..to finish my previous post,

I realize that change is not easy, and so I am not trying to diminish the effort and enthusiasm of the organizers.

Most of the old-school teachers are at an advanced age, some of them have been doing this for half-a-century and it is unrealistic to expect them to change the way they do things.
Public speaking is not their forte, they prefer to do things instead of talking to the crowd. It woud be unfair to ask them to become animated and funny moderators.

However, some of the organized events were little more than "old boys meeting each other". Same people, talking to each other, doing the same thing on the same type of material. There was "them", the insiders, and "us" the outsiders (at least that was my impression after hanging around for awhile).

It is the new generation who can add some more spice to these events.

Attila

I didn't want to bring this up during this discussion a week or so ago but I have a "bit" more info now so I'll toss out a teaser.
For 2006 the American Bonsai Society is planning on a new type of bonsai" retreat".
This is being headed up by Pauline Muth of northern New York state ( Pauline is a retired school teacher and owns a bonsai business and teaches bonsai). Pauline is on the executive board of ABS along with being a board member in BCI and MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies.
Those of you who say you are tired of the Demo/workshop-type symposiums will want to keep this in mind. Date and exact place not confirmed yet. It will be in the Saratoga Springs region of NY state. We are still working on "teachers" lists and programs. This will be a totally diferent type of educational bonsai retreat. Lots of classes, critiques, and a large bonsai display and, of course, vendors.
Stay tuned to the ABS forum and/or ABS website for upcoming info on this.
For 2004 ABS will be joining the BCI convention in St. Louis and will be sponsoring ( with Joshua Roth) the New Talent Competition . ABS will also be joining in with the World Bonsai Friendship Federation convention in 2005 in Washington DC and again be administering the Joshua Roth sponsored New Talent Competition.
The 2006 ABS bonsai retreat and New Talent Competition will not be held in conjunction with any other convention. Those of you who want to try something different will be in for a suprise and a treat. So, we hope to see you there.
Stay tuned!
Regards,
Dale Cochoy
American Bonsai Society, Board of Directors.