Kevin Stube's blog

Finding a hotel this has been much more difficult than last year. Prices in Scotland are very high relative to other parts of the world and people seem to be less open to negotiate. In the past, we have been able to garner great discounts, but not here. We are hoping to work something out by this Friday that will be both the hotel and congress site. We are really looking to make the most of the culture in Scotland and also be able to impact the community in Glasgow.

Well, I have never been to France until now. This is one of the great things about volunteering for SGAC and SGC. It has opened up many opportunities to see the world. In the last four years, I have been able to go to Canada, Vienna, Japan, Spain, India, Scotland, and now France. It all started with attending the SGC in Vancouver in 2004. I met some great people and friends during that 10 days in Vancouver who I still talk to and work with all the time. This will be my last year as an organiser of SGC.

The SGAC projects are all online. This is a change from past years. In the past, SGC selected and ran its own projects. This year, all projects are SGAC, the most active ones will be the workgroups at SGC. This allows the SGC manager/staff to focus more on organising the congress and not overseeing the projects as in the past.

Well, after my week in Glasgow where I must have visited 20 hotels, its come down to just a few. There are three hotels I am working with and one hostel. The big worry is cost. Some people say SGAC and the SGC event will not be respected if we use a hostel. I had a long discussion with someone organising lodging for students and they had about $200 USD per day per student to spend.

Never underestimate the value of local people. While there is not a lot for the local people to do, they are a huge help. After visiting Glasgow and meeting Matteo and Nicolas in person, I have talked to them a bit more. They are great people and made me feel welcome in Glasgow (really the entire city did that too) and that makes me more comfortable having SGC here. They will be helping to find speakers, social activities, and a few other things.

Great to have them involved!

Not much of a day, have a 630 am flight out back to the US. Overall, this was a great trip to build relationships for SGAC as well as learn about where we will hold SGC this year. There are 3 or 4 hotels that are good options and two good locations to hold the congress so far.

Sorry I did not get to see the local students one more time after Sunday, but I am sure I will see them all in September.

Last day with the Local Organisers and the IAF members. We talked a bit about education and outreach opportunities at the IAC this year before a general wrap up.

After lunch, most left. I took the opportunity to go see two more hotels for SGC.

Another day with the IAF Secretariat and the IAC LOC. We talked about specific needs today and visited the sites for the IAC Fun night and one site for the Closing Dinner. We also went to Auchentoshan Distillery before dinner.

Changed hotels today, walked about 5 miles to do it as I wanted to see what it was like to "backpack" through the town. Could have taken bus, taxi, or subway, but this was the lowest cost method (free) and the most fun. Staying at the hotel where the IAC will be held. Its nice, but too expensive for SGC. Thank you to Suszanne of the LOC for helping arrange a discount on my room. We met today and discussed the IAC overall and had a tour of the SECC where the IAC will be held. Its a great facility and the exhibit will be great.

Not much today. Walked the town (its very safe), looked at a couple hotels, went to dinner with several locals for Nico's birthday.