For those that have attended the OH Conference, was it worth it?
ready_2_live
on 3/3/12 10:58 pm - Niceville, FL
on 3/3/12 10:58 pm - Niceville, FL
I have been to many conferences and seminars in my career life but they were all funded by my employer. Some of them were great, but some of them I was extremely happy that it was not MY money I spent on attending.
I am considering attending the OH Conference in October, but since I will be funding it out of my own pocket I am interested in hearing from those who have attended whether or not it was worth your while. What were some of the take-aways that you probably would not have been able to obtain had you not attended?
Thanks!
I am considering attending the OH Conference in October, but since I will be funding it out of my own pocket I am interested in hearing from those who have attended whether or not it was worth your while. What were some of the take-aways that you probably would not have been able to obtain had you not attended?
Thanks!
Haven't gone to previous ones, so I hope you'll get responses from those who have.... I'm actually considering going too, as Dr Stapleton will be having a CEU conference that Friday and it's a pretty good value for the continuing education! Plus, as I'd be traveling for mainly the purpose of business/professional education, I think I'll be able to write off travel expenses.
First ultra: Stone Mill 50 miler 11/15/14 13:44:38, First Full Marathon: Marine Corps 10/27/13 4:57:11, Half Marathon PR 2:04:43 at Shamrock VA Beach Half-Marathon, 12/2/12 First Half-Marathon 2:32:47, 5K PR Run Under the Lights 5K 27:23 on 11/23/13, 10K PR 52:53 Pike's Peek 10K 4/21/13, (1st timed run) Accumen 8K 51:09 10/14/12.
I went to the one OH had back in October 2009, in NY. Personally, I didn't like it. Many of the presentations were sales-y and not really of any value.
I didn't hear or learn anything I didn't already know. I also found it disturbing/amusing that the hotel served sandwiches and sugar free cookies for lunch.
I went with some of my girlfriends that I actually met because of OH, and for that the conference was good - an opportunity to hang out with my friends AND to meet others that I only "knew" virtually. That was really nice. I didn't go to the Saturday night portion of the conference (the fashion show) because my friends and I went out for dinner instead.
I remember we were at one of the "vitamin infomationals" and the person speaking said there it's perfectly fine to take Flintstones vitamins, we got up and walked out. There were jewelry sales people there in the vendor area and tupperware people too. Not really sure why.
So if you are going to meet some of your online friends in person, then yes, I would go.
If you are going because you think there is some "special" info you haven't yet heard about WLS, then I would save my money. Unless they have drastically changed the format/presentations, but it doesn't look as though they have.
I didn't hear or learn anything I didn't already know. I also found it disturbing/amusing that the hotel served sandwiches and sugar free cookies for lunch.
I went with some of my girlfriends that I actually met because of OH, and for that the conference was good - an opportunity to hang out with my friends AND to meet others that I only "knew" virtually. That was really nice. I didn't go to the Saturday night portion of the conference (the fashion show) because my friends and I went out for dinner instead.
I remember we were at one of the "vitamin infomationals" and the person speaking said there it's perfectly fine to take Flintstones vitamins, we got up and walked out. There were jewelry sales people there in the vendor area and tupperware people too. Not really sure why.
So if you are going to meet some of your online friends in person, then yes, I would go.
If you are going because you think there is some "special" info you haven't yet heard about WLS, then I would save my money. Unless they have drastically changed the format/presentations, but it doesn't look as though they have.
I have the same questions about value for the conference.
I'm going on the upcoming OH cruise, so I'll let people know how that goes. I figure it might be a good way to get to know some people in RL, plus I will be going zip-lining in Jamaica!
I'm going on the upcoming OH cruise, so I'll let people know how that goes. I figure it might be a good way to get to know some people in RL, plus I will be going zip-lining in Jamaica!
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly." Richard Bach
"Support fosters your growth. If you are getting enough of the right support, you will experience a major transformation in yourself. You will discover a sense of empowerment and peace you have never before experienced. You will come to believe you can overcome your challenges and find some joy in this world." Katie Jay
I go...but not for the presentations. They are...meh...
What is far more valuable for ME is the chance to meet folks face to face. I've met Lora at OH Conference, Melting Mama, Andrea U and some of the other folks who helped me SO much in my journey. The last one I attended was in Cincinnati in 2010 and we did a big dinner which was so fun.
Those of you who hear me speaking about "the mechanical bull" incident...that's what this is...see...here's a pic:
Mental note: In the future...wearing a mini-dress on a mechanical bull is NOT a good idea!
Then there is also the fashion show/party on the last night. That's very fun and inspirational. You get to see and hear about people's journeys and that year there was a really moving story about a lady who was confined to a wheelchair as an obese person who was inspired by someone on OH and vowed to walk and even dance although she is deaf. And she danced with her OH inspiration. That moved me a lot.
Here are a few other OH conference memories:
Me, Pam, MM and Penney "OH'ing" at the OH conference.
Me and my friend Tony (used to post here often) doing our version of the "Single Ladies" dance at the party/fashion show.
And of course me getting to meet FINE AZZ Dr. Garth. (His hotel room was next to mine too. Swoon! Alas, he is married...)
Anyway, being around so many other post-ops, aka "People Who GET You" can be empowering. I highly suggest going, if only for that.
What is far more valuable for ME is the chance to meet folks face to face. I've met Lora at OH Conference, Melting Mama, Andrea U and some of the other folks who helped me SO much in my journey. The last one I attended was in Cincinnati in 2010 and we did a big dinner which was so fun.
Those of you who hear me speaking about "the mechanical bull" incident...that's what this is...see...here's a pic:
Mental note: In the future...wearing a mini-dress on a mechanical bull is NOT a good idea!
Then there is also the fashion show/party on the last night. That's very fun and inspirational. You get to see and hear about people's journeys and that year there was a really moving story about a lady who was confined to a wheelchair as an obese person who was inspired by someone on OH and vowed to walk and even dance although she is deaf. And she danced with her OH inspiration. That moved me a lot.
Here are a few other OH conference memories:
Me, Pam, MM and Penney "OH'ing" at the OH conference.
Me and my friend Tony (used to post here often) doing our version of the "Single Ladies" dance at the party/fashion show.
And of course me getting to meet FINE AZZ Dr. Garth. (His hotel room was next to mine too. Swoon! Alas, he is married...)
Anyway, being around so many other post-ops, aka "People Who GET You" can be empowering. I highly suggest going, if only for that.
RNY Gastric Bypass 1-8-08 350/327/200 (HW/SW/CW). I spend most of my time playing with my food over at Bariatric Foodie - check me out!
I agree with Nik. I went to the one in Cincy. I really enjoyed meeting some of the people in person (but, sadly, somehow there were a couple of OH people who were there that I never saw but would have loved to have spent some time with... like KittenLove), and a couple of the presentations were pretty good, but most were just mediocre. One was downright bad. For me, participating in the fashion show was a really good experience... getting up there in front of all those people wearing 4-inch heels for the first time in my adult life helped me appreciate how far I have come from the 330+ pound version of myself and helped me with my (continuing) journey towards accepting the body I have now even though it is not a size 6 body.
The social aspect of it was definitely greater than the educational value.
Lora
The social aspect of it was definitely greater than the educational value.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
I went to one in Rye NY in Oct 2009 and I really like it. I enjoyed meeting new people. back then I was pretty quiet and it was hard for me to meet people and didnt' really know anyone but I did meet a few people. I was getting close to my goal and I was convinced and not easily to participate in the fashion show and it was really good for me. I had never gotten up on stage in front of people before.
I really wish I could go to Atlanta but I can't aford it - It would be mean a plain ticket and conference tickets which is just not in my budget, so I will just have to read about it. So, anyone that can go, do it while you can - it is a great experience.
I really wish I could go on the cruise. that will the experience of a lifetime
I really wish I could go to Atlanta but I can't aford it - It would be mean a plain ticket and conference tickets which is just not in my budget, so I will just have to read about it. So, anyone that can go, do it while you can - it is a great experience.
I really wish I could go on the cruise. that will the experience of a lifetime
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