I wasn't sure what to expect when I attended my first symposium in Baton Rouge. However, I was certainly very pleasantly surprised from the minute that I met Janice at the Registration Desk. The good news - although the symposium ended, the camaraderie, sharing of information, and new friendships have never ended.
I'll take a bit of a different tact at this point. Back in my flying days in the Marine Corps, we always said, "If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right!!" I've attached the agenda from the 2019 symposium in Richardson, TX The Board of Directors and event planning team work hard to make the entire time at the symposium professionally rewarding and enjoyable. There's an excellent balance between scheduled meetings, presentations, etc. and your "free time".
As one example, the speakers are always engaging and share very interesting information with us. Last year one of our guest speakers was Texas Ranger Ralph Wadsworth (Retired). If I am correct, Ralph was a Texas DPS state trooper in November 1963 and drove one of the cars in the motorcade. He later became a Texas Ranger. His comments on his professional experiences and the entire presentation itself was very outstanding! I believe that it was later that day when several members drove down to Waco, TX to visit the Texas Ranger Museum.
As a "Bean Counter Extraordinaire", I have always been impressed with just how much is packed in to the symposium activities for just the $200.00 registration fee. The event planners also negotiate an excellent room rate, parking, and meal discounts for us.
The wives of the members are also "Go Getters" when it comes to having great symposium experiences. I never thought that I'd be making a lap around the race track at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, or learning that the best method for NASCAR Drivers to get to-from the race track is by helicopter??!! Who knew? Last year it was over to Fort Worth to the stockyards, lunch at Billy Bob's, and then watch a very (very) small cattle drive!
Seeking new S&WCA members has been an initiative that has been in the planning stages for several years. The "Big Gorilla" and the Moderators have been working hard for years to have this forum become an outstanding site that attracts and retains members who are truly interested in sharing their knowledge and experiences, and mentoring others who are newer and are on their way. I've been here since 2011 and I'm still a "Newbie"!
With virtually no exceptions, new members provide existing members with more knowledge about the firearms that we already have, or plan to buy in the future. New members share their solutions to problems, repairs, reloading (those who "Roll Their Own"), people in their network who can do the best work for repairs, engraving, etc.
If you have any questions whatsoever or if you are interested in becoming a member, send me a Private Message (PM) or e-mail. If I can't answer your questions, we have members who can!!
Bill
