Conference Descriptions: 2000-2009
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
36
|
Chicago, Illinois
|
2000
|
Jeanne Bishop
|
Bob Bonadurer
|
Spitz Lecturer: James Manning
|
Attendance: 138 + 10 vendors
|
Dates: October 11 - 14, 2000 | 2000 Group Photo |
The first planetarium in the western hemisphere opened in 1930 as a gift to the City of Chicago by Sears and Roebuck executive Max Adler. The entire facility has recently undergone an extensive renovation and expansion and we were fortunate to have our 2000 conference at this historic facility. |
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
37
|
Richmond, Kentucky
(with SEPA)
|
2001
|
Jeanne Bishop
|
Bob Bonadurer
|
Spitz Lecturer: John Stoke
|
Attendance: 170
|
Dates: June 26 - 30, 2001 | 2001 Group Photo |
It was off to Richmond, Kentucky June 26-30 for a joint conference with the Southeastern Planetarium Association (SEPA) hosted by Jack Fletcher. Not only was this conference different for GLPA delegates because of holding it in June, but it was longer, beginning on Tuesday evening and going until midday on Saturday. |
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
38
|
Menasha, Wisconsin
|
2002
|
Gary Sampson |
Bob Bonadurer
|
Spitz Lecturer: Dale Smith
|
Attendance: 110
|
Dates: October 23 - 26, 2002 | 2002 Group Photo |
For the 38th GLPA conference, we were off to Wisconsin for only the second time in 35 years. The Park Plaza Valley Inn and the Barlow Planetarium were our headquarters. |
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
39
|
Cleveland, Ohio
|
2003
|
Gary Sampson
|
Bob Bonadurer
|
Spitz Lecturer: Rob Landis
|
Attendance: 113 + 22 vendors
|
Dates: October 22 - 25, 2003 | 2003 Group Photo |
Our Cleveland conference began immediately with a thought-provoking talk by Br. Guy Consolmagno of the Vatican Observatory as he spoke about “God Under the Dome.” His main message was that there is no inherent conflict, and much commonality, between science and religion. He indicated, “How better to get to know the Creator than by studying the things that have been created?” The talk was followed by a dessert reception as delegates renewed their acquaintances after yet another year. |
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
40
|
Detroit, Michigan
|
2004
|
Joe Derocher
|
Mary Schindewolf
|
Spitz Lecturer: April Whitt
|
Attendance: 113 + 34 vendors
|
Dates: October 20 - 23, 2004 | 2004 Group Photo |
A busy conference awaited us for our 40th annual get together in Detroit with a large number of scheduled papers, workshops, and vendor demonstrations. |
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
41
|
Grand Rapids, Michigan
|
2005
|
Joe Derocher
|
David Hurd
|
Spitz Lecturer: Dave DeBruyn
|
Attendance: 119 + 25 vendors + 4 speakers/guests
|
Dates: October 19 - 22, 2005 | 2005 Group Photo |
Once again we met at the Chaffee Planetarium in Grand Rapids on a major anniversary of GLPA. This time the 40th anniversary and 41st annual conference. Delegates were fortunate that three founding “fathers” of the organization were in attendance to offer some historical perspective. |
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
42
|
Merrillville, Indiana
|
2006
|
Bob Bonadurer
|
David Hurd
|
Spitz Lecturer: Gene Zajac
|
Attendance: 121 + 19 vendors + 6 speakers/guests
|
Dates: October 25 - 28, 2006 | 2006 Group Photo |
In 2006 we were back to Merrillville to see what Greg and Barb had been up to. We slept at the Lee’s Inn, but the rest of the time we remained at Pierce Middle School. |
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
43
|
Wheeling, West Virginia
(with MAPS and SEPA)
|
2007
|
Bob Bonadurer
|
David Hurd
|
Spitz Lecturer: Jim Sweitzer
|
Attendance: 247 + 47 vendors + 4 speakers/guests
|
Dates: October 9 - 13, 2007 | 2007 Group Photo |
This was the Triple Conjunction Conference where GLPA, SEPA and MAPS were in a rare conjunction in Wheeling, West Virginia. It also meant a lot of delegates! |
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
44
|
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
|
2008
|
Cheri Adams
|
David Hurd
|
Spitz Lecturer: Dan Francetic
|
Attendance: 102 + 32 vendors + 3 speakers/guests
|
Dates: October 29 - November 1, 2008 | 2008 Group Photo |
We’re back to the city of suds! Upon arrival we were immediately whisked by bus to a great opening reception at the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium. After eating our fill we spent the evening in the planetarium being amazed by vendor demonstrations. |
NO.
|
LOCATION
|
YEAR
|
PRESIDENT
|
SECRETARY/TREASURER
|
45
|
Bay City, Michigan
|
2009
|
Cheri Adams
|
David Hurd
|
Spitz Lecturer: Ken Miller
|
Attendance: 106 + 38 vendors + 5 speakers/guests
|
Dates: October 21 - 24, 2009 | 2009 Group Photo |
The Bay City conference was certainly one of convenience. The Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center is situated right across the street from the Delta College Planetarium. Everything was either at the hotel or the planetarium, so delegates had a relaxed time this year with access to their rooms always available. |