 2010 Conference. Thanks to all of you who have contacted the ABANA Board directly or responded to our on-line survey. Your input is the guiding force behind the planning of the 2010 ABANA Conference.

An overwhelming majority of ABANA members have asked us to make the conference more affordable (by reducing both the price of admission and the costs associated with attending the conference.) The conference committee has the following plans to achieve this objective:

1) LOCATION: The 2010 Conference committee is now researching more affordable, non-university locations to host the 2010 conference. Conference to be held at AgriCenter International, Memphis, Tennessee.

2) LODGING: We are working to find a location, which will allow on-site camping. We will also provide motel directions and will try to procure group discount rates for those wishing to stay in local motels. AgriCenter has arrangements for over 200 RV hook up and tent camping sites.

3) FOOD: We plan to contract with on-site food vendors who will sell meals and snacks on-site. Conference attendees will be able to purchase what they want, when they want it from the vendors. People will also have the option of providing their own food or eating off-site at local restaurants.

4) TRAVEL: Sites under consideration are near a major airport and are centrally located, accessible by interstate, thus making travel to and from the conference easier and more affordable.

5) DEMONSTRATORS: More is not necessarily better! Past conferences have featured an overwhelming number of demonstrations going on at the same time. In 2010 we plan to reduce the number of demonstrators. Don't worry, we will still offer a diverse roster of top quality domestic and international demonstrators and multiple demonstrations to choose from throughout the day.

6) EXTRAS: We will eliminate extras such as tote bags, bumper stickers and lapel pins as part of the registration package. T-shirts and souvenirs will be available for purchase. Also, ABANA will not provide any hula dancers. (You'll have to do that on your own!)

At the request of the ABANA membership, we also plan to provide open forges, teaching stations and professional development lectures at the 2010 conference.

Attending the national conference is one of the great benefits of ABANA membership. Our goal is to host a 2010 conference, which will be exciting, educational and AFFORDABLE for our membership! Your input and assistance is always welcome.