government partners, our vendors, and the American people.” › Also last month,The Wall Street Jour- nal ran an unsigned editorial blasting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s sponsorship of two upcoming meetings — the California Small Farm Confer- ence, held in Fresno on March 10–12, and the Priester National Health Exten- sion Conference, scheduled for April 16–17 in Corvallis, Ore. “Yes, even as the White House warns that the modest automatic spending cuts will force the furlough of meat inspectors, two divi- sions of the Agriculture Department will underwrite the 26th California Small Farm Conference in Fresno next week,” the Journal wrote. “The event will feature USDA speakers, field trips, a banquet, and a tasting reception, according to the conference website. Conference organizers promise the tasting will be a ‘mouthwatering event’ featuring ‘fine wines and exceptional microbrews paired with seasonally driven culinary delicacies.’ How can we sign up?” Not to be outdone in taking

umbrage, longtime meetings industry advocate Roger Rickard, a partner with Revent, fired back a letter to the editor, which he also posted on his Voices in Advocacy blog (voicesinadvocacy.wordpress.com): “The conferences cited in your edito- rial identified key objectives to their success, [such as to] ‘provide resource support to professionals and commu- nity leaders working to improve com- munity health.’ It’s not about the wine or the tasty dishes, however it is about achieving key objectives. Face-to-face conferences allow people to remove themselves from their daily routine and completely focus on the topic at hand to advance their knowledge and expertise.” Watch this space for continuing updates on the GSA Effect. We’re sure you won’t have to wait long.

. —Christopher Durso PCMA.ORG APRIL 2013 PCMA CONVENE 17

THERE’S A MEETING FOR THAT? National Hobo Convention

Drifting Through Last year marked the 113th National Hobo Convention, held Aug. 9–12 in Britt, Iowa — the “Hobo Capital of the World.” Each August, in the spirit of preserving hobo history, a close-knit band from all over the United States meet in Britt for a party, parade, and homemade mulligan stew.

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1 The Hobo Council crowns a National Hobo King and Queen each year.

2 Hobo Jungle Park, off Steamtrain Way, is the hub of National Hobo Convention activities.

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3 The convention opens each year with the ofical lighting of the fire and Four Winds ceremony.

4 The group poses for the annual photo in front of an old boxcar.

For more information: brittiowa.com/hobo

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