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POSTED FOR RAY MYERS by BRANT PEERY

DataNow Users,

My name is Ray Myers and I’m the IT Manager for Vera Water and Power in Spokane, Washington. As a DataNow user and previous conference attendee, I was asked by Bryan Matsuoka to poll our membership on suggestions for future conference locations. We’ve been going to Las Vegas now for close to 10 years, and I think most of us have enjoyed our annual trek to Vegas for a little early summer sun and after conference fun.

The purpose of this e-mail, it query you folks on where you would like to see future conferences held. Years ago we were confined to certain locations, usually in major cities or close to Twin Falls, due to the logistics of providing computer access for demonstration and instruction during the seminars. But with remote desktop connectivity and high speed Internet capabilities, the conference can be held virtually anywhere and can be successful no matter where we meet.

We’ve discussed the possibility of going to San Antonio, Texas for the past couple of years, but we always seen to return to Las Vegas. For me, personally, I would like to visit other cities and see other things. I’ve often thought it would be interesting to have the conference hosted by a different DataNow user every year so we would have an opportunity to visit their cities and enjoy some of the local hospitality. That will take more time for planning than what we have available before next years conference, but it would be interesting to at least think about it in future.

Let me have your ideas. I know Bryan is in contact with a couple of people in San Antonio, Texas looking at the possibility of having the 2007 conference there. I’m personally in favor of the change. I was in San Antonio a year ago last October, and it was wonderful. The city is full of activity, the River Walk with all its restaurant’s and shops is very enjoyable, the food is delicious, and the people are ‘tourist’ friendly. Everything we ate or bought was very reasonable. The Alamo is within walking distance of the River Walk, and I believe the airport is only about 8 miles from the center of downtown San Antonio. There’s lots to do just outside the city as well.

Give us your ideas. I know Bryan is waiting for comments and suggestions and anxious and willing to consider any recommendations. (Only members who participate in this survey have a right to gripe or complain about future locations.)