ILDA Conference

Overview \| Photo preview Reservation details.\| Registration \| Attendees. Sponsorship opportunities \| Logo contest. Post-conference report \| Tim Walsh's diary.
Laser Projector Sponsor		MediaLas Laserproducts Conference Host LaserNet
Platinum Sponsor		Neo-Neon Laser
Gold Sponsor		Pangolin Laser Systems
Silver Sponsor		LOBO electronic
Bronze Sponsor		AixiZ

NOTE: The page below is the overview published prior to the cruise. Now that the cruise has concluded, you can read about the cruise in the official post-conference report as well as in Tim Walsh's diary.

2008 ILDA Conference overview

Tom Harman and Christine Jenkin from Laser Production Network (LaserNet) will be hosting the 2008 ILDA Conference on board the Carnival Imagination, cruising the Eastern Caribbean from September 8 to 13.

September 5 statement on weather and the cruise

The ILDA Conference is going on as scheduled. Although weather may play a part, we are on a ship which is able to change its cruise route and port calls.

To find out about any changes

Carnival has a "Tropical Weather Update" webpage which will announce any changes. To find the latest from Carnival, visit their home page and click the link "Tropical Weather Update". You can also check storm tracks from the U.S. National Hurricane Center; this will tell you where storms are headed (look for the "Warnings and 5-day Cone" map).
If there is a change in departure time/date, and you have any last-minute questions, you can call ILDA's main number 407-797-7654 (cell phone) for information.

Carnival operations during weather

As Carnival states: �All of Carnival�s ships operate at a safe distance from storms at all times. Our number one priority is the safety of our guests and crew.�
To give an example of how Carnival has flexibility, during Hurricane Gustav almost all of Carnival�s cruises in the Gulf area went on, though there were some changes:

Some cruises were simply rerouted. For example, one cruise visited its ports in the reverse order of the original plan. Others skipped a port or substituted another port.
A few cruises were shortened. For example, one cruise left a day late and was shortened from 5 to 4 days. Cruisers received a 25% refund, plus a coupon good for 25% off any Carnival cruise through December 15 2009. Another cruise was shortened from five days to a three day �Cruise to Nowhere�; these cruisers received a 50% refund plus a 50% future cruise discount.
If a cruise is shortened, cruisers can opt to cancel and receive a full refund from Carnival.

Some Conference events are open only to Members; other events such as the ILDA Awards and Lase-Off are also open to family and friends. There is a tentative list of attendees here.

Below is some preliminary information. Additional details on making reservations, pricing, passports, airports. etc. is here.

Ship

Carnival Imagination, a floating hotel/resort with 1,000 guest rooms and a capacity of 2,600 guests.

Quick Schedule

Sun, Sept. 7		Most attendees arrive the night before, to stay at Hampton Inn hotel. (Note: Party at LaserNet has been cancelled due to time constraints.)
Mon, Sept. 8		Board ship in Miami, between 12 noon and 2 pm. You must be on board before 2:30 pm at the very latest.
Tues, Sept. 9		At sea. Main ILDA business and seminars day; ATW.
Wed, Sept. 10		Grand Turk island. ILDA Awards Presentation, lasers at Lido Deck party.
Thurs, Sept. 11		Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. ILDA Tabletop Trade Show. ILDA Lase-Off
Fri, Sept. 12		Nassau, Bahamas.
Sat, Sept. 13		Return to Miami, disembark by 10 am.

Click here to find out more about the ports and the public itinerary.

Detailed Schedule

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 -- Deadline for lasers and other equipment used on board
By 5 pm Miami time		Any and all equipment which is not "suitcaseable" must arrive by 5 pm August 22 at LaserNet's offices in Miami. This also includes any and all equipment involved in the Awards Presentation. This deadline allows time for testing and Customs clearance. LaserNet will handle getting the equipment through Customs and onto the ship. This is for specialized equipment and items which might raise concerns upon Customs inspection when leaving the ship. For example, a laptop computer leaving the ship would not be a problem. But a strange-looking piece of equipment could end up being held by Customs until payment of duties or other resolution. Also, we need all Awards-related equipment in order to pre-test. Once we leave port, we cannot go back for cables, backups or other equipment. If you have any questions, contact Christine at LaserNet.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 -- For those arriving the night before
Evening		If you are coming to Miami on Sunday, LaserNet has made arrangements at a local hotel. Contact Christine at LaserNet if you want to stay at this hotel overnight.
		Note: The previously scheduled pre-cruise party at LaserNet on Sunday evening has been cancelled. This is because of workload and time constraints in getting ready for the next day's wedding and cruise.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 -- Board the ship
12 noon - 2 pm (arrive by 11 am if attending the wedding)		Board the ship in Miami, Florida. The ship closes boarding by 2:30 pm, so arrive at the cruise ship terminal's embarkation building by 2 pm to give sufficient processing time. This is especially important for non-U.S. citizens.
12 noon		Laser Wedding: Glenn Wright of LaserNet will be marrying Theresa Finn on board at 12 noon. All ILDA Members are invited to the service, which takes place in the Dynasty Lounge (main theatre). Wedding service is open to all Members and their family and friends.
4 pm		Ship departure: All hands on deck to watch the festivities as the ship leaves the dock for our 5-day adventure.
5 pm		ILDA Board of Directors meeting, Card Room. (Private, for Board members and committee chairs only)
7 pm - 8 pm		ILDA Welcome Cocktail Reception. Illusions Disco Open to all Members and their family and friends.
8 pm		Dinner. Note: All persons making reservations using ILDA's cruise code will eat during the same 8 pm dinner sitting (throughout the cruise) in the Spirit Dining room
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 -- At sea ILDA events on this day are open only to persons who have registered for the Conference. The ILDA General Business Meeting sessions are open to any Members, whether or not they have registered.
10 am - 11 am		ILDA General Business Meeting, part 1. Includes election of new Board members. Conference Room.
11 am - 12 noon		ILDA Seminar/breakout session 1 -- To Be Announced. Conference Room.
12 noon - 1 pm		ILDA General Business Meeting, part 2. Includes election of president. Conference Room.
1 pm - 3 pm		Lunch
3 pm - 4 pm		ILDA Advanced Technical Workshop. Conference Room.
4 pm - 5 pm		ILDA Seminar/breakout session 2 -- TBA. Card Room.
5 pm - 6 pm		ILDA Seminar/breakout session 3 -- TBA. Mirage Bar.
8 pm		Dinner
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 -- Grand Turk Island
7 am - 2:30 pm		In port: Visit Grand Turk Island
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm		Production staff -- set up ILDA Awards
3 pm - 5:45 pm		Pangolin User Group meeting, part 1 of 2. Conference Room. Open to any interested persons. Contact Pangolin for more information.
6 pm - 8 pm		ILDA Awards Presentation. See first place and selected winners shown in laser and video. Award trophies presented to all winners. Dynasty Lounge. Open to anyone onboard, including Members and their family and friends.
8 pm		Dinner
11:45 pm		Lido Deck laser party (for all passengers). ILDA will add lasers to the party! Open to anyone onboard, including Members and their family and friends.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 -- Half Moon Cay
9:30 am - 6 pm		In port: Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
2 pm - 7 pm		Pangolin User Group meeting, part 2 of 2. Conference Room. Open to any interested persons. Contact Pangolin for more information.
5 pm - 7 pm		ILDA Tabletop Tradeshow. Xanadu Lounge. Open only to persons registered for the Conference.
6 pm - 8 pm		ILDA Board of Directors meeting, Card Room. (Private for Board members only.)
8 pm		Dinner
11:30 pm		Production staff -- set up ILDA Lase-Off
11:40 pm - 2:00 am		ILDA Lase-Off, Dynasty Lounge Open to anyone onboard, including Members and their family and friends.
2:00 am - 2:30 pm		Production staff -- strike ILDA Lase-Off
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 -- Nassau
7 am - 5 pm		In port: Nassau, Bahamas
8 pm		Dinner
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 -- Return
8 am - 10 am		Return to Miami. You should be out of your cabin by 8 am. Disembarking must be completed by 10 am.

Cruise Cost

ILDA has reserved 30 low-cost interior cabins (no windows, Category 4A, with twin/king) at Carnival�s standard rate of USD $349 per person, double-occupancy. There are some additional port and fuel fees, and taxes, which add on approximately $109, plus a $50 gratuity charge. Keep in mind that the rate includes not only the cabin, but ALL MEALS (excluding drinks) and shipboard activities.

Because of the dollar/Euro situation, we believe this is an extraordinary value. Compared to having a conference in Europe or Asia, Americans can pay in dollars which keep their value at home, and Europeans and others are getting a bargain � hotel AND food AND entertainment for 5 nights/ 4 days at less than USD $500 per person.

More information on reserving a cabin is here.

ILDA Registration Cost

This is by far the most affordable ILDA Conference ever. Registration with ILDA for the Conference is just $149 for Members and their employees, and $298 for non-members. This gets you into official, non-public ILDA events such as the seminars and tabletop tradeshow, and first-night Welcome Cocktail Reception. Also, each registrant will receive a welcome gift basket from ILDA; it will include an official t-shirt, a laser pointer and other cool items.

There is no charge for anyone to attend the ILDA Awards Presentation, Lase-Off, and Lido Deck laser party. These are open to all Carnival Imagination passengers.
ILDA registrants may bring their traveling companion(s) to the first-night Welcome Cocktail Reception.
Conference registration is separate from the cruise line's cabin fees, port charges and other fees. In other words, the Conference registration fee of $149 for Members ($298 for non-members) is paid directly to ILDA and not to Carnival.

Sponsorships

In addition to the host, LaserNet, we are pleased to have other sponsors who help support ILDA and the Conference. Their names are listed in the logo at the top of this page, as well as on the Hosting/Sponsorship page.

Tabletop tradeshow

There will be a tabletop-type tradeshow. Because of space limitations, we cannot do a booth-type trade show. there is a fee of $99 per table for any Member wishing to exhibit their product or service. Details are here.

Important notes

YOU WILL NEED TO PLAN AHEAD. Rooms will not be available at the last minute. Already, similar rooms have completely sold out on other sailings in August and September. Therefore, attendees should make reservations and plans early. ILDA is holding some rooms; however, we think you should plan to reserve your rooms early in 2008.

A note about the September date

One reason for choosing the September date is that the pricing is significantly lower (about 1/3) compared with any other dates available to us. We looked at March-August, but the price is about 50% more! Also, we tried to get a date that would not conflict with the PLASA show in the U.K. (7-10 Sept.) but all other sailings were sold out of our room needs.

Summary

This is going to be an ILDA Conference to remember! It is a vacation and a conference together, so plan on bringing your family. With four days at sea, we will have enough time for a leisurely ILDA schedule that allows plenty of time for fun, on and off the ship.

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Most-used website pages

Home page
What's new with ILDA (latest news)
----------------------------
Become a Member (for non-members)
Become Accredited (for laser show companies)
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For laser show clients

Find a laser display company:
      Directory of ILDA Accredited Professionals
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-----------------------------
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The ILDA Conference

Nov 2013, Aalen, Germany
Future conferences

Previous conferences:
     2012 Nov., San Antonio, Texas
     -----------------------------
     2011 Nov., Moscow
          Post-conference report
     Pre-conference information:
          Overview, registration, attendees
     -----------------------------
    2010 Sept., cruise #2 from Miami
          Tim Walsh's diary
         Attendees
          Pre-conference information:
               Overview and registration
               Reservations and travel
     -----------------------------
      2009 June, Amsterdam
          Overview and photos
          Technology Workshop
           Pre-conference information:
               ILDA Member registration
               Non-member registration
     -----------------------------
     2008 Sept., cruise from Miami
            Post-conference report
            Tim Walsh's diary
            Attendees
            Pre-conference information:
                Overview
                Photo preview
                Reservations and getting there
                Conference registration
                Sponsorship opportunities
                Logo contest (deadline 6/30)
     -----------------------------
     2007 March, Heshan, China:
           About the 2007 Conference
           List of attendees
      2006 March, Rimini, Italy
      List of past conferences

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2013 Award winners
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The Laserist magazine