Difference between revisions of "2004 Annual Gathering of American Mensa"
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[[Image:Ag-2004-program.png|thumb|right|Program book cover]] | [[Image:Ag-2004-program.png|thumb|right|Program book cover]] | ||
| − | The '''2004 [[Annual Gathering of American Mensa]]''', '''ExtravAGanza''', was held in [[wikipedia:Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas, Nevada]], at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. It lasted from June 30th through July 5th. [[Cookie Bakke]] was the chair.{{ref|chair}} Due to hotel and union rules, [[Annual Gathering hospitality suite|hospitality]] was conducted with a more limited selection of food than had been typical of American AGs to this point, although organizers stated that they in fact had managed to negotiate concessions unheard-of for the Las Vegas hotel community in order to supply the degree of hospitality food they did. Despite advance publicity explaining this limited food service, there have still been a number of complaints during and after the gathering about hospitality food, with some attendees comparing it to the [[1986 Annual Gathering of American Mensa|1986 New York]] "[[wikipedia:Karen Carpenter|Karen Carpenter]] Memorial AG". | + | The '''2004 [[Annual Gathering of American Mensa]]''', '''ExtravAGanza''', was held in [[wikipedia:Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas, Nevada]], at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. It lasted from June 30th through July 5th. [[Cookie Bakke]] was the chair.{{ref|chair}} Attendance was over 1800, the largest so far for an American AG. Due to hotel and union rules, [[Annual Gathering hospitality suite|hospitality]] was conducted with a more limited selection of food than had been typical of American AGs to this point, although organizers stated that they in fact had managed to negotiate concessions unheard-of for the Las Vegas hotel community in order to supply the degree of hospitality food they did. Despite advance publicity explaining this limited food service, there have still been a number of complaints during and after the gathering about hospitality food, with some attendees comparing it to the [[1986 Annual Gathering of American Mensa|1986 New York]] "[[wikipedia:Karen Carpenter|Karen Carpenter]] Memorial AG". |
The Las Vegas AG was originally proposed as a consortium bid not sponsored by any local group, and organized primarily by Mensans in [[wikipedia:California|California]], but it was ultimately changed to be officially run by the local group for the area, [[Southern Nevada Mensa]], though some of the organizers continued to be based elsewhere (though at least one changed their membership by preference to the local group). The [[American Mensa National Office|National Office]] played a greater role in the administration of this gathering than earlier AGs, continuing a trend towards paid staff in preference to volunteer labor. | The Las Vegas AG was originally proposed as a consortium bid not sponsored by any local group, and organized primarily by Mensans in [[wikipedia:California|California]], but it was ultimately changed to be officially run by the local group for the area, [[Southern Nevada Mensa]], though some of the organizers continued to be based elsewhere (though at least one changed their membership by preference to the local group). The [[American Mensa National Office|National Office]] played a greater role in the administration of this gathering than earlier AGs, continuing a trend towards paid staff in preference to volunteer labor. | ||
Revision as of 04:49, 27 September 2005
The 2004 Annual Gathering of American Mensa, ExtravAGanza, was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. It lasted from June 30th through July 5th. Cookie Bakke was the chair.[1] Attendance was over 1800, the largest so far for an American AG. Due to hotel and union rules, hospitality was conducted with a more limited selection of food than had been typical of American AGs to this point, although organizers stated that they in fact had managed to negotiate concessions unheard-of for the Las Vegas hotel community in order to supply the degree of hospitality food they did. Despite advance publicity explaining this limited food service, there have still been a number of complaints during and after the gathering about hospitality food, with some attendees comparing it to the 1986 New York "Karen Carpenter Memorial AG".
The Las Vegas AG was originally proposed as a consortium bid not sponsored by any local group, and organized primarily by Mensans in California, but it was ultimately changed to be officially run by the local group for the area, Southern Nevada Mensa, though some of the organizers continued to be based elsewhere (though at least one changed their membership by preference to the local group). The National Office played a greater role in the administration of this gathering than earlier AGs, continuing a trend towards paid staff in preference to volunteer labor.
Discussion and debate regarding the location of AGs has centered on the question of whether they should be held in "destination cities" where members might want to go anyway, and the AG gives them the excuse, versus holding them in less "glamorous" places because many members go to meet other Mensans and participate in events at the AG, and seldom leave the hotel anyway. Several recent AGs, including this one, have taken the "destination city" approach, resulting in high attendance, but criticism on the grounds of expensive hotel rooms, overly restrictive rules, and less opportunity for social interaction because many attendees were out enjoying other attractions of the host city.
External links
- wAGging the Dog (by Peg Shambo, in Going Forward)
Notes and references
- ^ That's how she credited herself, though she's not actually a piece of furniture.
| Preceded by: 2003: St. Paul, Minnesota (w. Canada) |
Annual Gathering of American Mensa 2004 |
Succeeded by: 2005: New Orleans |
