[TheForge] Conferences, electronic media

[Cindy and James]

Everyone needs to put on a conference of some sort, with at least 50+ 
attendees (the more the better).  Then they will have some idea of the 
amount of hard WORK involved and can complain with authority!

SCABA (Saltfork Craftsmen Artist Blacksmith Assn.) puts on a great 
little conference in central Oklahoma each year.  The directors of SCABA 
did a WONDERFUL job hosting, organizing, etc. in 2007 (I was there.. I 
attended and had a great time, I did not help put it on.)  I understand 
BAM will have a big conf. in 08. 

Somebody suggested using POWERPOINT for demos.  As long as this is not 
the only demo model used, I am sure we could all learn something from 
that.  I used Powerpoint a few months ago to prepare a blacksmithing 
presentation to a church group of over 70 seniors. This was basically a 
lecture for about 40 minutes and only a few pass-around items for 
demonstration.  I spent HOURS working that thing up.  I would have spent 
less time hauling a forge to the church and doing a live demo.  However, 
considering my target audience, this was the only type presentation that 
they could view as many were not that mobile.

I could have just as well showed a CD or DVD however.  Saltfork had a TV 
running various videos full time at SCABA.  The good thing about 
electronic media is that you can edit out the time lags that will always 
be present in a live demo.  Make it look faster, easier to do.  A live 
demo, however, gives more of an impression and appreciation for the work 
done.  But live demos (as well as those on DVD) involve real people and 
some are better presenters or actors than others.  I have some DVD's 
that are very entertaining and educational and some other that are drier 
than dirt!  The information is there but the presentation is flat!

I will be hosting Saltfork (Southeast) meetings at my shop for the next 
few months and I intend to combine actual teaching demos with DVD 
presentations.  There is room for both, but I don't think a big 
conference like ABANA can get by with just electronic media demos.  I 
would feel cheated if that's all I saw, especially when I can buy DVD's 
for $5 each (someone at SCABA had 100's of various DVD's for sale 
covering many, many demos).

I get as much from visiting with other smiths than I do from the actual 
conference itself.

James Allcorn
Bois D'Arc Forge Blacksmith Shop
Paris, TX