How to get the most from a Letterhead Meet?

[joe cieslowski]

With our meet coming up next weekend, I thought it would be great if meet veterans would share their ideas on how to get the most from a Letterhead meet. What to bring? What to do? etc

Questions from newbees would fit in well here too.

Thanks in advance!

Joe

[Mike Jackson]

Joe,
The key, in my opinion, is for you to offer ways to get all the people to get involved in doing projects. I've been to a couple where no one really grabbed a brush or chisel and most stood around just talking. In one of our "TotemHeads" meetings, we assigned a section of a couple of poles to each person or team. There were also a couple of test poles where beginners could whack away with a mallet and chisel without fear of ruining anything. That's just an example...but you get the idea.

Have fun,
Mike Jackson

[Tony Segale]

Hi Joe,

No sense of fluffin your feathers about it, but with the meet a week away, it might be a little late for a few ideas.
Simplest might be having a project everyone can work on individually, to see the different techniques and colors
employed by each lettering or carving artist. If you don't have that ready, give 'em all a 'request for design' as if was ordered
by a client, to see what everyone creates.
Themes for a meet are always good..see 'original dead men' post.
Good food, good friends, good art, all seems to be a ...what's the word I'm lookin for?...
a 'by-product' of those 'theme' type of meets, truth be told.

have a good time
Aho

[joe cieslowski]

Thanks Mike and Tony!

We do have several presenters to demo different skills as well as a workshop or two. It is a little late to develope a particular theme but I do like the "How would you design this sign" idea. It will certainly help someone who can't think of something to do as well as learning a thing or two on design. I think Phil and I can come up with an approiate topic for this one.

My original intent for this thread was to ask what advise would you offer to someone who's attending a meet for the first time. I always felt it is important to not only bring your tools but your portfolio as well. It is such a great tool for getting advise on how to improve your work as well as sharing some of your own ideas with others.

Any other tips for newbees?

If I don't catch you this weekend, I sure hope we can meet up at one in the future!

Thanks,

Joe

[Patrick Erm]

I'm kinda new to this board, but I've been in this field for almost 30 years.
I LOVE panel jams and letterhead meets!
You learn so much, and see so much...that you come home 'enthusiastic' for your occupation???!!!...how cool is that??!!!

Beside a good demo or two, a 'hands on' workshop is one of my favorite things.
You can learn new tricks from the pros, while they watch over your shoulder...catching any skrew-ups before they get outta hand. Plus, you can practice on something besides your customers projects
I do like the idea of having everyone show their own different approach to the same project.
sounds fun!

I also adore the portfolio table. I love seein others' works, and even the portfolios themselves can get very interesting and creative as well.

hope you guys have a ball this weekend!!!