Thanks for posting this Whil. I'm going to create a news item for the UT login page as well. Is there a place on your website that I can link to that has all this info?

>Hi folks,
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>The Great Lakes Great Database Workshop 2001 is scheduled for October 27-31 at the Hyatt-Regency in downtown Milwaukee. I’m actively looking for speakers to present papers on various aspects of software development with Visual FoxPro and related areas.
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>Description:
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>Held every so often since 1994, GLGDW has averaged 311 attendees per conference. GLGDW 2001 will feature four simultaneous sessions from 8:30 am Sunday, 10/28 through noon Wednesday, 10/31. This year, GLGDW will be identifying topics in three tracks:
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>Core Visual FoxPro Development: This track will focus on solid, practical, best-of-breed programming techniques and strategies. Visual FoxPro 6.0 and 7.0 will be the primary focus of these sessions, but prior versions can be addressed in specific situations.
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>Using What’s New in Visual FoxPro 7.0: Visual FoxPro 7.0 has been demoed to death for the last year or two, so we don’t need any more flash and sizzle presentations. If you have practical, in the field experience with specific features of Visual FoxPro 7.0, here is the place to showcase them.
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>Visual FoxPro Connectivity: Rare is the VFP application that doesn’t communicate with other components or pieces of the world. Client-Server, Automation, Web programming, and n-tier and component-based development topics are all fair game for this track.
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>GLGDW has always been known for practical, real-world sessions – not a lot of marketing hype or theoretical blarney. Remember that.
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>Check out the GLGDW link at www.hentzenwerke.com for some preliminary (subject to change) info.
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>If you’d like to submit proposals, here’s what’s required of a speaker:
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>0. Present proposals for topics to speak on and a preliminary bio by midnight, Thursday, May 10.
>1. Present abstracts for 2 or 3 mutually agreed-upon topics within one week after acceptance (late-May.)
>2. Provide a final biography and a web-displayable picture along with your topic abstracts.
>3. Provide a white paper, accompanying slides, and relevant source code, for each topic by late September (exact date to be announced later.)
>4. Present sessions, twice for each topic, during the conference.
>5. Participate in a soon-to-be-announced promotional event of a non-onerous nature <s> for the conference (costs – if any - to be borne by GLGDW.)
>6. Think really hard about participating in the GLGDW speaker costume contest on Wednesday, 10/31. (Attendees will have a separate costume contest.)
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>If you can’t meet these requirements, please do not even think about submitting proposals. If you fail to meet any of these requirements after agreeing to do so, you may be replaced and you will not be asked back. This sounds harsh, but remember that attendees pay to see you speak and receive your materials - if you don't deliver on your promises, you're not just making my life tough, but you're screwing them - the customer.
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>For each topic you’d like to present:
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>1. Title
>2. Abstract (100-200 words – sell the audience - and me - on why they want to attend this session)
>3. Skill level or other information so that the attendees can determine if they possess the appropriate expertise for the topic.
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>In return:
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>GLGDW will pay for a private room at the Hyatt for four nights - from Saturday night, 10/27 to Tuesday night, 10/31, and economy airfare from your home city to Milwaukee – and back, too! (You’ll make arrangements with our travel agency.)
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>Selection Process:
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>This invitation has been sent out to (1) most of last year’s speakers, (2) others who have indicated an interest in speaking at an upcoming GLGDW, (3) individuals who I would like to consider speaking at GLGDW, and is being posted on various Fox electronic forums. That said, there are only about 20 slots available. So what’s the decision making process?
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>Well, those who have spoken in prior years, who have received satisfactory evaluations, and who have fulfilled their obligations generally get first dibs. But there are always a few openings – not everyone gets invited back, and some speakers can’t make it even though they’d like to.
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>And GLGDW has long been known for bringing new talent into the community.
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>So, then it comes down to a large group fighting for a small group of openings. Basically, it comes down to the best proposals – topics that promise useful information that attendees can use right away when they get back. GLGDW has long been known for a lack of marketing pitches – we’re not going to change that! We want to make sure every attendees gets well more than their money’s worth at GLGDW.
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>That said, there are always more good proposals than open slots. And… that’s life – and life isn’t fair. Do the best you can, and good luck!
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>Remember, the deadline to present proposals for topics to speak on and a preliminary bio is midnight, Thursday, May 10.
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>Questions - please email me privately for a more timely response.
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>Hope to hear from some of you soon!
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>Whil