Re: [Paddlewise] Symposium rant

I attended the SF Bay "Paddlefest" last September. The TAPS website now
describes this as their "most successful new event"  Matt was listed as a
"speaker" in the literature given away at the local kayak store prior to the
event.  I have no recollection of "past and present speakers" being
mentioned in that literature. When I got there, he was not listed anywhere
on the program.  I was extremely disappointed.

They had a couple price levels and I paid the upper-end one of $88 for two
days.  I could have paid more which would have included a "dinner". They
also had a lower level $10 per day "beach pass" that would allow one to gain
entrance and demo boats.  I'm not interested in the "classes" or "speakers"
who may not be there.  I am interested in paddling different boats, playing
with the accessories and talking with the folks who brought them out.

On the positive side I got to see and play with all sorts of things I never
would otherwise.  Some silly: a peddle-powered kayak.  Some hazardous: huge
seat-backs you can lounge back on and then get trapped in or break your neck
on when things get dicey. Some worth getting (to me): Platypus hydration
stuff.

This September I'll take notes and compose an opinionated review guaranteed
to bring flames.

I'll pack my own lunch, that little lunch they provided wasn't worth the
increased admission price.

Bob.

----- Original Message -----
From: Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
Subject: [Paddlewise] Symposium rant


What burns me is that in advertising TAPS lists me as a "speaker"
> ("present and past speakers") is how they put it to be technically correct
> while misleading the potential attendees. It pisses me off that they will
> trade on my name but then turn me down when I volunteer to speak. After
> first accepting they called and claimed the speaking time slots were all
> full (but then later they invited a member of paddlewise to give a talk on
> the subject that I had volunteered to speak on, so it smells a lot like
> politics to me). If TAPS uses my name in their deceptive advertising again
> this year they will probably be talking to my lawyer and may find they
have
> another expense to take care of.
> Matt Broze



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