Let's pick the date

Ann · #1 09-25-2003, 11:32 PM

Based on the poll results and lack of any suggestions for another venue, I'm going with the assumption that our get together should take place in St. Louis. Â*Going with this assumption, we need to start thinking about a date and what days of the week. Â*I'm not sure whether Memorial Day is May 24th or May 31. Â*Also, I don't know if anyone is interested in having it that weekend because it gives you an extra travel day, but also, for those flying, it will be more expensive. So, there is the week before Memorial Day or the week after as possible days. Â*I'm thinking maybe a Friday/Saturday would be the way to go. Â*Depending on how many events we want to plan, we might want it Thurs/Fri/Sat. Â*Anyway, I'm just throwing this out because I want to start contacting vendors Â*to get $$ and doctors that might be interested in giving a presentation. Â*I'm definately going to ask Dr. Cotton to attend, as I think he owes a good percentage of his business to this Board. Â*Does anyone who has had a personal experience with Dr. Cotton want to ask him if he'd be interested in giving a presentation? Â*Let me know what you all think . . .

cariaad · #2 09-26-2003, 04:57 AM

I think a Thur-Fri-Sat would be good...that way one day could be devoted to a zoo trip or something along those lines? Deb

christyw · #3 09-26-2003, 07:53 AM

My thinking is that while not everyone will be able to attend a Thursday THRU Saturday convention - this would at least make it so that everyone might be able to come for most or part of the convention. Personally, I want to see you all SO badly, but I have no idea what will be going on. We have the LTP coming up, and I'm in school. We're hoping we can get the LTP done during spring break, so I don't have to miss so much school, but we don't know how we'll handle the recovery period at home (why do I even try to go to school!!?). Anyway, whether school is in session or not, if we do a 2-3 day thing - I'll be there at least some if not all, unless Gaithy has the surgery then, and that would count us out. I hope that's not the case, but I'll actually try to schedule the surgery around THIS event. Â*I think the middle to end of May is good. The 13-15th and 20-21st sound best for me and those are Thurs-Sat. dates, but the 27-29th would be fine too.

Fri-Sun dates are good too.

christy

Jacob's Mom · #4 09-26-2003, 08:11 AM

Personally, I am open to any given date. I also agree with the 3 or 4 day idea, given some may not be able to attend the entire time. At least they would be there 1 or 2 days. I just can't wait to meet you all. Ann, please, please, tell me if I can do anything. I just really don't know where to start. I had an idea of doing like some workshops with the different speakers/guests.

annerae63 · #5 09-26-2003, 12:25 PM

Ann-
First of all, I would be happy to email Dr. Cotton to see if he would be interested in making an appearance.

As for the dates, mid to late May sounds good to me-doesn't matter if its Thurs-Sat., Fri-Sun.

Karen S. · #6 09-26-2003, 12:37 PM

Memorial Day falls on the 31st next year so I think that the weekend of May 15 or 22 would work better. I am also open for either the Friday/Sat or the Thurs/Fri/Sat venue.

Things are kinda hectic on this end with us leaving for Chicago Sunday, but I will give this venue much thought next week and try to come up with some ideas. I emailed a few people regarding help on starting to put this thing together, but have not heard from anyone yet.

Ann, do you have an idea of what part of St. Louis you think we should hold this in? Are we talking downtown, west, etc.?

annerae63 · #7 09-26-2003, 12:44 PM

I just sent Dr. Cotton an email-let's keep our fingers crossed!!

Ann · #8 09-26-2003, 12:58 PM

I want to get a sense for the weekend of June 3-5 also, just because I have older kids in school and would want to wait until school gets out. But, I'm flexible and not opposed to taking my kids out of school early (if I even decide to bring them). Â*

Karen - I am thinking about the Clayton area, or the Central West End/U City - somewhere near the Zoo/Science Center, but also not too far from downtown. I don't know, what do you think? Â*There has to be a Holiday Inn or someplace equivalent that can give a good group rate. Â*By the way, the person I spoke with at the St. Louis Convention and Visitor's Commission said that once we got to the point of needing to get a group rate and also reserving conference rooms, that is where he would be able to help us. Â*

Anne - thanks for e-mailing Dr. Cotton. Â*I hope he is available. Â*

Â*

Ann · #9 09-26-2003, 12:59 PM

Karen -
Good luck with your trip to Chicago. I hope everything works out for Hannah. I'll be thinking about you guys. Let us know how it goes.

annerae63 · #10 09-26-2003, 02:15 PM

Can you believe this? I emailed Dr. Cotton maybe 2 hrs ago and here is his reply:

"I would be delighted to do so, but please let me know the date before
you commit so I can tell you if I am available. In short, if you have
some leeway in your shedule date let me know as I have a travel schedule
set a year or two in advance.
Thanks for the opportunity to visit outside the hospital with these
families."

Robin T. Cotton, MD
Director
Pediatric Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Children's Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave
ML 2018
Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
513-636-4356
513-636-8133 fax
Robin.Cotton@cchmc.org email
www.cchmc.org
www.drcotton.com