Fred, I haven't looked it up to see if you are an ARA Board Member or Committe Member, but felt I had to speak out on a comment you made. Every educational class I attended at Vegas Show in 2003 I marked, "I would like to receive more information on CEU's.....". I have never heard a word from anybody. To me that doesn't seem like ARA wants to hear from us. I keep attending educational seminars, but I have been disappointed in most. To many rely on the handouts as being 'the tool' (if that's the case just pass them out to all at the door), and don't go into enough thought out detail to qualify as 'educational'. I believe in the 'show us' don't 'tell us' process of education. (why do you think they say a picture is worth a thousand words) For the record I haven't attended Dave's seminar so he is excluded ..... for the time being ;).

Later postings, Dave talks about Color Factory's weekend. Yes, I attended, and yes that was a perfect example of what is expected when you attend an educational event.

Yes, I enjoy social gatherings to meet fellow members - but leave the music off so we can talk!

I'm for leaving Vegas or at least rotating it so the show is only there every 5 years or so. I'd like to see the event even bigger. Many of us have duel areas of speciality (i.e. sublimation, embroidery, etc.) or at least outsource to other areas. Why not bring it 'all' together for truely the best show around.

Zona
Zona's Engraved Creations

Dave,
I will look forward to meeting you and other forum members in Las Vegas.
If there is anything I can do to help put the "pow wow" together, I would be more than willing to help, so please do not hesitate to call on me.

Chuck
Pacific LaZer Works

Chuck,

Thank you for your offer of assistance. We'll see what kind of help we may need and keep your name in mind.

Thanks again,

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

Zona,

One of the challenges in presenting educational seminars is determining the level of experience of the attendees.

Let's say we were to set up a classroom where everyone had their own computer worksation. One class, for example, could be training in Corel Draw, which (as you know) is used for everything from sublimation to laser engraving to creating files for computerized engraving systems. That would be ideal. Wouldn't it?

Here's the problem.

Unless the attendees were pre-screened or tested, which could identify their level of expertise (or lack thereof) the class would be immensely helpful for some, while others would be demanding a refund.

The "Choosing Sublimation Equipment & Supplies" seminar I conducted in Las Vegas (ARA), earlier this year was a prime example of a crowd with mixed levels of experience. I tried to tailor it to be of interest for all experience levels. At the end of the seminar, attendees filled out an evaluation form. Opinions were all over the road. Too basic. Too advanced. Too much information. Not enough time for Q&A.

In my estimation, the educational seminars would have much more impact and value to the attendee, if we could just zero in on a person's level of experience. How do you do that? Is it possible or feasible?

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

David,
Interstesting discussion.
At the Irvine show, I had some of the same feelings. In general I felt the seminars I attended were great, however some of the more specific seminars were geared toward more experiences users....
My suggestion would be to have ARA offer some "basic beginner" type classes in the various studies such as corel, or sublimation....sort of x-101, then offer advanced classes, leaving it up to the attendee to determine which was appropriate.
For example, if there were a "Corel for Newbies" seminar, I would take that, but alas I needed to take a seminar that moved to fast and really was above my skill level. The important thing is that even though it was at times hard to keep up, I did learn something, and since MOST ARA seminars do not cost anything.....just take them, get what you can from them and use that to build for the next one....eventually you will no longer be a "newbie"...

I'm going to bed.

Chuck Burke
Pacific LaZer Works

David,

With some of the processes you could go with the beginner and advanced approach. Others require so much information that you could structure the courses in a progressive format such as sublimation I, II, III and IV. Narrowing the scope of the information in this way would allow more time for Q & A.

As you are well aware, sublimation is one of many subjects you could easily teach for a week or so. Instead of the progressive approach, you could structure curriculum into specific topics beginning with a basic introductory class and following that up with offerings on substrates, artwork set-up, color-correction, dealing with printer problems, etc.

For standard, universal software packages like Corel, Illustrator, or Photoshop it might be worthwhile to check the local community college. I know that here we have a technology center which teaches focused courses in each of these.

I got a jumpstart on Illustrator this way. Two classes a week for 3 hours each for two weeks. All evening, at a cost of $175ish.

While it wouldn't be tailor made to our industry, that might not entirely be a bad thing. Plus you'd get to interact with the other students. We all had to introduce ourselves and reveal what we wanted to learn for. I'm sure some people would find it rather cool that we're there to run our lasers.

Sei

Dave, I understand setting up classes for all levels. My problem is the lecturer that stands up there (for example) and tries to tell us how to zero out a cutter, without having a picture showing what he is doing. A beginner that needs to know how to do this might be totally lost. It would not take that much to include a close up photo on the overhead screen showing what is being discribed. Many bring samples to look at after the class, but they are not labeled so you don't know what the sample is representing (and try to get up there to ask a question and make the next class). Why couldn't a picture of the sample be shown, so everybody can see what is being discussed. Hey, this is even true on the showroom, I understand having machines working in 'dummy' mode, but the vendors that don't even have a machine with the software running is a no stop for me. I come to Vegas to compare makes and models which means I want to see (test) how to set up a job, etc. Two years ago (I think it was Hermes) a hospitiality room was set up with machines all around. No you didn't have to be interested to visit, but it really was nice to be able to sit down at a machine and test everything up to the point of actually engraving. I know this kinda got off subject, but I needed to vent :).

Zona

Zonas,

My boss (Roy Brewer) is the Chairman for ARA's Education Committee this year. I can assure you the Education Committee takes your comments very seriously and takes even more seriously the requests for more info on CEUs.

Somehow (I have no idea how but I am certain that someone on the committee or on ARA's staff will attempt to find out), your request for information "fell through the cracks".

I'm not on the Committee but I promise that you will receive info & receive it quickly.

Thanks for posting the info!

Thanks for relaying my concerns to Roy.

This is totally off topic (slap my hand), but I have to tell you what "Murphy" did. You sent me an email letting me know Roy was going to be in town. I had several things going on and just didn't feel I had time to meet/visit with him. Well "Murphy" struck. Around 5pm on the last date you gave me, my hard drive crashed (not even spinning) on my engraving system. No problem I have many computers laying around....got one ready went to load my back up files - they were corrupted. If Roy had been available around 7pm that night he might have had one big sell. ;) Luckily, (for me and my customers) I found a company (if any body ever needs this they were great) in Florida ECO, sent them my hard drive and they have been able to retrieve all my files so I hope to be back up and running this week. Now I want to know how you knew I might be looking for a new system that date ?? lol

Zona
Zona's Engraved Creations
Topeka, KS

David,

You bring up a good point. Sublimation has the most variables of any process I've performed. Other processes, such as laser or computerized engraving are easier to get a handle on, though, would still require more than a couple of days of classes for the student to become proficient.

Is training, such as we're describing, beyond the scope of an ARA trade show?

Sei's suggestion makes sense. A person would become familiar with various kinds of software before coming to an ARA educational event, where the nuts and bolts of running the hardware would be the focus.

It's an interesting discussion. Keep the ideas coming :-)

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

Zona,

ARA instructors are encouraged to use PowerPoint in their presentations. Not required, but preferred. That way, pictures can be shown and handouts of the accompanying text offered as handouts.

I think that's how it works.

MY ARA presentation was the first time I've used PowerPoint. I had plenty of pictures for you to see :-)

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

Zona,

To continue "off-topic", you may be suspicious that I jinxed your system. I did not. I promise!

At any rate, while dad would have been thrilled to meet you at 7pm ... or as the used car commercials go down here -- "I'll meet you at 2am, if I know you're coming" -- he would meet you at any hour if physically possible!

I don't know if he could have helped but I know he would have tried. For future reference, we sell Xenetech & Epilog systems -- we don't get into the PC sales (except, occasionally as a package deal w/ a new engraver).

We hope you'll remember us & give us a shot the next time you're ready for a new engraver!

David,

I would like to see an educational event that stands alone on its own merit. A well thought out event that industry peers wouldn't want to miss. An event driven by nothing more than the desire to provide a quality, valuable educational experience.

Do you think that DSSI, Engraving Etc. and the Engraver's Journal could pull off such an event? (I took the liberty of throwing Cherie and Mike into the mix on this one.) It would take some time to put a structured plan and curriculum together, but I believe we could pull it off.

Kansas City would be a great place for this. I'll book the rooms! :-)

David,

Something as you suggest has been a daydream of mine. Very difficult to put together, but not impossible.

Kansas City sounds like a good location.

I would suggest a new thread for discussion of that idea.

This one started as an overview of the ARA Irvine show and has evolved into suggestions which the ARA can use to improve its shows.

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

 

I think Philadelphia would be a great location. :^b

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Harvey's Sub Page When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

Harvey,
With all due respect, how about MAUI????????

Chuck Burke
Pacific LaZer Works

Chuck,

No argument here!!!!!!!!

Too long a walk. You foot the air fare and I am there.!!!!!!!!

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Harvey's Sub Page When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

Plus, Roy Brewer wouldn't let Jeannette go. 8<)

Dave