I am currently attending an international convention for researchers in one of the cities up north. I cannot let this day end without really mentioning that this is so far the most disorganized and worst international or even national convention ever! How awful is this so called international convention? It was the worst-organized, worst-run convention I've ever been to....Let me count the ways:
1. We (me and my co-researchers) arrived the city at 11 PM after a 10 hours bus ride. Believing that we are lined up to stay at the host-school's dormitory, we traveled relaxed and stress-free (i actually enjoyed the de-lux trip of the bus). Not until few minutes before we arrived--we got a text message from the conference chair informing us of the changes in our accomodation arrangements--in other words, we were asked to proceed to this class A hotel. I got my first stressor--i inquired a lot previously about the hotel and i definitely knew of its "first-class" rate. Trusting the advise of the chair, we went there and checked ourselves in. The hotel gave us our second mega-stress when we were informed that in order to avail of the negotiated daily rate of the organizer, they have to have at least 100 particpants to check in (at the hotel) or they will charge all of us the regular rate they give to clients. Knowing their high-rocketed rate, i started conditioning my mind in using my "mega-swipe" technique (magic of the credit card). We were only assured of finally giving us the negotiated rate after two days. Can you just imagine the psychological turmoil we have to endure?!!!*&&%$^#^$
2. The second challenge came--we paid our registration fee through bank account a month before the convention and mind you---the registration process was even traumatic. We were asked to register the day before the convention believing that everything will be easier for us because we paid in advance--but we were wrong. The kits were not ready until the first day, many of those who pre-registered ahead of time were not given the kits and book of abstract until the second day.
3. The schedule of presentation of researches were chaotic too. The convention showcased several best-practise researches but until the end of the 2nd day--no concrete schedule and venue were assigned. It was definitely chaotic! I pity the researchers who came to share their work--but in the end they got the worst stress in their professional life. Instead of showcasing the best-practise researches--it was scrape off from the program! *&&*^&%&$&$ (it was like ordering a complete meal without the main course!).
4. This might be a little harsh--but i feel that the organizers should know about this---the 1st day venue was a comic con!Yes, it was comic you know why? because the participants came to learn not to die of DEHYDRATION and HEAT STROKE!. The venue for the lecture was truly a nightmare--it was super HOT, DELAPIDATED and truly scary (imagine a restroom with a door without a doorknob! People can just peep-in the perfectly made hole for the knob!).The second day venue improved a little (because it was in a hotel) but again, it was below standard. Can you imagine the participants eating their lunches in a very hot hallway? just imagine a suppossed international convention with participants eating in the hallway of the hotel--with no chairs--no tables!
5. The plenary speakers were extreme--with few excellent ones and many "boring" ones (not because they were senseless but their topics were so limited that the issues catered only to small number of paxs). Can you imagine a psychology researcher trying to digest the theories related to fisheries?*&&^^&$^#^$
6. The working committe for this convention was a sole-one-man show. I understood why there were so many lapses because there was limited manpower!
Well, i shouldnt be surprised,really. What’s surprising is that I found joy despite of the hitches of the convention primarily because I enjoyed my time with my co-researchers (especially the bonding time with them, the adventures and the shopping moments!)--these are irreplaceable!
By the way, my co-researchers are my SISTERS!
