[From Kenny Kitzke (2004.08.19)]
I had volunteered to be on the Conference Site Committee and to look into the possibilities in Pittsburgh.
My original idea, for perhaps a change of pace, was to hold the conference at one of the ski resorts about an hour’s + drive from Pittsburgh. A rural site with natural beauty and away from the hustle and bustle of the city itself. They have nice conference centers and I supposed that in the summer we could get a really inexpensive booking.
I have talked with the two major resorts and was disappointed in two aspects. The prices were not low. They are more resort-like commercial prices and well above what we are used to spending. I think they have added summer activities such as water slides, sports, etc., to make it a summer vacation attraction. Plus, with reduced summer occupancy rates, the cafeterias which are open in the winter are not in the summer. So, you would have to go to restaurants in the resorts or down the road for meals. I think that nixes that idea.
Instead, I began investigating in-city colleges. This gives the dorm-type accommodations (without phones, TVs or private bathrooms) and the cafeterias we are more acquainted with at far more reasonable prices.
The first school I contacted was Duquesne University. There was a special reason for this. I was aware from a friend who is a therapist that DU was one (perhaps the only one) of the few USA schools who taught the “phenomenology” theory of psychology (neither behaviorism nor cognitive psychology) and, from my description of PCT, this friend saw some similarities in the theories.
Second, the former Dean of the Business School was my mentor in Quality Management and I thought that might provide some leverage in costs or conveniences. He was also high in the US Department of Commerce and might be interested in some of our Economics perspectives.
This led me to another thought that I would like some feedback on. Why not see if the Psychology Department would host our CSG Conference? It became clear that this would save money. We could get a reduced room rate and probably a premium conference meeting room/lecture hall for free with their involvement.
But, is this wise? Has the CSG ever done this before? Would we like some new attendees (professors or students) who may be politely hostile to PCT, preferring their phenomenology theory? I would insist this still be primarily a PCT based conference with no more than one or two presenters from the DU Psychology Department, if any at all. Perhaps they would just like to hear a different POV and offer critique?
So, I talked with a Professor Walsh, and sent him some information about the CSG and our Conference format. He plans to present it to his “Committee” for DU hosted/sponsored conferences on September 8. Hopefully, we can hone in on the possibility and its financial and conceptual consequences shortly after that.
Similarly, if any of you have concerns or like this approach, your feedback would be most helpful to me. If you have not ever been to Pittsburgh you will probably be pleasantly surprised. It is more environmentally clean than LA or Denver. It has rivers and hills right downtown with cable cars like San Fran. There is some nice cultural stuff as Pittsburgh was the third largest Fortune 500 HQ city when I moved here in the 1960s (not so any more). Also, the new Pirates stadium is as good as they get and will host the All-star game in a couple of years. Perhaps we can get a group together to attend an afternoon game?
Well, that is where I stand. I will be happy to welcome you all to my “burg” and host the 2005 CSG Conference. OTOH, I, naturally would be more interested in heading for Philadelphia. Oh, these darn conflicts in reference perceptions!