Linda Dimitropoulos, Conference Operations Chair & David DesRoches, Conference Operations Associate Chair

Those who attended AAPOR’s 63rd annual conference in New Orleans in May 2008 were treated to a very full and exciting program of sessions and social events.  Although there was some rain and some spectacular thunderstorms, the weather overall was cooperative enough so that folks could stroll in and around the French Quarter and take in the sites.  When not in sessions, attendees happily crowded around dessert tables laden with strawberry shortcake, pecan pie and bread pudding, visited with the many exhibitors, mingled at receptions, and generally engaged in a wonderfully collegial event. 

Our receptions are always a great place to catch up with our AAPOR friends as well as to meet new members and make new friends.  The conference officially kicked off Wednesday night with the Dessert Reception that featured a strolling banjo player to get everyone into a New Orleans mood.  Following the late afternoon Plenary Session on Thursday we all came together in the fabulous Armstrong Ballroom to enjoy a reception to welcome our newest members and showcase our regional chapters.  On Saturday night, before the Annual Awards Banquet, we once again gathered for the traditional President’s Reception. All receptions featured a bit of live music this year to help support the musicians of the city known for its music.

Throughout the conference there were plenty of opportunities to relax and meet with friends and colleagues. One of the strongest traditions at the annual meeting is coming together for meals and this past year we once again came together for lunch on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and for dinner on Saturday night at the awards banquet.  Attendees had Thursday and Friday nights available to enjoy an evening out with a group of friends at one of the many fabulous restaurants in the area. 

The Exhibit Hall was a hub of activity. Attendees were able to meet early in the morning on Friday and Saturday in the exhibit hall to enjoy a continental breakfast or to catch their breath between sessions, chat about the presentations, and grab a cup of coffee. Following the success of serving dessert at the afternoon break in Anaheim, we decided to continue the practice for the afternoon refreshment breaks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. During the hour-long afternoon breaks attendees explored the poster presentations, visited with authors at the “Meet the Author” sessions, and did a little browsing at the book exhibit.  The afternoon refreshment break each day featured traditional New Orleans desserts such as pecan pie and bread pudding with bourbon sauce!      

Fun times at AAPOR are not, of course, limited to the confines of the conference hotel.  The Conference Operations team led a number of successful conference events.  23 golfers (or, at least, people playing golf) participated in the 2008 AAPOR Golf Outing, sponsored by Marketing Systems Group (MSG).  The outing, coordinated by Craig Hill,  was held at the Tournament Players Club Louisiana golf course in Gretna, LA, a challenging Pete Dye-designed layout that provided a stern test of playing ability.  Nonetheless, an informal poll taken at the completion of the outing suggested a very high level of "customer" satisfaction, most likely because there were no actual alligator encounters (as feared)--although the 8-foot Louisiana pine snake stretching itself across the cart path on #13 caused some consternation among players in the last group.  As for results, the individual-level contests revealed a ringer in our midst, as Dennis Junius of The Associated Press won the longest drive, straightest drive, and one of the two closest-to-the-pin events.  Only Brian Hempton of Survey Sciences Group prevented a clean sweep of the person-level awards by winning the second closest-to-the-pin event with a superbly-placed tee shot on #17.  The team event (a "Scorecard Skins" game) title went to the foursome of Brian Hempton, Craig Hill (RTI International), David Roe (Survey Sciences Group), and Cliff Zukin (Rutgers).  Prizes for these events were provided by MSG.

On Thursday night, social activities coordinator Cathy Cirina and a number of AAPOR volunteers led a large group of interested and intrepid imbibers on a pub crawl through the French Quarter.  Once again this proved to be a good opportunity for our younger members to make some new friends and visit some establishments that they might not have otherwise had the opportunity to explore!  The Pub Crawl is always an adventure made more so by being in a city known for its night life!.

David DesRoches organized the Women of the Storm Tours held on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.  Both were wildly successful and helped us to support an organization with an important mission—to educate visitors to New Orleans about the devastation left in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the impact these storms had on the people living in the region.  Another popular activity this year was the opportunity attendees had to donate their conference bag to the New Orleans school district to be distributed to school children in the fall. 

On Saturday morning, Cathy Cirina led a small but sturdy and dedicated crew of early risers down to the waterfront for the annual Fun Run.  The weather was gorgeous and made getting up at 0600 well worth it. 

Although we passed on the Saturday night party this year so that folks would have the opportunity to explore the city and the nightlife, the annual "Applied Probability" (aka "poker") event kicked off immediately following the Saturday night banquet.  Eleven players participated in a No-Limit Texas Hold 'em tournament, eventually (about 1am) won by John Riccobono of RTI International.  Several others played a ring game.  Attendance at the event may have suffered slightly from the presence of a 'real' casino a mere 2 blocks away from the conference hotel.

The conference was a great success and we are already looking ahead to the 2009 conference in Hollywood, Florida! .