Ok, people. The Chicago Gathering is just around the corner, so I thought I'd start a new thread to coordinate final details (instead of burying it in the earlier one).
Officially (in of course, an unofficial capacity) we'll be getting together Saturday, November 12th and Sunday, November 13th (ooh, Sunday the 13th - I'm nervous already...). Keep in mind some of us (like me) may be in town both before and after those dates.
As of now, the plan is for all of us to meet up at the Westin Chicago River North lobby/lounge Saturday morning:
http://www.westinchicago.com/
Last year I think we made the time fairly late, like 11ish???, mostly to accomodate those that were driving into town from the burbs and points beyond. This year I imagine we'll do the same...
Also, last year the first thing we decided to do after walking around a bit was have lunch , so if your idea is to get as much shooting in as possible (mine isn't, btw), then by all means feel free to get an early start on your own and meet up with the group at a later point in the day.
Anyway, if you'd like to be included in the Official Chicago Gathering grapevine loop (in again, an unofficial capacity), please email me at photoasylum@yahoo.com and give me a rough idea of what your itinerary is.
IMPORTANT: If you want to be reachable while in town (or on the road), please include your mobile phone number (which I WILL NOT share with anybody).
As for dinner Saturday evening, in the past we've made elaborate plans, with reservations and the whole nine yards, and each time it seemed to unravel at the last moment. Last year we played it by ear, just found a spot spontaneously, and it worked out great. I assume we'll give that try again this time. Dress is absolutely casual...
Finally, we'll be having a print exchange again this year. Don't worry, participation is purely voluntary, and there are no set rules. Basically (if you want) bring prints (any size) of your favorite work, enough to give one to everyone else there (we'll have a head count by the weekend), and exchange them for prints from the others. Some bring a large assortment of images, some bring multiple copies of one photo...
That's all I can think of for now. We'll discuss more details in the next week. FWIW, I'm kind of working this thing from the outside (think of me as the Gathering Den Mutha), and Steve (another view) is our point man in town. So any questions, feel free to ask either of us...
Can't wait to see old faces (I mean that figuratively, not literally, heh heh), and meet new ones!