Next NRG Conference

[YankeeClipper]

Is there any information about the schedule or location for the next Nautical Research Guild annual conference?

 

While the 2021 conference was cancelled due to the pandemic, the NRG site suggested the 2022 conference might be held at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum.

[kurtvd19]

The new Director of the Channel Islands Museum has said the museum is too small for us to have our conference there so there will not be a conference there.  The date/location of the next conference is unknown at this time.

[Chuck Seiler]

    Did the place get smaller or is it the NEW Director change the policy on hosting events.

 

    He/she probably heard what a rowdy bunch we are. 

[bdb]

The Nautical Research Guild website has posted that the 2023 and 2024 annual conferences have been canceled.

[Chuck Seiler]

Sadly so.  We are still hiding from COVID.

[allanyed]

8 hours ago, Chuck Seiler said:

We are still hiding from COVID.

Huge applause to those that organize the conference as I cannot imagine the work that goes into organizing such an event and hoping there are enough attendees to make it worth all that effort.  But, is covid the reason to cancel??   Regardless, 'tis a shame.

Edited May 9, 2023 by allanyed

[Jim Rogers]

I would like to suggest Bremerton WA. You have the Naval Museum at the Puget Sound Naval shipyard and the Undersea Warfare Museum at Torpedotown Keyport Wa and I know the undersea museum has plenty of space.

[Justin P.]

1 hour ago, Jim Rogers said:

I would like to suggest Bremerton WA. You have the Naval Museum at the Puget Sound Naval shipyard and the Undersea Warfare Museum at Torpedotown Keyport Wa and I know the undersea museum has plenty of space.

I second the suggestion that a hard look at the PNW be made.   Aside from Bremerton, which has historic ship museums, an undersea museum as well as a healthy maritime tradition it also has the Center for Wooden Boats, the School of Wooden Boat Building and the annual Wooden Boat Festival.  Im positive a location could be had at reasonable prices with choice accommodation collocated.    I also live here...  which is a bonus for me :).

[kurtvd19]

When we decide that an event is possible we will absolutely keep Bremerton in mind.  A conference needs a minimum of 18 months lead time and 24 months is a lot better.   I have added your names as contacts in Bremerton if we consider it as a future Conference or regional seminar location.

 

 

[Azzoun]

Battleship NJ?,  Philadelphia?

[kurtvd19]

We toured the USS New Jersey  2X.   A lot of places to see for the first time before we do it again.

[capnharv2]

Something else to consider for the conference is how the location impacts attendance. Places like LA, Chicago, New England etc are home to a lot more ship modelers, and are more likely to attend a conference there than some place far away. I suspect few people would attend a conference in Hawaii-even though it has a rich maritime history (and is a great vacation spot to boot)

Having lived in the PNW and ship modeling here for 40 years, I'd love to see an NRG conference here. But I'm not sure what attendance would be.

My opinion only. Your mileage may vary. . .

Thanks,

Harvey

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

Possibles ... 

The Mariners Museum in Newport News, VA. - many artifacts on display including the Monitor remains, close to Colonial Williamsburg and other historic attractions

 

The Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia - exhibits plus the U.S.S. Olympia, close to the Museum of the Revolution & historic sites, travel by Amtrak is possible due to the proximity of Pennsylvania station

 

The Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic CT

 

Baltimore 'Inner Harbor' area (would need a hotel venue close to the harbor exhibits)

[kurtvd19]

Thanks.  We have been to all these locations - some multiple times. 

[Roger Pellett]

HKurt,  

 

Accessibility.  For those of that need to fly to attend, we are stuck with the airlines’ hub and spoke System.  IMHO the airlines do a pretty good job flying from hub to hub. Service to spoke destinations from hubs is often much poorer, especially as this is sometimes contracted out to a small regional carrier.  A conference destination close to a major airline hub is therefore looking more desirable especially for older members like me who don’t tolerate the more frequently occurring airline chaos. This does not prevent selection of some otherwise unlikely locations.  For example, National Great Lakes Maritime Museum.  It’s located in Toledo, Ohio, hardly a major travel destination; BUT-  Toledo is located within an hours drive from the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a Major Delta Hub.

 

For those of us that attend with our spouses the availability of safe, interesting destinations for them is important.  IMHO this pretty much eliminates Baltimore. 

 

My my wife and I thought that Mystic, CT and New Bedford, MA were inspired choices.  Each within easy drives from NYC LaGuardia and interesting for spouses.

 

A final thought-  During my lifetime I have noticed that the most successful events are often those organized around a predictable formula.  This is true for the Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast as well as Huge Trade Shows.  SO-  Maybe pick three destinations; East Coast, West Coast, Midwest that meet Criteria, and establish ongoing relationships for venue, lodging, catering, etc.  How about Mystic, CT, San Diego, CA, Chicago.  Rotate in successive years.  

 

Roger 

Edited May 15, 2023 by Roger Pellett

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

  Yeah, 'guess the major East Coast maritime museums have all been previous sites for the NRG ... and I'm a recent new member.  So what about ...

 

The Erie Maritime museum and U.S. Brig Niagara in Eire, PA

 

The Maritime Museum of Sandusky, OH - just west of Cleveland

 

The U.S.S. Cairo Museum in Vicksburg, MS

[MrBlueJacket]

In the Northeast we hold an annual joint clubs meeting at the same place and time every year, and it draws 100 modelers. Always the last Saturday in April, at the Port & Starboard convention center in New London CT. Here is a video of this year's conference:

 

 

So the idea of a rotating but repeat location is very attractive.

[Roger Pellett]

I personally would attend a NRG Conference in Mystic on a regular basis:

A beautiful hotel.

A town that my wife feels comfortable exploring while I attend the meeting.

There are always enough new things happening the the Seaport to keep me coming back.

Other things to see nearby- Submarine Force Museum, Coast Guard Academy.

Good restaurants

A reasonable drive to Herreshoff Museum

Accessible to NYC LaGuardia Airport with nonstop flights to major Airline Hubs

 

Roger

 

 

 

 

[dvm27]

I agree with Roger with regards to a regular NRG meeting in Mystic (or Newport News or Annapolis). But to be fair I would think it could alternated with a West Coast NRG meeting. If memory serves me well all the largest NRG meetings I've attended have been on either coast. Perhaps not fair to our interior members but we need to attract as many members as possible to our annual meeting.

[kurtvd19]

We have had very good attendance at the last couple of annual meetings - virtual.  I think you meant conference where we hold the meeting.

 

 

[Roger Pellett]

Actually my suggestion was three locations in rotation-  East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, but the same city, venue, etc. each time in each.  One reason for this is to make life easier  for volunteer committee members.

 

Annapolis would work.  It is close to three major airports and the Naval Academy Museum is an obvious draw.  Unfortunately it is no longer the quiet Naval Academy town that I used to like to visit.

 

Newport News/ Norfolk is of course rich in maritime history.  If you include the Norfolk Naval Shipyard it has the most to offer of all three.  Not close to a major airport and I’m not sure if it would appeal to spouses.

 

Roger