...and we're in the thick of it.  :-)  I've consolidated all your feedback from last year and I'm using it in our planning meetings.  Good stuff, and again, thank you.

SO...we're starting to work on speakers.  I know some of you were interested in sharing your experiences (especially more advanced topics for wilderness tripping).

If you're interested (dd?) let's pow wow.  You can email me at darrenb at rutabaga period com.  Or call my cell at 608-576-2885.  Just don't do it at 1:00 AM. :D

Fall color is here!  Lordy, it's gorgeous!

Darren

canoelover wrote on Sep 27^th, 2012 at 10:45pm:

If you're interested (dd?) let's pow wow.

Sorry, I won't be making it this year.

dd

What are the dates for Canoecopia in 2013?
Jon

March 8-10, 2013

Wanna speak?

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I'd love to get some folks talking about specific skills needed to really enjoy an expedition rather than just tolerating it.

DB

canoelover -

Frankly, I teed up the idea of QJ approaching you guys about this several years ago.  The idea didn't "get legs" at the time.  Recently, other long-time QJers have again kicked around the idea of a QJ contingent approaching you about doing a presentation at CanoeCopia.  I confess to being a little indifferent about the prospect (for purely personal reasons) when I was approached by other QJer's just last month.  Now we have your invitation to generate a proposal for a presentation.  While DentonDoc being out-of-the-country significantly diminishes our talent pool, I have little doubt we could do a credible job [provided we can find a QJer who can cover the pics & the A-V dimensions of a good presentation that we know dd would nail for us].  There's a heckuva lot of experience here, including several who have contributed stories and editorials to the Boundary Waters Journal and other media.  We have experience with meeting the public (at least in written form) and I believe we can deliver on stage, too.

When you say "specific skills needed to really enjoy an expedition rather than just tolerating it", can you elaborate on any feedback you may have received what your customers WANT to hear (beyond the QJ comments you received last March) regarding canoe-tripping?  An hour presentation goes by very quickly, especially when you consider that at least 15 minutes should be allotted for Q&A and transitioning between sessions.  If we did this, we'd want to hit the target you may have identified.

The notion of a "panel discussion" has been teed up (similar to what the other website does for you).  Does the presentation of our rival board go over well with your customers?  Any feedback re: that style of presentation?  Are you OK with BOTH canoe-camping boards presenting (with hopefully differentiated goals)?

Maybe it happens in 2013; maybe it happens in 2014 but I believe QJ will eventually get involved.  Thanks for asking.

Any additional thoughts you might have will be appreciated and become grist for our thought mill!

Jimbo   8-)

Any chance Doug Chapman (Canadian Quetico Outfitters) could be persuaded to attend and talk about things he's seen over the years as an outfitter? I'm sure he must have tons of stories. Just a thought.

I've never been to Canoecopia (it's a long way from Ottawa) but I am considering going this year (combining it with a snowshoeing trip to Quetico).

The idea of a panel of outfitters telling stories could be instructive and pretty funny actuality.  I bet they seen a lot.

I'll put in a pitch for what I thought was best session I've seen  - I think 2 years ago - a fellow soloed from north to south in Q in late spring - lot of ice when he started - and lots of photos.  I'd watch that one again.

As session on photography would be interesting I think - and I'll say aimed at the point and shooters that want to improve - a lot of us I think.

Phoenix wrote on Sep 29^th, 2012 at 7:29pm:

Any chance Doug Chapman (Canadian Quetico Outfitters) could be persuaded to attend and talk about things he's seen over the years as an outfitter? I'm sure he must have tons of stories. Just a thought. I've never been to Canoecopia (it's a long way from Ottawa) but I am considering going this year (combining it with a snowshoeing trip to Quetico).

Well, here's what I know to tell you about this thought.  I can't really say that Doug would or wouldn't be all that interested in doing a presentation himself.  HOWEVER, only two weeks ago today he DID tell me that he would make the trip to CanoeCopia for the first time IF QuietJourney decided to do some sort of presentation.

I've even heard it rumored that he's considering opening up a booth there himself, though that specific subject never did come up while I was visiting with him.

Hey, the notion of getting an "outfitter panel" together sounds like a great idea to me!

Jimbo   8-)

I like the idea of an Outfitter Panel.  They could represent north, west, and south end of the QP.

Zup's on the west, Canadian Border Outfitters on the South, and Canadian Quetico Outfitters on the north come to mind, but of course there are many, many to choose from, and willingness to attend plays a big factor in this. 

prouboy

I'm working on a panel of QJ 'experienced veterans' to do a 'round-robin' for advanced trip planning. It may be a month or so before I have something to submit.

I'm interested in hearing from QJers who may want to participate. PM's would be best.

Thanks,  8-)

To explain a little more: The focus would be on fishing as primary objective for experienced travlers. Facets could include; lakes to fish (we would not be giving out fishing holes or specific lakes, but rather characteristics of productive lakes), fishing tackle selection, personalizing one's canoe, choosing compatible partners, packing methods to facilitate travel, etc.

As Jimbo mentioned, we would need someone gifted with powerpoint, A/V, to handle technical issues.

I don't know Darren's timeframe is for lining up speakers for 2013, but I've concluded that I don't have time to work on lining up a panel for 2013 until January, which is likely too late for 2013.

I could probably work on something for 2014 in January, 2013. If any of you would like to work on something for 2014, please PM me or post here.

Thanks,
OS  8-)

Ok, time for an update. I'm willing to facilitate organizing a few QJers who would be willing to participate in a panel discussion at Copia for 2014. 2013 is already full, so we need to start early if we want to get 'in the loop' for 2014.

If you have interest (not neccesarily committment at this point), please PM me and indicate what aspects of trip planning you feel competent to discuss. If I can assume that we will have lunch and/or dinner plans at Copia, we can discuss it there.

At this point, I am only gauging interest. My vision is that we can develop a 'Roundtable Discussion' of advanced planning for canoe trips where fishing is a high priority. I'm thinking we should have 3-6 QJers on the panel.

If you have ideas or want to contribute, post here.

Thanks! 8-) 8-)

Hey wait..... I thought the name was changed to Kayakcopia??   ;)

prouboy

Puckster wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2013 at 3:16am:

Hey wait..... I thought the name was changed to Kayakcopia??   ;) prouboy

Whatever floats your boat...
Back to topic.

What I have in mind is that there would be 4-6 QJ luminaries sitting around a table, each taking a 5-10 segment to explain one or more aspect(s) of trip planning/preparation that works for them.

Possible segments may include, but not limited to following:

1) minimal tackle and it's uses.
2) outfitting your canoe.
3) choosing partners.
4) selecting lakes/routes for successful fishing.
5) using technology in planning and on trip. (websites, GPS, mapping, fish finders, walkie-talkies, etc)
6) packing light for efficient travel.

There are many more. Feel free to make suggestions on what you would like to see covered.

Thanks, OS 8-)

Hey, this might be off-topic too (sorry O_S), but have you 'Copia guys seen this?  Tickets in advance...  Avoid the lines! 

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Disclaimer: I'm not going.

puckster

On topic. Thanks.

Here is my proposal. I am willing to plan a dinner for Friday evening for the purpose of discussing the possibilities of a few QJ luminaries making a 'roundtable discussion' of the factors that make a successful fishing based canoe trip. Snowdog and I are planning to be at Copia all 3 days and look forward to meeting with you. 8-)

If you are interested, or have ideas, please post here or PM me.

Thanks,
Rich

Once you get closer to the event, you might want to start a thread "Things I've learned on QJ", to collect everyone's best ideas. I doubt anyone at Canoecopia knows as much about your planned topic as the QJ Borg.

Suggestion for the panel (definitely in the "for what it's worth category"):

How about something like "Lessons learned from 225 years of paddling."  (the 225 -- or whatever the number is -- would be the collective number of years of canoeing represented by the panelists). 

The subject/title of this panel has to appeal to the average wilderness canoeist at the show.  I think the presentations should ideally provide light, funny stories that offer advice in a subtle way -- and supported with great pictures (flashed on a screen somewhere?).  Humor and humility are far more entertaining than a bunch of loosely-connected lectures. 

If done right, this could be an interesting panel that entertains and informs and is invited back in future years.  If done wrong, it could be misinterpreted as a bunch of boring, condescending, self-important codgers who think they know it all.  Of course no one on this website fits that description!  But I just add a caution that best intentions, without careful planning can sometimes be misinterpreted.

Good luck!

prouboy

Prouboy's comments are right on the money... especially the storytelling part.  That's how humans best assimilate & appreciate information... dating back to cave drawings & pictographs.

We need good photography & we need a few corresponding hard-hitting stories that deliver our message(s).

Jimbo 8-)

Prouboy & Jimbo, You're input is what I have in mind. I'm never into lectures, loosely connected or otherwise. I've already been working on the visual part, as we would use slides amd/or videos to illustrate 'talking points'. Humor and humility are always in order.

The parts I hope to 'flesh out' are what the 'talking points' will be, and enlisting those best qualified to make them.

Thanks for your insight!

If some would be interested in meeting over a Friday evening dinner to work on this, please let me know. 8-)

Thanks,
Rich

Snowdog and I are gonna plan for dinner on Friday at 7pm at Dickey's BBQ, located at Hwy 151 at I90 on north side of Madtown. We would welcome anyone who wants to join us. Please post here or PM me if you plan to join us, so I can know how many to reserve for.

Thanks,
Rich 8-)

Rich,

Count me in on Friday night at Dickey's. Can't get any better than talking canoeing over barbecue ... well maybe talking canoeing eating walleye.

See u there.

Mike

OS,

I'm planning on making it over there on Friday night, too, but still need to coordinate w/my Copia roommate re: timing & logistics (ie. I want to make sure he can get into our room at the Sheraton).  I suspect he may be joining us, as well but I'll allow him to confirm or not.

The whole Copia presentation thing is worth exploring but, like Wally13 says, it's always great to get-together for the tale-swapping!

Jimbo   8-)

OS
I will plan on joining the group. 
MagicPaddler   

Old Salt,
Friday night BBQ sounds good, what time frame?

Quentin

i hope to make it down there for a day or two. i am scheduled to work that weekend(fri-sun) but noone else has requested off yet, so im hoping ill be able to sneak out for at least a day. if i am able to get down there id definitely like to meet up with you guys

OS- You can count me in as well. Looking forward to the weekend!

ML

Looks like there will be 8-10 of us. If anyone else can come at last minute, just show up. Looking forward to seeing everyone! 8-)

Enjoy - drive safe - see you tomorrow.

We should move the gathering to the hockey game--Badgers playing St. Cloud State at the Coliseum this weekend!! WCHA title on the line  :thumbup  ;D

See you all this evening!

As a Gophers fan, that means I'll have to cheer for the Badgers?? Life is full of conundrums and moral dilemmas. ;D