3 replies to this topic

[csmythies]

StarTrak is a newly proposed annual astro-imaging conference, organized by StarTrak Academy, a nonprofit based in Seattle, Washington. Its purpose would be to fill in the void left by the departure of the Advanced Imaging Conference (AIC) with a cost-effective alternative that offers its attendees opportunities to learn about astro-imaging, network with fellow enthusiasts, and engage with vendors.

 

The AIC was held at the San Jose Convention Center in Silicon Valley and was discontinued in 2024 due to:

 

1) Rising costs associated with venue rentals, labor, and accommodations.

2) Logistical challenges.

3) The burden on AIC board members, who faced an increasing workload without compensation.

4) Increased competition from online educational resources.

5) A lack of new, younger attendees to sustain long-term growth.

 

In a bid to ensure a new conference remains sustainable, here are examples how StarTrak could do things differently:

 

1) Move the conference out of San Jose.

2) Hold the conference at a hotel.

3) Attract new, younger attendees by offering more introductory presentations.

4) Replace the banquet with a western-style BBQ at a local dark sky site.

 

Tucson, Arizona would be an excellent choice for a host city. It is located in an area of the country where there are perennial clear, dark skies and large numbers of amateur astronomers. With a possible start date as early as May 2026, StarTrak would have two presentation threads that run concurrently - one for beginners, and another for the more experienced. Also included would be hands-on workshops, vendor exhibits, and field trips to local observatories and dark sky sites. The conference would be funded through tax-deductible donations, sponsorships, and attendance fees.

 

Is this idea worth pursuing?

 

Christopher Smythies

 

 

 

[WadeH237]

I like the idea of something to fill the void left by AIC.

 

In my opinion, there will be a challenge in finding a venue.  You will need to find something with easy access, yet reasonable cost.  I always thought that it might be interesting to hold it in the conference room of a casino in central California.  My wife and I often stayed at Rolling Hills Casino in Corning, CA on the way down to AIC.  It seems to be about the right size, and it has a conference center available.  It also has rooms.  The down side is that it's a 90 minute drive from Sacramento to the south, or a 45 minute drive from Redding to the north.  That would be a challenge for folks flying in (and also vendors, who would have lots of gear).

 

The other issue is hitting an appropriate target audience.  I realize that you are looking for more entry level sessions to bring people in.  The down side to that, is that one of the main benefits to AIC was that it had all the major vendor players in attendance.  That worked because the attendees of AIC were a bit further along in the hobby (and since most of them were from the Bay area, they tended to have money to spend).  I myself have spent 10's of thousands with vendors at AIC over the years.

 

I hope that you will be able to recruit a good group of organizers.  The issues that AIC had in getting board members is real.  I am on the planning committee for a major star party, and it is almost impossible to find volunteers who can commit to spending time outside of the star party dates.  We've been at about half of the needed staffing for the committee for almost 5 years now.

 

And finally, I have one comment on the dates:  Don't hold it anywhere near the new moon!  Schedule it during a full moon, when your target audience is not otherwise busy under dark skies.  If you want to get in some observing, do some solar stuff in the parking lot, like NEAF.

 

I'm hoping that you can take this as constructive criticism.  I wish you only the best, and look forward to being an attendee.
 

[csmythies]

Thank you for your helpful advice. We were thinking about holding StarTrak at the Four Points by Sheraton Tucson Airport which is within walking distance of the main terminal building. They have a modest conference center, rooms, swimming pool etc. and their prices are very reasonable.

[Paul Romero]

Hi,

 

Id go if it was walking distance, especially with destinations like UofA mirror center, Mt Lemmon, and Mt Graham available for day ( or night) trips. Perhaps add ons to these could be integrated in such a way that ooogling over really nice stuff wont be missed. Oh, did I forget the National observatory at Kitt Peak? 

 

Clear Skies,

 

Paul