New Member Orientation

Susan Rogers & Ken Higa playfully pose while welcoming new members to the ice cream social of the year!

Closing of the Idea Marketplace

I got the chance to help Martha with breakdown of the Idea Marketplace last night. It was nice to have one last chance to thank our exhibitors and supporters. Can't believe it coming to an end!

Little Slice of Home

Most everyone here in Portland has seen me carrying this around but I thought I would share it with those of you at home. Zoe drew me a sweet picture and it is the front cover of the binder I am carrying around. Most of my regional volunteers have seen it and think it's adorable! Thanks to Zoe and Michelle for helping me feel connected.

Registrations Are Strong!

Registration: 1,260 at 9:45 a.m. pacific!

Terry Blogging

Terry has been making frequent updates to www.createthefuture.info.

HGTV "Design Star" Star

This is Dan, a waiter at the Portland City Grill and an architecture graduate from University of Oregon. He looks like Timothy Dalton. He said that he was on a show on HGTV called Design Star, which is a design competition. The season started Monday night.

Learn more about Dan at http://www.hgtv.com/dan-vickery/bio/index.html.

Beth's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Beth (third from right)! She is one of the fantastic temporary staff that are manning our registration desk! Thanks to Beth for spending her special day with us! Thanks to Teri for the special birthday hats!

Martha My Dear

Martha in SCUP office at the Oregon Convention Center. Terry and April in background.

Jolene and Kathy in the staff office (next to the food table... hum).

View of the Foucault from above. Sweet.

Teri & Jerry

Aren't they cute!! Here they are standing under the artwork in front of reg.

Portland State University

A view from Hilton Hotel toward Portland State University.

Registrations

Registration at 1:30 p.m. on Monday is 1,252!

Our AV Goonies

I thought I would share a photo of our crazy AV guys visiting the location where the movie "Goonies" was filmed! Those crazy guys, they fit in just great with SCUP staff!

Registrations

Good question Anne! Looks like we are up to 1238 right now!!

Opening Ceremony was PHENOMENAL

I don't know what I can say about last night's opening ceremony! I was nearly brought to tears. The "puppets" created from the beautiful mind of Michael Curry were magical! At one point of the the horses came over to me and bent it's head down. I had to reach out and pet it! It was completely natural even though I knew it wasn't a real horse. I looked around at our attendees and they were mesmerized. Everyone I spoke to at the reception afterwards was absolutely blown away by the experience. The only one that had something bad to say was Niraj...because he has no idea how they are going to follow it next year!!

I know Kathy will take none of the credit, rightfully giving most of it to our fantastic volunteers. However, I've watched her over the last few days putting out fires and dealing with unexpected additions to this event and it WOULD NOT have happened as well as it did without her. BRAVA KATHY!

Here are some pics taken from my phone, better ones are coming but I just couldn't wait to share. My only regret is that not all of us got to see it. Perhaps when we get the professional video we can have a screening party in the office. Bring your tissues!!

Registrations?

I am seeing registrations pour into my inbox . . . what is our latest count?

K U D O S to our heroes ! ! ! ! !

Guess who spent Sunday reaching out across 2,345 miles to help us out in Portland?

After a loooong and "somewhat harried" search for a workshop presenter's powerpoint, Michelle got wind of what was happening. She RAN to her car, . . . drove around A2. . . , found Kate. . . , who found her laptop . . . , on which the golden powerpoint resided.

We were amazed and SO grateful.


Michelle and Kate, you guys are phenomenal! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Newest SCUP staff member

. . . or is this Karen on little sleep??

Joyful Noise

When I saw Ken Higa at the SCUP Connection Reception on Saturday night he told me, "When I registered today I could hear you laughing but I just couldn't find you!" Good thing I was laughing and not screaming huh?!

view of the lobby area and meeting rooms A, B, and C.

view of the registration and idea marketplace entrance

View of idea marketplace being set up.

View of the registration area.

FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS

Boy are our members pouring out the info in these excellent focus groups. Be prepared to fill your ears and brains with the recordings from these!!

Our Teri

Here she is, Miss Registration!!! Our Teri, with a smile on her face as always, helping our attendees get registered, add tours, change name badges, and much, much more. Thanks Teri!

Staff Meeting on Sunday

Sunday morning at 6:15 a.m. we will have a mandatory staff meeting to discuss the logistics of our opening ceremony. Please attend and bring your smiles and enthusiasm!

Sculpture Just for Us!

There is an event going on in the Pioneer Square a block down from our hotel. It's called "Sand in the City" and for the weekend they truck in sand to this square in the middle of downtown. They say, "It's just like being at the beach without the water!" There are several sand sculptures, but we thought this one must have been created just for us!

Exciting Surprise

While Karen and I were driving around PSU's campus we stumbled across a rehearsal. Lo and behold at that exact time, our opening ceremony puppeteers were getting in a little rehearsal. What are the odds?! So, this is a sneak peek. Now I'm really excited to see the whole thing!!!!

Adventures in Driving

Karen and I were driving around Portland yesterday afternoon (in her wicked silver HHR!) doing some errands on the way to the Board meeting. While looking for a loading dock to deliver workshop materials it appears we drove onto campus...literally! Thankfully, before the cops showed up, I hoped out and walked the stuff over while Karen pulled on to a real street. You'll notice on the dash that we did have a map but some helpful gentlemen showed us a "shortcut!" Good times!

Board Dinner - Davis Street Tavern

It was hot. The food was good. The company was great. Friday night at Davis Street Tavern in Portland, OR.

Quote of the Day

"I have my radio, I know how to use it. I am no longer anyone's puppet!" Jolene Knapp after discovering she had a radio assigned to "Puppet 1."

There she is!

Where is Tanya?

Ann Arbor Updates

We're all in our places with bright shining faces!

Phones and Faxes

April's mantra of the day "be smarter than the phone line"

Thursday (7/16) Dinner - Old Town Pizza

All staff are invited to go to Old Town Pizza Thursday night for dinner. Meet at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Hilton outside of 921 restaurant. We'll go out doors of sixth street and head up to Pioneer Square. Old Town Pizza is two blocks off the Chinatown stop on Lightrail MAX. Join us in lobby or find us at the restaurant.

planes, trains, automobiles

After nearly getting my leg bit off by this salmon, I took a taxi to the Tacoma train station because my brother-in-law's car broke down. I paid an arm and a leg to get there, but enjoyed the ride to Portland!!

To those of you safe in A2, I hope you enjoy the Art Fair. We'll miss you out here AND you're with us in spirit!!!!

Taking the train from the airport

You'll get off the train on the North side of Pioneer Courthouse Square; walk across the square and up 6th Avenue to the hotel. The main tower / entry to the hotel is on the right side of 6th Avenue.

The OCC

The MLK entry is open, walk down MLK Boulevard to the entry across from Oregon Street. From there go down the escalator, turn right and head toward Hall A. our office is directly across from it.

Your Train Stop at the convention center!

Take the red line or blue line from Pioneer Courthouse Square eastbound to the convention center stop. Don't be confused by the yellow train with the route name of expo center!

Travel Tips for Staff

Hello all!

I can't believe it's already time to start thinking about travel to Portland! I just got back from Petoskey and haven't even unpacked yet!

I wanted to alert you to a couple of helpful web pages that you might want to look over before you leave:

Attendees Corner: This is gives you information on taking the light rail from the airport to the hotel. It only costs $2.30 and it takes you within 2 blocks of the hotel: www.scup.org/page/annualconf/44/attendees_corner

Talk Like a Portlander: Also on the attendees corner page. Just in case you missed it or need a refresher!

Hotel page: This gives information on the conference hotels: www.scup.org/page/annualconf/44/hotel

I look forward to hearing from those of you in Ann Arbor over the next week. Keep us in the loop on what is happening here at home!

SCUP-44 Materials Ship!

A SCUP-44 milestone passed quietly this morning. Bill, from Bekins trucking, picked up our 5 pallets of conference materials and will be spending the next week driving it to Portland. As you can see by the photo, Karen is quite excited.

Thanks to all the staff and students, led by our dear Tanya, for helping get this shipment out the door! Everyone was very supportive and jumped in whenever and wherever it was needed. Just as SCUPers always do!