We may need to convert this into a conference topic not an otter one. One thing that really stands out at the conferences I've attended (all of them)is that although most of us are just pond owners who want to learn the most we can, there are always a number of very well educated, very well respected experts. I believe that at conference three, the first at Big Cedar, there were at least seven PhD doctors who spoke. This is staggering. Where else in the world can you attend a meeting where 7 of the smartest, best educated, pond experts are there; making presentations and being available for one on one questions. Of course, there are also tons of experts who don't have a doctors degree in this, but they are true experts and willingly share their knowledge. Just plain guys and true renown experts all in the same room and all eager to share. Connie and i have had a chance to travel and do some really neat things in the past year or two, but if i had to give them all up but one, I'd keep the conference.
