LAPCON - The LapBand and WLS Convention...Who's Game?

[Cingulus 0]

Hi Folks,

In my job, I put on a number of tradeshows and events. I have been thinking about holding a new event called…LAPCON. Is there a LapBand Convention or National Meeting? I am kind of surprised, but I not heard of one yet in reading all the boards. My car clubs do it all the time, we can get some vendors to sponsor the event, provide some prizes and have some fun at the same time. So I was thinking…

• Friday night - Welcome Reception, Bizarre/SwapMeet and Vendor Fair

• Saturday – Seminars, Group Exercise Classes, Bizarre/SwapMeet, Vendor Fair and a Gala dinner with an awards ceremony

• Sunday – Breakfast, Classes and a Group Exercise session, Close at noon.

For key events I was thinking:

• Pre-op and Post-op Seminars (Get the WLS vendors to present)

• Best WLS Doctor Award (voted on by members of LBT.com)

• Good Cooking Seminars (invite some of the authors of books)

• Exercise Equipment demos, trainers and classes (Vendor Sponsors)

• Success stories

• Video (YouTube) and Photography courses

• Online Posting and Blogging Classes

• Clothes Exchange Bizarre/Swap Meet

• Contests for the “Best” Stories

• NSV seminars

• Some Dinner and Dancing Evenings

Who would be up for such an event (or think I am nuts...) or maybe 3 spread across the states (East, Central and West) maybe DC, Chicago, Vegas ?

Shaun

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Hi Folks,

In my job, I put on a number of tradeshows and events. I have been thinking about holding a new event called…LAPCON. Is there a LapBand Convention or National Meeting? I am kind of surprised, but I not heard of one yet in reading all the boards. My car clubs do it all the time, we can get some vendors to sponsor the event, provide some prizes and have some fun at the same time. So I was thinking…

• Friday night - Welcome Reception, Bizarre/SwapMeet and Vendor Fair

• Saturday – Seminars, Group Exercise Classes, Bizarre/SwapMeet, Vendor Fair and a Gala dinner with an awards ceremony

• Sunday – Breakfast, Classes and a Group Exercise session, Close at noon.

For key events I was thinking:

• Pre-op and Post-op Seminars (Get the WLS vendors to present)

• Best WLS Doctor Award (voted on by members of LBT.com)

• Good Cooking Seminars (invite some of the authors of books)

• Exercise Equipment demos, trainers and classes (Vendor Sponsors)

• Success stories

• Video (YouTube) and Photography courses

• Online Posting and Blogging Classes

• Clothes Exchange Bizarre/Swap Meet

• Contests for the “Best” Stories

• NSV seminars

• Some dinner and Dancing Evenings

Who would be up for such an event (or think I am nuts...) or maybe 3 spread across the states (East, Central and West) maybe DC, Chicago, Vegas ?

Shaun

Yeah, there is one but it's not very good. It gets worse each year and half the docs that used to go won't even go anymore. It's the Seattle Splash or some silly name.

If you can do one that is run better I say go for it. They usually have Inamed, FillCentersUSA, J&J, doctors, speakers, all kinds of people. Maybe if it was organized better by a person that was liked better than the current then doctors would start attending again.

[Godschild 0]

It sounds great to me!

[itschoice 0]

I think it sounds like a great idea. If you did one in So. Cal. during the summer I could be a vendor and sell my jewelry if the vendor cost was not too expensive.

[lapbandbarb 0]

Hi Folks,

In my job, I put on a number of tradeshows and events. I have been thinking about holding a new event called…LAPCON. Is there a LapBand Convention or National Meeting? I am kind of surprised, but I not heard of one yet in reading all the boards. My car clubs do it all the time, we can get some vendors to sponsor the event, provide some prizes and have some fun at the same time. So I was thinking…

• Friday night - Welcome Reception, Bizarre/SwapMeet and Vendor Fair

• Saturday – Seminars, Group Exercise Classes, Bizarre/SwapMeet, Vendor Fair and a Gala dinner with an awards ceremony

• Sunday – Breakfast, Classes and a Group Exercise session, Close at noon.

For key events I was thinking:

• Pre-op and Post-op Seminars (Get the WLS vendors to present)

• Best WLS Doctor Award (voted on by members of LBT.com)

• Good Cooking Seminars (invite some of the authors of books)

• Exercise Equipment demos, trainers and classes (Vendor Sponsors)

• Success stories

• Video (YouTube) and Photography courses

• Online Posting and Blogging Classes

• Clothes Exchange Bizarre/Swap Meet

• Contests for the “Best” Stories

• NSV seminars

• Some dinner and Dancing Evenings

Who would be up for such an event (or think I am nuts...) or maybe 3 spread across the states (East, Central and West) maybe DC, Chicago, Vegas ?

Shaun

Shaun,

Actually, just to let you know, there have been National Lap-band conventions planned. They are planned by CoachCher who is on this forum and has her own website. She is a life coach and has been banded for years. She works with Mr Lapband, Alex. You may have heard of him. He always posts important info on this site. There was supposed to be one scheduled for March 20- 21 in NYC but was cancelled due to poor attendance (economy,I guess) My friends and I were planning on going and were disappointed when it didn't happen. Do a search on this website RE National Lap-Band Conference or you can google- bandedtogether.net/events- this may give you more info.about Coach Cher's plans. The obesityhelp.com website also plans events like what you are talking about.

I have been very sucessful with my band and have educated myself throughly. If you do end up planning something, I would be very interested and I know many people who would be interested! I have more info and could help if you would like. I am in NY as I said. Feel free to PM me.

Edited May 4, 2009 by Barb12590

[simone 0]

Instead of putting it on the east or west coasts how about something in the midwest where a lot of us who can't afford to travel great distances can attend.

[Cingulus 0]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the replies. I agree that regional venues east/central/west would make the events more accessible. In my business, we have seen a trend toward smaller regional events due to travel restrictions/costs.

So what else would LapBanders want to see at these events?

Please share you thoughts...

Thanks,

Shaun

[Themo123 0]

Hi, there have been national conventions planned. You can never get too much information. I had Chef Dave Fouts come and do a cooking demo and he was wonderful. He gave a lot of good info. I would love to go to a convention. The Mo

[HeatherO 7]

I like the idea of conventions and it is good to get everyone together. I would be happy to attend a future conference.

I think it would be good to be in contact with CoachCher and Alex as well.

[Brandy~ 2]

If one ever got close enough to Oregon I might consider it.

Or I could totally use Vegas as an excuse to go see LBT friendds and Partay...

Oh Lulu!

[Cingulus 0]

Ok, so one of the first tasks is to come up with a name that can also be a web domain. Lapcon.com is already taken…by a German door manufacture. Typically, for naming events like this you smash two words together, al thought that is not required. Here are some names to kick around.

LapBand - LapBandCon, LapbandWorld, LapbandShow, LapbandFourm

Band - Band for Life, BandCon, BandWorld, BandForum, BandForum

5Stars (Referring to the Incisions) - 5StarsCon

SecondU – SecondUCon, SecondUworld,

NewYou - NewUcon, NewUworld, NewUForum

U/2 or You/2 (meaning we are half the size) – U/2con, U/2world (I see a lawsuit from Bono)

Bandit – BanditCon, BanditWorld,

[CapitolChick 1]

did you domain search for:

1lapcon.com

lap-con.com

lapcon.org

lbcon.com

agbcon.com (adjustable gastric band)

also..

just a thought but 'con' anything comes across as IT.

Are there other naming conventions for large national gatherings?

and yes I would go if:

1) There were a lot of vendors of different kinds.. I am weird though, I like to go to supernatural festivals or psychic festivals so I won't even begin to suggest vendors – LOL

2) And it wasn’t over the top expensive

[myturn0421 0]

I'd love to go if it's not too expensive. My hubby would go if he knew there would be more guys . We went to the one Coach Cher did in Dallas, it was OK. Chris was one of five guys - three of them being guest speakers:thumbdown:.

Coach Chers' really seemed to focus on pre-band, even though there were only 2 people the pre-banded (me being one of them).

[erinshel 0]

sounds good to me! I'd even offer to help do promo work for it or find sponsors if you needed it. I love that sort of work!

[LittleLisa 0]

I reside near Seattle, WA and would love to attend a lap band convention in Las Vegas. I think Las Vegas is a great spot. Vegas is offering terriffic deals for travel. I would be interested in forums regarding diet, cosmetic surgery options, and excercise. I have been banded almost 2 years and did things pretty much on my own post op based on everyhthing I could read or learn. I was self pay and went to Mexico. Just four days ago I went into surgery again for a bad slip. I had complications after the first surgery and had a second the very next day (nothing would go through my band due to scar tissue). I was now rebanded by a Dr. near Seattle, WA. My insurance paid for the proceedure (thank goodness). Speaking of, that could be another good topic for discussion...Banding in mexico vs. the US. There are deffinately pros and cons. Hope this helps and keep us posted. I would deffinately love to be involved. Thanks, Lisa