MAPG - Retrospecitve and the Future

BRobbins629 · May 30, 2016

After 4 years of running the MAPG with a great team, the time has come for some fresh faces and probably a new venue. I can't thank enough the folks who helped make this possible – Bill Sampson who first suggested the idea, Fred and Tina Wissen, Philip and Carole Duffy, John Penberthy, Meg Turner, and this year Cody Walker. We tried and I think succeeded in providing a wide variety of demos, a good cross-section of vendors, fun contests, and good food. Not to mention giving away almost $10,000 in door prizes. To all those vendors and individuals who donated your generosity is greatly appreciated. The demonstrators who travelled at their own expense deserve a big applause. A special thanks to Richmond Woodcraft who donated the classrooms each year and without which it would have been nearly impossible to pull off. We need to keep stores like them around in this digital age.

When the team was planning the first MAPG, I thought it would be a success if we had 50 people come. The first year, there were more than 150 who saw at least part of it. Little did I know how far some people would travel just to meet a few other pen makers they only knew online. To put this in perspective, our local pen turning club attracts an average of 15 people every other month. The long distance travelers greatly outnumbered the locals. I hope to remain friends with those I met for a long time.

While this will be the last year for this team, I hope there is another group that will take this on. It doesn't have to be in Richmond – anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic region will work based on experience and it's probably a good idea to rotate the venue at least every few years. I (and I'm sure the other team members) will be happy to share our experience with anyone who wants to lead this, but realize that it does take a team. It's not hard, but there is a lot of planning in order to make it successful.
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mark james · May 30, 2016

Bruce, You and the rest of the MAPG team have a lot to be proud of. I was at the last two, and they were great meetings in all respects.

Having the opportunity to meet, talk and share ideas in person with those we are familiar with on line is something special.

Well done TEAM MAPG!!!

Curly · May 30, 2016

Bruce a big thank you from myself and Marla. We had a great time when we came and it was worth the day of flying each way to attend. You all deserve a big pat on the back for your selfless efforts to make the MAPG the great gathering it became. I hope we can come out to a future one organized by the next group.

campzeke · May 30, 2016

This year was my first MAPG and I cannot say how much I enjoyed it. To the team, You guys did an outstanding job. Thank You! To the vendors, well ... several of you stuck you hand in my pocket a little but that's OK, I knew that would happen. Thank you for attending and sharing your knowledge and offering the tools and materials to fuel our hobby and passion. To the other turners and friends I met, I look forward to seeing you again both here on the IAP and in person. To Jeff and the IAP team, A huge THANK YOU for all that you guys do to support this site and all that goes with it.

walshjp17 · May 30, 2016

Well done to everyone. Kudos for all your efforts over the past four years.

magpens · May 30, 2016

Although I never got to MAPG, I know how much the attendees enjoyed it every year.
For myself, I have enjoyed just hearing about the events, good times, and good friendships.

So I too thank you Bruce and the others who made it happen! May it continue !!

jdmacdo · May 30, 2016

To all the members of the MAPG team. We came last year from Iowa to see the great demos and vendors. If we could have swung the trip again this year, we would have been there. It was a great time and you ran a fantastic weekend of activities. I hope the next group does just as well, and we will travel to where we need to go next year.

Thanks for everything...

Mike Daugherty · May 30, 2016

MAPG

Bruce I missed last year but was glad I made it again this year. Your Team has done an excellent job in planning and providing a great event. I will be looking forward to next years, wherever that maybe.
Thanks for all the efforts that you and your Team put forth.
Maybe it will land in North Carolina some time.

Mike

Charlie_W · May 30, 2016

Bruce,
My Wifey and I have been able to attend all of the MAPG events!
We were hooked after the first. The efforts of yourself and the entire MAPG team have made for a top notch event each year!
The vendors, demonstrators, and speakers have been the cream of the crop! We always learn something while there as well as just getting together with other penturners.
Setting up MAPG and working with Woodcraft was an excellent choice.

Thank you and the entire team very much! Your efforts are appreciated.

Also, thanks to Jeff and the IAP for their support.

We anxiously look forward to MAPG 2017.....Wherever it is held!

low_48 · May 30, 2016

4 years must be the natural limit to running these things. At the original penturning event, MPG, Greg lasted that long, then 4 years for me as well.

penmaker56 · May 31, 2016

Bruce, as a vendor 3 out of 4 years, Betsy and I just want to thank you and the whole MAPG team for pulling off such a great series of events. It was great to put faces to names and to meet other pen makers and share knowledge across the tables. Whoever takes it over will have some very large shoes to fill.

mbroberg · May 31, 2016

I have attended all 4 MAPGs and have been impressed with each of them. The quality of demos and overall organization of the events clearly indicate that the planning team worked very hard, but very well with each other. The current MAPG team will be a tough act to follow. I hope someone steps up to keep the MAPG alive.

edicehouse · May 31, 2016

First off I want to thank the organizers for their tireless work in putting the event together.
Next I want to thank the demonstrators of sharing their knowledge and experience with us.
Next I want to thank Woodcraft for hosting the event.
Next I want to thank the venders for coming and offering many great items to see, buy, look at, etc.
Next I want to say, man this sucks... I have been to all 4, as many have, and always look forward to seeing friends. This year I was real busy with things going on so I only made it Friday night. However I got to bring my wife and both daughters, so that is a plus.

With working full time, trying to turn some pens, and work around the house, my hat is off to everyone involved with making such a great event happen for us.

Thank you all.

Herb G · Apr 29, 2017

Just to revive this thread a bit. Has anything been done on moving forward with another MAPG? I sure would love to attend one.
I'm sure there are others who would love to see another one take place.
Maybe somewhere in the Washington DC suburbs. In town would be a nightmare to plan for & accomplish.
Thanks for any info.

Charlie_W · Apr 29, 2017

Herb G said:
Just to revive this thread a bit. Has anything been done on moving forward with another MAPG? I sure would love to attend one.
I'm sure there are others who would love to see another one take place.
Maybe somewhere in the Washington DC suburbs. In town would be a nightmare to plan for & accomplish.
Thanks for any info.

I have missed not having MAPG this year. It has been a wonderful event for penturners to gather and learn new techniques from the demonstrators, see new products and just get together to visit.
I would think the location/venue would be the biggest hurdle....and the costs associated.
Having Woodcraft/Richmond allow us to use their space was key to the success of MAPG. I am sure a hotel venue would increase the costs but it would be convenient to have the lodging and event together.
Hopefully someone has some contacts and can point out a venue for the next MAPG.

MAPG - Retrospecitve and the Future

BRobbins629

Passed Away Dec 28, 2021

mark james

IAP Collection, Curator

Curly

Member

campzeke

Member

walshjp17

Member

magpens

Member

jdmacdo

Member

Mike Daugherty

Member

Charlie_W

Member

low_48

Member

penmaker56

Member

mbroberg

IAP Activities Manager, Emeritus

edicehouse

Member

Herb G

Member

Charlie_W

Member