M&G 2008 - Diabetes Related?

[JediSkipdogg]

I'm going to start off with a simple question.....

How much of a Meet & Greet do you want to be diabetes related?

When I originally came up with the idea I wanted some diabetes to be talked about. However, at the same time, I thought that people deal with diabetes every day and if they want more diabetes related info they could ask on here or search for a local ADA Expo and attend there.

Now, the above choices do not mean that if you are at a group dinner that you can't talk about diabetes. What I'm mainly asking about is do you want say Medtronic to be present and give a 3 hour session on their pump and CGMS. And if we did it for one company, we'd do it for all, so most likely a full days worth of pump info. Then the next day would be something along the lines of maybe a speaker talking about eating habits/choices. Basically, how far do you want it to go to being a huge planned diabetes conference type event vs. just a vacation where whatever happens happens.

[princesslinda]

For me personally, I would enjoy the opportunity to meet with the folks I "talk" with and get to know them. We deal with the diabetes aspect daily, here on the forums and in our personal daily lives. I think it would be fun just to "Meet & Greet."

[Dewey]

I could see both sides of this....On the one hand, it would be good to have sponsors who would also do some educational sessions regarding pump therapy, etc., especially if people have questions or are interested in a product. We never cease to learn, so perhaps hearing companies speak of up & coming products would be cool?

That said, I also understand that not everyone will want to go to sessions or talk about Diabetes (other than at dinner or amongst friends). If that's more the case or decision here, then I'm cool with that as well.

I could go any way on it, because I'm a gadget freak, am into the various products, and always love to learn new things. :D

[princesslinda]

I agree that it would be interesting to see the various trends in diabetes management/treatment as well, esp. if there were tables set up to go around to and get information to take with me. I would just want to make sure there was plenty of face to face time as well.

[jeggeman31]

For me personally, I would enjoy the opportunity to meet with the folks I "talk" with and get to know them. We deal with the diabetes aspect daily, here on the forums and in our personal daily lives. I think it would be fun just to "Meet & Greet."

I have to agree 100% with the quote above.

[Cyborg]

Personally, I wouldn't mind the opportunity to see some new diabetes related technology. I'd even be willing to spend a little time doing something mandatory if it helped get a discount or helped in some other way. The best part of any trip, with or without diabetes related events, would be to meet fellow members and to socialize. :)

[BriOnH]

At diabetic events I attend it's your option to visit the booth or seminar. I'd prefer stuff to be there and not use it then not be around and sit around asking "what should we do?".

If I was at a car forum, I would expect to be talking and learning about cars from fellow car freaks, if I was at a pdaphone forum I'd expect to see the latest technology and meet the fellow gadget freaks.

I believe the question you are really asking is; should we keep this grassroots, low key, and just fun, or should we step it up to the next level and deal with corporations that require responsibility and bring in money to do things more efficently with better organization?

Much like my last girlfriend, I could go either way :) . Let the people decide. This persons vote is to get me money to open a lab by 40 and make sure everyone has fun a long the way. As long as we handle this maturely and diplomatically I am sure we can all reach that middle ground to get the majority happy.

[JediSkipdogg]

At diabetic events I attend it's your option to visit the booth or seminar. I'd prefer stuff to be there and not use it then not be around and sit around asking "what should we do?".

But the problem is we are a small group here. Now, if you plan on dumping thousands into mass advertising to get a larger population than I can understand that.

Most organizations will want to send a rep to the event and may (if they see enough interest/benefit to them) donate some money as well. However, seeing as this isn't a full non-profit group (this website hasn't applied for IRS non-profit status that I know of) that may be easier said than done. Now, I could be wrong, but my experience in planning events is that they need to see a benefit to them. When I was in planning with the car website we had GM come out and than recieved donations of gifts from about 15 of the 100 companies we requested stuff from. The gifts were then raffled off to raise money to help pay for the event. However, in a way, that's just more money on those attending.

I just don't see without this being a huge event companies wanting to do much. The CWD Conference costs $250 to attend. About 1/3 of the ADA expos have an admission fee. Both of those have thousands of people and I can guarantee help to make a pretty penny for the pharmaceutical companies.

If I was at a car forum, I would expect to be talking and learning about cars from fellow car freaks, if I was at a pdaphone forum I'd expect to see the latest technology and meet the fellow gadget freaks.

We will be meeting fellow diabetics and talking about diabetes. However, just from this poll it appears most don't want to be attending sessions or have companies there for further info. And that's another thing, bringing companies will then require meeting space to be rented out wherever the event is held. Which then means you have to get a large enough group of companies present to justify the cost of the meeting space. And if you fail at getting those numbers, then to me it seems like we'd have to call the companies back and they may then back out.

I believe the question you are really asking is; should we keep this grassroots, low key, and just fun, or should we step it up to the next level and deal with corporations that require responsibility and bring in money to do things more efficently with better organization?

That is what I'm asking, but I'm asking if people want that. And so far, it appears they don't. They just want a way to meet people from this website in person. I'm going to keep this thread and the location and date thread going for about a month and then I'll start narrowing them down from there. I don't think a huge production should be made and then not many want to attend it as it would be both a waste on companies coming and a waste on our time preparing.


What can we offer that an ADA expo can't? That should be the ultimate question I think. And how can we get the numbers that an expo brings out to interest companies in coming. Or...maybe we shouldnt' even be considering that and two seperate events should be planned. Although, I personally think it's hard to even compete with an ADA expo at this time.

[Cyborg]

However, just from this poll it appears most don't want to be attending sessions or have companies there for further info.

That's not the way I read the results of the poll (that has only been up for a few days). As of right now, there are 13 votes to spend at least 25% of the time doing something diabetes related and 10 votes to spend no time doing such...

[JediSkipdogg]

That's not the way I read the results of the poll (that has only been up for a few days). As of right now, there are 13 votes to spend at least 25% of the time doing something diabetes related and 10 votes to spend no time doing such...

I think I made a mistake on this poll. This is one poll that I should not have made multiple vote. 16 voters but 24 votes. I guess I'll just see where the info on here goes. I was hoping for more replies in the thread of what people wanted as a survey only gives so much.

[Cyborg]

I think I made a mistake on this poll. This is one poll that I should not have made multiple vote. 16 voters but 24 votes.

I think you did it right. I voted for either none or just 25%. I like having the ability to pick more than one option. No matter how the vote turns out, I would still like to attend...

[notme]

I voted for the first two. I would like to see our first (sort of) official meet and greet as a fun get together. I want to meet DF members and get to know them and their families.

Me and a couple other people planned the first official Meet and Greet on the geocaching website back in 2000. We expected about 20 people and we ended up with over 120. It was a huge success and everyone had a great time. We had no great plans for geocaching products, but it definitely was discussed by the participants. Future meet ups turned to product promotions, REI showed up with the latest and greatest equipment and the events became a part of geocaching.com. We still also just had family picnics without sponsors.

I think once we see how many people would actually attend, we can plan future events accordingly.