[chato]

Who will be at the DBSA Conference????

I am flying in from Florida for the event. Thanks to a local business who is sponsoring me. But I've never gone to one before. I don't know what to expect.

Can you give me some idea as to what I will be seeing?

Besides temperatures in the 30's

Check out my link below too and you can see the video that won me 1st place for the Facing Us contest. That is what help me get the scholarship to go to the conference.

[(JD)]

http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/Page...vridirect=true

That link should have your answers! Stay warm.

[chato]

Thx for the link. I do have the info but I was hoping for some first hand knowledge of what to expect.

Hew you ever been to one of them? This year is the big 25 years for the DBSA.

[complic8d]

I was just going to post this question!!! I am going. I've never been before, but a couple of people I am going with have. They said it was great, they are looking forward to going again. We are lucky in that we are in Michigan so only have about a 3 hour drive. And, by the way, this weekend is supposed to be possibly in the 80s, so you can wear your "Florida clothes"!
Have fun, who knows, we may meet.
If you have a specific question, I may be able to find out for you.
Take care!

[(JD)]

I've run large conferences before, and been to many more. They generally flow the same way.

Try and research the speakers of the various seminars. Pick those topics that interest you most. I'm surprised if you don't have to pre register for the seminars you want (except for the large group ones for everyone, like the opening, closing and main name seminars -- those are usually in a ball room size area, or theater seating etc.)

There will be company booths along your walkways, usually along the main room hallways. These will be by drug companies (for your conference theme) and maybe also alternative medicine groups, etc. Your best bet is to take a small collapsible cloth/plastic bag to open up and carry things, or find a booth that is giving away bags. Maybe you'll receive one from registration? There are often goodies like note pads and other items of comfort, all with the company name on them.

Depending upon how large the seminars are (how many people they accommodate in each one) you might have an opportunity to ask questions during the seminar, or after. If it's after, make sure you aren't missing the next seminar half way across the conference building by staying and waiting to ask. Often the seminar speaker also has to be someplace and you might wait to ask a question and still miss out.

If you have questions already, write them down now and turn them in to the speaker or his/her assistant before the seminar begins. Then, if they are open to answering them, they'll make sure yours is included in the topic (if it's "legit" to them, of course.)

Make time for relaxing and down time. Plan your energy and brain sharpness for time for chatting with seminar attendees too. If you see they have a night time get together or party, then stop your seminar attending and go lie down and rest so you can enjoy it. Even without any illness -mental or physical- most people push too hard at a conference. They feel they paid money to attend and to get there, they don't wish to miss anything. But alas, they push too much and end up feeling worse and missing out and not understanding or feeling like they learned much that way.

Wear comfortable clothing and wear shoes in which you can walk quickly, safely, and comfortably. Take a small pillow if you need one, to sit with... take a light jacket or sweater in case the rooms are too cold. If you have a favorite water bottle, take it. Becoming dehydrated is a common error for conference attendees, few people will get up and go to the back of the room for a glass of water like I will!

Take a small tape recorder so you can pay attention and do some insight skills while in the seminars, rather than worrying about writing down every word. Some presenters might offer their talk on paper afterwards anyway. (Nothing worse than wasting brain energy on taking notes only to be handed everything at the end!) If a particular section of a seminar is keenly important, use your cell phone to video it, or your message area of the phone to record it. (Assuming they allow it.)

Be wary of those wanting to go elsewhere in the city to party or eat. Unless you have researched the area you are in, don't go. Many conference centers are in "downtown" areas that may be safe during the day, but not so much at night. If in doubt, call the local police or ask the service personnel at the conference.

Eat well, and rest. Good wishes!

[dogwood]

My husband and I (Larry and Linda Drain) are probably going.We have a DBSA chapter (Hopeworks) in Maryville Tn. http//:hopeworkscommunity.wordpress.com