International Rock Garden Conference 2021

[Richard Green]

I am pleased that our first online talk was a success, and that it is generating thoughts, comments and suggestions.  This was the intention behind my suggestion of opening with a talk which would generate a wide interest.  We had well over 50 people watching the talk, and more than half the viewers were not actually West of Scotland Group members! 

There are many opportunities for various ways forward, and as Ian says, there would be much to think about before a conference could be a success, but other organisations are doing such things.  Yes, the time difference is a problem, but a series of talks could be scheduled over several days to cover most time zones.  It is also possible to record the live talks, and make them available to participants to view afterwards at a more convenient time.

Comments from others on possible opportunities will be welcome.

[Margaret Thorne]

I certainly wasn't suggesting running the whole conference by zoom, just trying to be a bit positive about a horrible situation

[Maggi Young]

I've  tried  to take part in a  few  of the  all day  events  by  zoom - totally  exhausting, especially  when not  in UK time  zone.    Single  talks are  another  matter- but  I  wonder  what the feeling   would be generally  about  paying  for  these if they were  to be  "cost  effective"  - a few  internet happy  folks  saying, "not  a  problem" may not  cover the  whole  story!