GSBF Convention XXV In Sacramento

Robert

Did any of you go to the Golden State Bonsai Convention in Sacramento?
If you did, would you care to comment on your opinion of the affair?
Robert....in Sta.Cruz

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TreeBay

Hi Robert,

I arrived late Friday and unfortunately came down with a case of food poisoning Saturday eve from one of the local Sacramento restaurants, so I left early and didn't have much opportunity to explore.

I did manage to make it through the vendor area a couple times on Saturday before the culinary catastrophe. I really prefer seeing the vendors all in one ballroom vs. the four or five separate suites they relegate them to in Sacramento. I think Al has the same opinion

I had hoped to check out the exhibit on Sunday but I spent Sunday AM on a cot in the Sutter Memorial Hospital with an IV tube in my arm, and we left shortly afterward.

Regards,

Matt

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bonsaial1

I can't speak for the whole convention. I went for just the day. I went Saturday.

This convention had been hyped so long, and had been billed as the biggest ever, that it was doomed to fail. 25th anniversary, and the master that has taught every master we have in the United States was the headliner. I don't know how much revenue it turned in, but I was dissapointed at the crowds, or should I say lack of them, that I saw.

The vendor areas were not very active. Most of the vendors were sitting around in chairs looking somewhat bored. Sat. should have been their big day.

I know that the vendor area was hard to shop in the configuration it was in, seperate rooms, but its hard to pin that on the committee. They just had to use what the Hotel offered for space.

The lobby of the Hotel had nothing to tell you that a bonsai convention was even there. The Convention that I went to in 1998 in So. Cal. had huge bonsai all over the lobby. When you walked in you were blown away.

I shopped first, hopeing to snag a few deals before they had all been picked over. I managed to find some cool stuff. When I reached the display area, my worst nightmare had been answered. The rumor that I heard about how they were going to charge to see the exhibit was true: $5.00 a head to see the trees. Now I'm no skinflint, and I paid more to park in "Old Sacramento" after the convention, but heck, I would have thought I would get my money's worth! The display area was in one rather small room. The display was kept small and only had about 25 trees in it. I did not count them so am not sure. The trees for a pay-at-the-door venue was also dissappointing. All the handouts were plastered with claims that no pics would be posted for personal use and internet use. I will post no pics. I have been to about 15-16 conventions and have never seen so many disclaimers about photos in my life. What were they afraid of, the D.C. sniper might somehow use these, jeez.

I hope, since it cost about 600-700 bucks to go the whole 4 days to the convention, that the workshop material was great and that Mitsuya blew evreyone away.

I will find out Thursday when I go to the Hanford meeting. Bob Hilvers, co-chair for next years convention toted a lot of water for next year. I'll find out if it was worth it!

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stephentoddpope

im sorry it was disapointing, could you poast a pic of the trees you got,?

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TreeBay

Mike Page leaked some photos over at IBC, or maybe these are the official pics? I was planning to see the display Sunday, but I didn't make it.

http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/a...last=1034642108

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stephentoddpope

hmmmm, that large seirrra juniper won first placein some kinde world bonsai show, or somethin, i will poast the link when i find it

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"A Bonsai! A Bonsai! My kingdom for a Bonsai!"

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stephentoddpope

well, i can't find the link, but here is the pic that was on the site, hmmmmm it seems it is copyrighted bonsaiTALK, but it wasn't this site that i got this pic from

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"A Bonsai! A Bonsai! My kingdom for a Bonsai!"

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bonsaial1

That tree is owned by Frank Barhdella of the REBs club. I saw that sierra juniper about a month ago at their show and didn't have to pay to see it. It was at the convention.

Mike only managed to post 8 trees, I wonder if this was his idea of the best?

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bonsaial1

I normaly wouldn't post "stuff" that I purchase, but since Stephen asked I will show what I bought.

Mostly just filler material for future projects.
These are just some mountain maples that I will branch train next season for a HUGE maple group that I am planning.

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z6.jpg (52.4 KB, 96 views)

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