Portus VS Terminus

[SilverSands]

I want to know from the organizers and staff honestly what do you feel the symposium has to offer that Terminus doesn't (if you have heard of it), also as to why you feel Portus is a better choice. I don't want to read any bashing. I just want logistic points of opinion.

[bekkio]

Honestly, a lot of it comes down to convenience and personal preference. Many people have gone to both HPEF's events and Narrate's event and had an equally good time.

HPEF has a longer track record and greater resources to bring to bear on its conferences. HPEF is also building a broader network of organizing talent, mainly because it does not rely on the same team of people who are directly responsible for the conference each time. This provides us with more diversity of ideas and less risk of burnout, while simultaneously providing the organizers with the benefit of our experience and a continuity of purpose from year to year. We have learned many things from our
experiences with our conferences to date (Nimbus - 2003, The Witching Hour, and Lumos) - including some experimental choices that we have concluded are not ultimately in HPEF's--or our attendees'--best
interests.

I believe the average attendee could reasonably have a good time at either conference. Portus - 2008 is uniquely positioned among HPEF conferences because its team is so well-balanced between experienced HPEF organizers and new and talented staff.

In addition, one of the things HPEF strives to do for its conferences is to provide our attendees with a luxury experience at an affordable price. The Hilton Anatole is a prime example of how HPEF brings a little "resort" vacationing into its mix. As with Nimbus - 2003 and Lumos, Portus - 2008 is being held at a highly respected and very sumptuous venue, which we are able to offer to our attendees at prices below the usual available discounts and promotional fees. This allows our registrants to experience a little pampering along with their predilections for Potterica.

Ultimately, any conference is what you, the attendee, make of your experience. I would merely counsel you to look closely at the focus, the venue, the proposed programming and activities, and the demonstrated philosophy of the organization. These, along with external factors such as proximity, transportation, schedule, expenses, and the plans of any friends or acquaintances to guide you in making your decisions.

[SilverSands]

First off, thank you for taking the time to reply to this topic of mine. In regards to your last paragraph, thats has already been taken into consideration. That is why I wade such a topic, to find out from those who organize and staff to see what they think they have that makes Portus stand out above the rest.

Once again I appreciate your time answering me. Would it be ok if I started a topic asking for those who attend both in previous years to receive some feed back from them as well. To be honest I would love to go to both and I know financially thats just not possibly. One thing I sorta pick up on just from reading each events home site is that your event seems to be a bit more "refined" which is what truly interests me ^_^.

[bekkio]

No problem - Feel free to pose your question in the Beyond the Conference forum here (http://www.hpef.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12).

Bekki

[SilverSands]

Thank you :)