Thanks for setting up the Forum, Rene ! 

And, yes, Comet –  I think it's likely some of you WILL get drunk !! Geez – do we really need a convention to get drunk?

And, yes, someone will have to pick up Diane !! 

So – I wrote a post already – but it has disappeared into thin air – if it turns up under one of the other threads – I apologize ! 

About the convention: 

1) Location – Las Vegas ? 

2) When?

3) Dogs – bring dogs / or not ? 

4) Weekend format – ?

Friday afternoon / evening – arrivals / registration / social activity / wine and cheese type of affair

Saturday morning / breakfast / all day / trade show / sales – get product displays such as Ruff Wear, Pet Loader, etc., to come and setup displays – be prepared to sell product on site – and take orders

Saturday afternoon / keynote speaker – find someone like a well-known oncologist or a cutting edge researcher in canine cancers to give a keynote address

Saturday evening / dinner (or not) followed by free time / go to a Vegas show  / go gambling / whatever

Sunday / breakfast / brunch / wrap-up and depart

We should solicit a Major Corporate Sponsor. All registrants should get something (a grab bag or something) when they check in – something that identifies them as a member of this convention. 

We would need to solicit as many product vendors as possible – providers of supplements, herbalists, massage therapists, doggie-strollers, etc., to put up displays and sell product. 

We could offer services for dogs (if we decide to hold this somewhere where we are bringing our dogs) (just for the record – I won't be bringing Sophie – I don't think that either of us would survive her flying to Vegas) – such as a swimming pool with float coats, underwater tread mills, massage therapy, etc. 

Maybe we could even get a celebrity or two – surely there must be a celebrity or two who has a dog with cancer – or a tripawd to attend – to get some publicity for the event. 

What do you think? Any ideas? 

Tana 

Ok…I'm in if we can drink wine .   I live in LA so it wouldn't be difficult for me to get to Vegas.  I have some thoughts after going to the Westminster Dog Show in NY last Feb (my favorite part of going to NY!) .  It was interesting because I went to some side activities like a doggie fashion show (in a small conference room) where they had booths set up with sponsors like Natural Balance (giving out dog food samples), the company that makes the grassy fire hydrant pee thing that Tana was trying to sell to Diane?, pet supplies, clothing companies, etc.   Anyway, what was interesting was that there are several pet friendly hotels in NY (nice ones, too) where everyone is allowed to bring their dogs no matter what size.  The lobby of this one hotel where I was, was filled with dogs galore and their owners checking into their rooms.  It was quite a sight.   I'm sure Vegas has similar hotels that we could check out and see if we can bring our dogs if we want and set up pet friendly events or activities.

As for celebrities, when Mackenzie had her surgery, at her hospital, Renee Zellwegger (sp?) and her boyfriend were there and they actually petted Mackenzie (I haven't washed her head since then ) but I'm sure there would be a willing celebrity out there – hey, I know Betty White – she loves dogs and heads up her own foundation.  Just kidding - I'm sure that would be hard to get her but maybe tapping into the celebrity dog lovers who are always speaking out on pets, etc. 

I also work with some PR agencies and maybe they would be willing to volunteer their  services for this cause and help us spread the word and gain awareness, contact some celebrities, etc.  And I know some freelance corporate event planners that might be willing to offer their services,  guidance, suggestions, etc. Just some other thoughts….but Tana, it sounds like you have been an event planner in a previous life so I think you are off to a great start!

Maybe we need to form a committee with whomever can volunteer, assign roles and divide and conquer! (In my past life I worked in the corporate world in marketing – sort of what I'm doing now but not in the corporate world.)

I'm very excited about this…..I hope we can make this happen.  Wouldn't that be fantastic!

Kami

Chuy and I are there!  Just let us know when and what hotel.  We'll be driving up in the SUV, so if someone in AZ needs a ride, let me know. 

It would be awesome to meet with everyone and hear what the experts have to say.  Maybe we can get Chuy's favorite dog trainer to come up and do a lecture on some of the behavioral issues, like post amp. aggression and such. We could ask his PT if he would be interested also.

Looking forward to it!

Eleanor & Chuy