Difference between revisions of "2011 Annual Gathering of American Mensa"
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[[Image:M-us-ag-2011.jpg|thumb|right|Program book cover]] | [[Image:M-us-ag-2011.jpg|thumb|right|Program book cover]] | ||
| − | The '''2011 [[Annual Gathering of American Mensa]]''', "AGreat Journey West", was held in [[wikipedia:Portland, Oregon|Portland, Oregon]] at the Hilton Portland | + | The '''2011 [[Annual Gathering of American Mensa]]''', "AGreat Journey West", was held in [[wikipedia:Portland, Oregon|Portland, Oregon]]. An AG is such a large event, Mensans used all available rooms at 4 different properties. The main event hotel was the Hilton Portland with the Hilton Executive Tower hotel across the street serving as a hybrid main hotel and overflow. The other overflow hotels included The Lloyd Center Doubletree which served as economy (20% less) and "The Nines" a super-luxury property which was available at prime hotel rates - about 1/3 their normal rate - and just 2 very short Portland-sized blocks away. The Doubletree is located at the Northeast tip of Portland's "Free Rail Zone" so members who stayed there were only a 15 minutes free light rail ride away from the main event."The Nines" is |
| − | Hospitality was located in a converted parking garage (with carpets and curtains added) at a level beneath all the other activities, and served meal-quality foods at mealtimes (other than those which had a formal meal on the meal plan) with a few light snack foods at other times. There was an extensive selection of local beer and wines. | + | The downtown location and the extensive public transit system of Portland facilitated exploration of the town for members who so desired. This was a clear contrast to other AGs where the hotels were located somewhere in suburban sprawl or near an airport. Light rail ran between the airport to within 2 blocks of the event hotel and stopped immediately in front of the Doubletree, all for a fare of less than $2.50 each way. |
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| + | June 30 to July 4, was Thursday through Monday instead of the more common Wednesday through Sunday due to Monday being the July 4th holiday. [[Michael Meagher]] was the chairman. | ||
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| + | Over 2,100 registrations were reported at the event before deductions for no-shows, currently estimated in the 100-200 range. | ||
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| + | Hospitality was located in a converted parking garage (with carpets and curtains added) at a level beneath all the other activities, and served meal-quality foods at mealtimes (other than those which had a formal meal on the meal plan) with a few light snack foods at other times. There was an extensive selection of fine local beer and local wines. | ||
This AG continued the international exchange program begun the previous year, where some speakers from other countries, and some American speakers, gave presentations both at this gathering and at the [[2011 European Mensas Annual Gathering]] in Paris to facilitate the development of Mensa leadership. | This AG continued the international exchange program begun the previous year, where some speakers from other countries, and some American speakers, gave presentations both at this gathering and at the [[2011 European Mensas Annual Gathering]] in Paris to facilitate the development of Mensa leadership. | ||
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The new [[American Mensa Committee|AMC]], elected in a controversial election in which the initially-announced results were withdrawn and replaced with new results due to a tabulation error, took office during this AG. The election was one of the topics of discussion at the [[Annual Business Meeting of American Mensa|Annual Business Meeting]], which had no official proposals on the agenda. | The new [[American Mensa Committee|AMC]], elected in a controversial election in which the initially-announced results were withdrawn and replaced with new results due to a tabulation error, took office during this AG. The election was one of the topics of discussion at the [[Annual Business Meeting of American Mensa|Annual Business Meeting]], which had no official proposals on the agenda. | ||
| − | Expelled member [[Barry Levine]] could be seen outside the hotel near the smokers (as in many states now, smoking was banned from indoor public areas), wearing a bright orange shirt proclaiming his expulsion and handing out flyers detailing his struggle. | + | Expelled member [[Barry Levine]] could be seen outside the hotel near the smokers (as in many states now, smoking was banned from indoor public areas), wearing a bright orange shirt proclaiming his expulsion and handing out flyers detailing his struggle. He was also seen inside the hotel on Monday July 4th, after the official end of the AG, sitting immediately inside and facing the main door. |
== External links == | == External links == | ||
Revision as of 22:10, 8 July 2011
The 2011 Annual Gathering of American Mensa, "AGreat Journey West", was held in Portland, Oregon. An AG is such a large event, Mensans used all available rooms at 4 different properties. The main event hotel was the Hilton Portland with the Hilton Executive Tower hotel across the street serving as a hybrid main hotel and overflow. The other overflow hotels included The Lloyd Center Doubletree which served as economy (20% less) and "The Nines" a super-luxury property which was available at prime hotel rates - about 1/3 their normal rate - and just 2 very short Portland-sized blocks away. The Doubletree is located at the Northeast tip of Portland's "Free Rail Zone" so members who stayed there were only a 15 minutes free light rail ride away from the main event."The Nines" is
The downtown location and the extensive public transit system of Portland facilitated exploration of the town for members who so desired. This was a clear contrast to other AGs where the hotels were located somewhere in suburban sprawl or near an airport. Light rail ran between the airport to within 2 blocks of the event hotel and stopped immediately in front of the Doubletree, all for a fare of less than $2.50 each way.
June 30 to July 4, was Thursday through Monday instead of the more common Wednesday through Sunday due to Monday being the July 4th holiday. Michael Meagher was the chairman.
Over 2,100 registrations were reported at the event before deductions for no-shows, currently estimated in the 100-200 range.
Hospitality was located in a converted parking garage (with carpets and curtains added) at a level beneath all the other activities, and served meal-quality foods at mealtimes (other than those which had a formal meal on the meal plan) with a few light snack foods at other times. There was an extensive selection of fine local beer and local wines.
This AG continued the international exchange program begun the previous year, where some speakers from other countries, and some American speakers, gave presentations both at this gathering and at the 2011 European Mensas Annual Gathering in Paris to facilitate the development of Mensa leadership.
The new AMC, elected in a controversial election in which the initially-announced results were withdrawn and replaced with new results due to a tabulation error, took office during this AG. The election was one of the topics of discussion at the Annual Business Meeting, which had no official proposals on the agenda.
Expelled member Barry Levine could be seen outside the hotel near the smokers (as in many states now, smoking was banned from indoor public areas), wearing a bright orange shirt proclaiming his expulsion and handing out flyers detailing his struggle. He was also seen inside the hotel on Monday July 4th, after the official end of the AG, sitting immediately inside and facing the main door.
External links
- Official AG 2011 site. Includes city and event info plus online registration.
- AG & Visitors Info. Presented by Oregon Mensa. Includes "Top 10 Things to do in Portland" list.
- Yahoo Group Discussion list for members planning to attend the AG.
- Event list as a subscribeable ICS calendar
- Event Hotel Location. Google Map. Be sure to zoom in and use street view.
- Edited Google Map Highlights the three Downtown Portland event hotels and light rail stops.
- Portland's "Free Rail Zone" Schematic Map. The Doubletree Hotel is inside the Free Rail Zone, across the street from the Lloyd Center Max Stop.
- Portland's "Free Rail Zone" Detailed Map. The Doubletree Hotel is inside the Free Rail Zone, across the street from the Lloyd Center Max Stop.
| Preceded by: 2010: Detroit |
Annual Gathering of American Mensa 2011 |
Succeeded by: 2012: Reno |
