The last time we were in Seattle (1998), a company with the funny name Google was founded, a young singer
called Britney Spears made her debut, and the film Titanic won 11 Oscars.
Yeah, it's been a while...
In model making, Rhino V.1 was released, the APMM underwent a reorganization, and the APMM's newsletter "The Leading Edge" was published soon after. Technologically speaking, our profession was going through major advancements, but the need for traditional skills was as strong as ever. We gathered in Seattle at the Madison Renaissance Hotel from July 24 - 28, 1998 and toured Nike in Portland, Boeing, and Modelwerks. If you were there, you might still have the t-shirt somewhere in your closet.
Things have changed in the last 20+ years, but the need for model makers to gather, recharge, re-calibrate, and reunite is just as important now as it was then.
The octopus symbolizes flexibility, creativity, and intelligence. It is also an unofficial mascot of the coastal city of Seattle. Model makers, like octopuses (yes, that's the plural!), employ a wide range of abilities, sheer ingenuity, and multitasking skills. What better way to commemorate our gathering in Seattle than with a clever octopus/multitasking theme (which will also be conceptualized on our commemorative Seattle 2020 t-shirt!). Stay tuned for more on our theme!
Located north of downtown, the University Inn is near the University of Washington campus, and just 15 minutes drive to the iconic Space Needle. Our special $139/night rate includes luxurious accommodations in a casual and fun setting. Included is a complimentary Continental breakfast, room amenities like mini-fridge and coffee maker, and an afternoon coffee reception with the University Inn's signature pineapple cupcakes.
Reserve your room by visiting the hotel reservations page and use the online booking code: APMM2020 or by calling 866-866-7977 or emailing [email protected].
The University of Washington's Alder Hall is a short walk (0.3 mi) from our host hotel. You can also arrange in advance for a ride from the hotel shuttle. Both locations are also on the University of Washington bus route.
We will have the following activities at Alder Hall:
- Workshops - Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM
- Keynote Lunch - Saturday 12 noon
- Industry Expo/Vendor Reception - Saturday 3 PM to 6 PM
- Workshops - Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM
- Featured Member Lunch - Sunday 12 noon
- General Members Meeting - Sunday 3 PM to 4:30 PM
REGISTRATION
To assist with budgeting and planning, we have a variety of registration options. Early registration will begin this summer and run through October 31, 2019, offering a savings of $50 to those who register in advance of our event.
Register online (coming soon!!!), or call 315-750-0803 for special arrangements, and scholarship or sliding scale options. We also have a split payment plan to make your training and travel goals attainable. Let us know how we can help get you to Conference 2020!
To help us develop the kind of program that will benefit you the most, we need to hear from you what topics are most important to you. To suggest a topic or idea, simply send a message to [email protected]. Our workshop topics often fit the theme of the Conference but are by no means limited to it.
If you're interested in presenting a workshop, we will compensate you with a $100 credit on your registration rate for your participation or a crisp $100 bill. Give us an idea of what you'd like to present and share with your colleagues!
TOURS
Being able to tour local model shops, other custom-manufacturing workplaces, relevant educational facilities and even the occasional makerspace is a huge bonus of having our conferences in different locations each time. Every different place we visit has the potential to teach us a valuable skill or introduce us to a new tool or material. Partnerships can even grow out of a random tour encounter.
Many of the places we visit have intellectual-property concerns for themselves or their clients. Some of our locations won’t allow participants from a rival organization to tour there. This is unfortunate but we have to respect that. To assure our generous hosts that we are visiting to learn about techniques and not their company secrets, we may ask our tour participants to sign an NDA, and to refrain from looking or photographing where they’re asked not to.
Seeing new ways to do things in the company of other model makers enriches the touring experience tremendously! Someone in your group may ask a critical question you didn’t think of. The only reason conference tours are ‘add-ons’ is so that we can offer a wider variety of them, hopefully at least one for every interest!
Be sure to join us first thing Friday and plan to stay through the day on Monday to get in on the tours! You won't regret joining 50 or so of your colleagues on a luxurious motor coach visiting places that will enrich, enthrall or energize you. The price even includes a sumptuous lunch – most likely at a popular local restaurant!
EVENT SCHEDULE
We pack so much learning, conversation and connection into four days that you'll be amazed at the mix of activities that the APMM Conferences include! We'll soon post a detailed agenda so you can plan your time accordingly.
INDUSTRY EXPO/ VENDORS
You'll meet vendors who supply the materials, equipment and technology that model makers use every day - in a casual and no-pressure setting. Browse, make contacts, and come away with strategic partners and the latest in technical know-how. Vendors will display their products and services throughout the Conference, but they'll participate in the Industry Expo and Reception on Saturday, March 14th from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. This event is open to anyone from the local model making community.
STUDENT MODEL MAKING COMPETITION (SMMC)
Our biennial competition is the best way for up-and-coming model makers to show their skills and talents. Not only do they gain tremendous acclaim and recognition, but there are cash prizes! Come for the exposure and you might go away with a prize... or a job - which would be the best prize of all, right? Any student or recent graduate (within 18 months of leaving school) can submit a model for the competition.
Sponsorship opportunities, like model making projects, come in all shapes, sizes... and budgets! Check out our Conference 2020 Sponsors to date and consider helping us out with one of our events or activities. Trust us, there's an option for every price point! While we're all about learning, we know that all work and no play make for dull Conferences, so let's get some fun activities to round out our gathering.
Contact [email protected] if you have questions about our event that have not been answered here.
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