Article by Dave Belt, as published in the Summer 2008 issue of Alpacas Magazine, the journal of AOBA, USA. [more] (Please note download is 3mb in size) CONFERENCE SUCCESS!
After 18 months of planning, organization and preparation the World Alpaca Conference has been and gone.
The events in the week preceding the actual conference were attended by many of our overseas visitors and Australians and many friendships were made. My thanks to those who welcomed us to their studs - Paul Cramley and Linda Davies, Peter and Narelle Tulip, Ian and Harriet Davison, Glenda and Daryl Salmon. The studs were beautifully prepared with easy access for people to inspect the animals and the hospitality was boundless. The visits to the vineyards added a lighthearted touch and lunch at the White Horse Inn at Berrima as well as a visit to The Alpaca Centre proved to be very popular. Everyone who visited the Alpaca Centre received a 'goodie' bag. The day of the Luncheon Harbour Cruise was a typically beautiful autumn day in Sydney. The food was excellent, scenery beautiful and everyone had a relaxing and happy day.
Our venue "Dockside" was packed to the rafters for the three days of the Conference. The staff are young, enthusiastic, friendly and very professional. The whole event ran very smoothly and the food was first class and plentiful.
The speakers kept everyone enthralled as they gave presentations on a diversity of topics, covering everything from the origins of the alpaca to what the future holds in breeding technology. Thank you to all of them for giving of their time.
Thank you to the staff at the AAA office, to the team who ran with the International Fleece Show and made it the huge success it was, to our sponsors who made World Alpaca Conference possible, to our fleece judges who spent three long days at their task, to the donors of stud male services for the internet auction and to the donors of the items for the Silent Auction and the auction items on Saturday night, to the organizers of the Gala Fashion Parade and, last but by no means least, The Descendance Dance Group who gave us an insight into their culture.
To those of you who attended the conference, thank you. It was wonderful to see the friendships formed between nations, to feel the energy, camaraderie and enthusiasm that was generated by this gathering of nations who came together to share in the world of alpacas.
We can now look forward to the 2nd World Alpaca Conference 2009, to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Heather VickeryConvenor
Media release - World-first conference puts alpacas on the map
International Fleece Show
Results of the International Fleece Show, held in conjunction with the World Alpaca Conference. [more]