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Old 06-12-2009, 11:45 AM
Bolts_Tweed (Mark)
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Australian Imaging Conference suggestion

Gday

Ive had the idea for a while and Jases recent postings re AIC in the US have prompted me to put it to you guys amongst others to judge interest

I am a Engineering Lecturer at Griffith University on the Gold Coast and we run between 2 and 4 conferences / workshops per year - my point here is that we have experience running conferences and facilities such as lecture theatres and computer labs for workshops etc.

I know Australia doesnt have the population to support something the size of AIC but there are a lot of people imaging now and we may be able to support an annual conference of our own.

My idea is to run an imaging conference in the school holidays later next year on the Gold Coast (allows for family holidays at the same time). I would intend to cover a wide range of topics from beginner to advanced with both paper presentations and workshops with both the papers and workshop manuals published in a conference proceedings. I have already had positive intention to particpate from a few international people (Japanese and NZ at the moment) and I have enough to invite and pay for 1 or 2 internationals to deliver keynote papaers. I dont want to mention names because I havent contacted them yet but the people I am thinking about are the ones whose web pages we visit to learn processign tips such as MLDB etc etc - now theres a give away and i'll have to definately invite him now. I am sure if I am going to pay for them to come to Aus I will easily be ably to get at least 1 or 2 to participate. Obviously we will need papers from people in Aus and not necessarily just adnvanced processing papers, but also things such as case studies, equipment reviews, innovations etc etc.

So what I am looking for is feedback - would it be supported by the amateur community in Aus? With airfares the way they are now it would provide a good excuse for a Gold Coast holiday to keep the family happy. I also have tenative verbal agreement for support from 2 suppliers and would intend to have a display area for equipment suppliers.


BTW - It is intended as a not for profit conference - any profit after paying for facilities, meals and reimbursement of the keynote speakers airfares etc (im an optimist) would go to inviting and paying for keynote speakers etc in future years

Anyone want to come to the coast for a couple of days and talk astrophotography while learning from some of the best

If not i'll just go to AIC next year

Mark Bolton
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  #2  
Old 06-12-2009, 12:52 PM
Germ
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That Is a fantastic idea Mark I will be there with bells on.
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Old 07-12-2009, 06:09 AM
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I'd be interested in attending, for sure.
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Old 07-12-2009, 06:24 AM
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Sounds very interesting - I think there's definitely enough talented imagers in Australia to support it, and enough up and coming imagers who would be interested in finding out more secrets from the 'masters'.

You can count on IceInSpace for support.
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Old 07-12-2009, 07:02 AM
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It's a fine idea Mark, but might I suggest that at least for the first few years you have it in either Melbourne or Sydney?

There are a couple of reasons for this.

If you want to generate interest, then one of the major capital cities is the way to go as about half of your attendees won't have to travel too far. Also the OS attendees would not have to go on an internal flight. I know from experience that the last thing you want to do after arriving in Aus from the US is get on another flight.

School hols in the Gold Coast may be expensive for accommodation as well, in fact school hols aren't the same from State to State anyway.

I think it's an excellent idea BTW, I would be glad to attend as long as the price is reasonable. It sort of ties in with another idea of mine to publish an online Astrophoto mag. I have all the hardware necessary to produce a magazine (I do two from home at present). Online publishing reduces the overheads to near zero, so a little support from the industry may be required, but I'd hope to do it for pretty much nothing. All I'd need at contributors...

Cheers
Stuart
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Old 07-12-2009, 09:00 AM
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I'm in for that Mark... That said, I'll be heading to AIC next year I think... Just for kicks!
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  #7  
Old 07-12-2009, 03:03 PM
Bolts_Tweed (Mark)
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Thanks for the feedback guys - makes me feel like im not wasting my time.

germ - you dont count - i'd make you come anyway (who's going to buy the hot chips - blame Marples for that one)

Stuart - I agree that Sydney or Melbourne would probably be better but do we have any contacts for facilities down there? A uni is ideal for lecture theatres, computer labs etc so any Syd or Melb lecturers out there that could help in this regard. $70 airfares in Aus at the moment make it possible to hold it anywhere - and I can play poker at your casinos when i'm down there - maybe a combined no limit hold em tournament / conference (buy in is a Takahashi FSQ)

Mike thanks for the support and if we get enough replies I might ask for support in the form of a call for papers etc (bulk email etc).

Unfortunately 5 does not a conference make - it needs support to keep costs down to a reasonable level otherwise people wont come - I leave for the states Friday (those that know me will be getting sick of me saying that) and will be back Jan 1 - if we get more positive replies between now and then it may be worth going to the next level and calling for papers - inviting more industry / suppliuers etc. If I win the tournament in Vegas on Dec 13 i'll shout you all.

Thanks for the ositive feedback

Mark
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Old 07-12-2009, 03:05 PM
Bolts_Tweed (Mark)
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Aklex - sry mate - after seeing Jases posts re AIC I will probably go as well. $850 return LA with V Australia makes it feasible (13 hours of discomfort I can handle that - sounds like a night imaging)

Mark
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Old 07-12-2009, 03:11 PM
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Yeah... We allllll know im a tech/gear head... for me all the fun toys are easily 50% of the fun involved in astro imaging... I think AIC is the place for me to get a true reality check haha! I will however be leaving my credit card at home!!

Best way to deal with 13hrs in flight, get 4 solid nights worth of imaging done just before you go, you'll be tired, so maybe you can sleep for most of the flight, and failing that you have your laptop full of processing work to do...

I'm definitely keen on helping out if we can get enough interest from other forum members...
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Old 07-12-2009, 07:55 PM
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I would be interested in attending.

Frank
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  #11  
Old 08-12-2009, 05:43 PM
Bolts_Tweed (Mark)
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Thanks frank

I have had good feedback from one US astrophotographer and have invited another tenatively (if it goes ahead). I have been talking to Alex and have decided to give it until new year before we make a decision on go or no go.

Mark
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Old 08-12-2009, 06:20 PM
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Provided we get decent amount of people showing interest, I see no reason why we cant run it... Mark is spot on though, I think it would require a of organisation and preparation.

So, everyone who thinks they would be interested, please, raise your hand, stand up and be counted!! We need you if this is going to happen!

I for one am very excited about the prospect of learning from the best, getting everyone together in one spot so we can all put faces to names, and share ideas and thoughts about image acquisition, processing, final presentation on both screen and paper, not to mention equipment discussions which we all love..
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  #13  
Old 09-12-2009, 11:07 AM
Bolts_Tweed (Mark)
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Happy to announce that I got confirmation from Ken Crawford today.

He is more than happy to come down and deliver talks / workshops as well as to extend his stay for some imagiung sessions - so depending on where we have the conference I may need someone to extend the hand of frienship and give our american guests access to dark sky site and equipment. I can handle Qld with the Leyburn site but if it is in Sydney I may need help.

I have invited 2 other emminent guests and will wait until new year for a call for papers / intention to attend so we can go to the next step

Mark
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Old 10-12-2009, 10:42 PM
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I'd be interested. Still a beginner, but keen to learn.

DT
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  #15  
Old 10-12-2009, 11:07 PM
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Newbie willing to help out.

Regards,
Humayun
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  #16  
Old 11-12-2009, 06:11 AM
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Guys, Mark has been sending PM's and emails all over the place trying to get this thing off the ground. I can tell you that from what I've read, he is really throwing everything at this project. We can make it happen if there's the enthusiasm and support from our community.

Had a thought - what are we going to call this event proposal? Australian Imaging Conference would abbreviate to AIC, which is the same as the US one. Thoughts?
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  #17  
Old 11-12-2009, 06:23 AM
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DUIC (Down Under IC), OzIC, SIC (Southern IC) ?

It's definitely got potential. Will just need the commitment and support of the big name imagers, suppliers and vendors etc, and of course the imaging community who will be the attendees!
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Old 11-12-2009, 06:35 AM
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SIC, fully SIC bro! I like it.
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Old 11-12-2009, 08:40 AM
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count me in
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Old 11-12-2009, 10:47 AM
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I'd like to come along to such an event.

One problem I have, being over in WA, is that all the good astro events in the east are spread out. For example I'd love to go to NACAA and IIS Astro Camp, and the SSP, and this potential imaging conference, but none are near each other. Combine any two events together (a week apart is OK) and it makes it a lot easier to justify the plane flights etc.

Roger.
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