How about a Regional Conference in CNY

Hi all, I was at the East Coast Conference in Pittsburgh...it was great. I spoke with some people about a regional conference taking place in Central NY ( Syracuse ). I need to know if anyone would be willing to attend if a conference could be arranged. Syracuse is located in Central NY. Distances are approximate: From: NYC 247 miles From: Buffalo 150 miles From: Binghamton 73 miles From: Albany 144 miles From: Massena 161 miles From: Watertown 70 miles From: Rochester 87 miles I would need to try to get at least 100 people who would be willing to attend in order to pursue this further. I am going to check all of the support groups in our area, and it would be great if you could check with yours. Syracuse is a beautiful city with wonderful facilities to hold such an important event. So how about it??? Any takers??? Email me or post here if you would think about it. All my best, Debra

ey Debra, Syracuse is beautiful, but why don't they hold it a little closer to manhattan...easy access by car and by train. Syracuse is no closer to NYC or Long Island then Pittsburgh.

NYC is nice, but it's so far for those living in northern and western NY. Since Syracuse is in the dead center of NY, and is easily accessable by plane, train and automobile, and it would be great, especially for those who just don't want to go the big city. I think a lot of people forget that NY is a huge state with nearly 400+ miles from Massena to NYC, and over 300 miles from Buffalo to NYC. Not to mention it is very expensive to stay anywhere near NYC or Manhattan. This is just a thought, and nothing has even been planned. I'm just interested in knowing if anyone would come if there was one in Syracuse. Thanks for your input. Debra

Checked mapquest and Manhattan is 370 miles from Pittsburgh and 246 from Syracuse, so it's a little closer than Pittsburgh .

What about something in NJ? This way, you'd attract not only NY, but NJ, DC, PA, etc...

Hi Caroline, We drove 8 hours to Pittsburgh and it was worth every bit of the drive. The reason we are looking into Syracuse is to draw those who live in all of NY (especially those in northern and Western NY, Vermont, Maine, PA, Mass., etc. We also want to be able to work very closely with any venue to make sure they are completely accomodating to the needs of pre and post-ops. Just like Magee Women's Hospital was in Pittsburgh. Central NY is a beautiful place to visit, and I think that as long as we don't hold it during the winter (due to unpredictible snow) we should be good. Most all of the hotels in Syracuse provide free shuttle service to and from the airport, so this makes it very attractive as well. Let's see if our response to the possibilty of a regional conference would make this a reality. We'll keep you posted. Thanks, Debra

I like the idea of a little closer to NYC, 4 hours is too long of a drive for me and I don't know that financially I could swing something where I had to stay overnight. My sister just got married in Poughkeepsie [sp?] and that was a breeze. xosm

I'm 3 weeks out, Me and my GF had WLS and were in Syracuse. Were In

Dwight, Congratulations on your wls! Hopefully we get enough interest that we can make this happen. Let you know real soon. All my best, Deb

Hi Deb!!!!!!! Brucie and I would be there! Id also like to bring my sister and mom. I had such a great time in PA, and know allot from the Thursday night support group that I attend would go also. I am in a central Ny online support group, and im sure alot from there (Roch and Buffalo) would attend. Let me know if theres anything I can do to help!!! Hugs Kathy