A Thought/Idea

[Mrs Sabre]

Has anyone ever gave thought to a national Lap-Band convention? Maybe this already exists, and I'm just not aware of it?

Maybe we could rope Lap-Band doctors and Inamed into sponsoring the event?

We could have seminars on all things lap-band, i.e. insurance, tests, doctors, hospitals, financing, before/after care, vitamins, protein drinks/supplements, eating with the band, head-hunger/ emotional eating, receipes, and exercise?

[Kat817]

I like the idea---but I would have absolutely no idea of how to begin something of that sort. Maybe someone else will tho!!! Good idea!
Kat

[lil'bitty]

Hi, I have some event planning in my background. I would first wonder if there is an Association of LapBand Patients?? If so that would be a good start. Members typically pay dues and this is source of income for the association. I would think that patients and doctors would be members. Sponors and donations are another source. Sponsors could be drug/vitamin companies, the company that manufactures the band and here is who you could get to help fund a convention by selling tradeshow booths, which rent from $100's-$1,000's of dollars depending on the size of the event. With all that said, is their an association that anyone is aware of?? I like this idea - LOTS of WORK though. Anyone on board to help do some research?? Terri :p

[Tricia K.]

ObesityHelp.com just held something like this in Lexington, KY in late October. However, I believe it covered all WLS, not just the lap band.

http://obesityhelp.com/events/october2006_lexington.html

[doglover]

I am new to this site, but I think this would be a great idea. Let me know if I can help.

[Mrs Sabre]

Tricia K, I think our very own KimG may have gone to the Obesity Help event? Kim, I hope you stumble over this and let us know if it was all WLS, not just the band.

[PhotoNut]

I know of an annual event that takes place in Seattle each year. It's much like what you are talking about. Several doctors from Mexico and some from the states are invited as speakers. There are also plastic surgeons that attend. I believe that the group is mostly backed by the Mexican doctors. Last year, I heard some negative responses about the event but never having attended I dont feel qualified to make any comments.

This is the kind of thing we had planned for the expansion of b2g into a well-rounded form of support for bandsters. Any of you interested in putting in the time and effort of planning such an event, please PM me and we will see what we can get started on. I think we should aim for sometime next summer and we need to find a central location that is fairly inexpensive to fly to (major airline hub) as we would most likely have to pay for our speakers flights and accomodations. We will be a non-profit organization by then, so some donations could possibly be applied to this kind of project.

Hmm.. It will take lots and lots of planning but it sounds fun! It's great to see so many who would be interested. I look forward to hearing from you!

[dawg]

I am sure that we could organize such an event. We've got a lot of talented individuals on this site and the only factor that makes this kind of thing a success is enthusiasm and determination.

Once we have establish the non-profit status and fully defined our mission statements I'll table this for the board to consider.

Great idea :)

[Mrs Sabre]

So, is there a board? ... or there's going to be a board once non-profit status is established? I'm not knowledgeable on how these things work?

I don't know that I have much in the line of talent, but I'm willing to help.

[PhotoNut]

Yes there is a Board of Directors. So far on the board are Dawg (Executive Director of b2g), LindaV and her husband David, and myself. We have held our first board meeting which we posted about in the b2g Cafe. Here's the link to that thread:

http://band2gether.net/showthread.php?t=746

[lil'bitty]

Sounds like the ball may begin to roll. This could be big. Let me know what I can do to help. Let's put the American Institute for Gastric Banding in our back pocket. We can pull them out later to perhaps help colaborate on a convention. I totally forgot that's how I found my Doc.

[dawg]

Once we're established there's going to be a ton of things to do so we'll definately be asking people to help out. One of our first things to establish is which organizations we are open to working with.

There's a whole bunch of legal mumbo-jumbo to work through so keep an eye out for announcements :)

[Goannabanda]

I think there was a banding convention here in Canberra, Australia sometime last (??) year. I'll ask around the Aussies and see what I can find out for you about who / how /when it is held etc.

[Dr.A]

MAke sure you contact INamed and other band makers for financial support and perks! Also food manufactures that help us bandsters especially the high protein drink manufacturers.

[503-250]

I'd bet we could convince a few of the larger chain gyms and water companies to donate or appear as well.

BTW...side note...I'm an audio and video technician and I am very familiar with large venue presentations, if I can be of any assistance feel free to call on me.

[Diva]

I'm an experienced event planner and would be happy to help with the venue, discount hotel rooms, airlines and such. I can get authors and possibly NEMC docs.

[Tricia K.]

I'm an experienced attendee!! LOL :D

[Diva]

One word...Vegas

There are always hot (no pun intended) deals to Vegas from almost anywhere.

[Kat817]

I was just invited to Seattle to a band get together that is called "Seattle Splash". She says it is pretty big.

"It's called the Seattle Splash and I hear it's a wonderful, inspiring (tons of bandsters from all over the place, speakers, dinner/dance, exercise sessions, etc)......it's the week-end of Feb 16th thru the 18th. Info is on a Yahoo group - (SeattleSplash). "

Not sure if any of this would interest you guys, but it might get you in contact with a large group of already interested people.
Just thought I would share....will be watching for updates on your get together!!!
Kat

[Kim G]

Tricia K, I think our very own KimG may have gone to the Obesity Help event? Kim, I hope you stumble over this and let us know if it was all WLS, not just the band.

I guess better late then never. :nod:

Yes I went to the OH event it was great...Not a big fan of the web site but the event was great. I was actually suprised at how many lap-band seminars, or classes they help. But to answer your question it was for all WLS. But I would love too see an Lap-band event...well you would want to include nutrition, Psych, fitness, etc....What they do is in each city they go they get a Surgeon to sponser the event and then they have break out sessions. In KY they had 5 or 6 different rooms set up and there was a different topic in each room. It was great the hard part was deceided which one to do. It was great meeting people there and to my surprise there were a few banders there.

I would be happy to help anyway I can.... Ok now I will go and finish read this thread. hehe

[Lovemylpband]

I represent a local magaine in the Charlotte NC area. I have a lot of contacts here. So I am sure I can help get us hotels and a location.

Has anyone called Inamed to see how they would support this?
How do we spread the word about it.
I would think we would need some type of National advertising for at least 4-6 months before hand.

I would be happy to contact Inamed.

I also think that we need to invite the medical community. So many Dr.s and nurses say they know about the band, but then they try to subscribe medication that has something in it that we can't take!!!! So they really need to know what the band is all about instead of acting like they do!