One Hundred Seventy Attend The Ninth Annual Monolithic Dome Conference
by Freda Parker
Despite anxiety created by the war with Iraq and our lagging economy, 170 men and women, representing 20 states, Canada and the Virgin Islands participated in Monolithic's annual conference, at the Ramada Plaza in Ft. Worth, on March 27 through March 29, 2003.
Anne De Moss, conference coordinator, reports that three-fourths of the audience were "brand new attendees." She also stated that five of those who attended this year have been to all nine of our conferences.
Something Old
The something old at our conference included seminars of particular interest to prospective Monolithic Dome owners and builders: Larry Byrne on Dome Building 101, 102; David B. South on How To Get It Built; Gary Clark on Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions; Melinda South on Decorating a Dome; and Wells Fargo's advice on Financing a Dome Home. "Those sessions are always well attended," said David B. South, Monolithic's president, "because they contain so much practical, down-to-earth information that's shared by those who -- as the saying goes -- have been there and done that."
Other favorite repeat lecturers included Jim Kaslik on Finishing Techniques for the Do-It-Yourselfer and How to Keep Your Reality Check from Bouncing; Alden Porter on Construction Management; David South Jr. on Rental Management; Gordon Cuthbertson on Heating and Air Conditioning.
Something New
Like Monolithic's past conferences, this one presented a variety of new speakers and classes: Leland Gray on Domes and Architecture; Dr. Arnold Wilson on The How and Why of Dome Failures; Lucia Fredenburgh on Corpus Christi Catholic Church Multipurpose Center; Lane Roberts on Large Dome Construction; Ray Ansel on A Dome Builder's Experience; Perry Gray-Reneberg on Environmentally Conscious Structures; Merrel Holly on Hypoallergenic Building; Carol Lanham on Domes and the Media; Jerry Whitaker on Exterior Coatings; Andy Gee on Spaceport Italy; Porter Falcon on Acoustics in a Monolithic Dome; Blaine Green on Monolithic Equipment; and Larry Tanner, PE with Texas Tech University who spoke about disaster-safe structures.
MDBA Elects New Officers
The Monolithic Dome Builders Association met during the conference and elected new officers: President Mike Anderson, Vice President Dave Larsen, Secretary Ray Ansel and Treasurer Andy Barnes. Members also discussed goals and objectives for the coming year.
Banquet
After two days of classes, attendees were treated to a sumptuous dinner and entertained with presentations by Gary Clark -- who has been asked to find new jokes for next year -- and by David B. South.
Dome Tour
Our ninth conference concluded with a tour of the multipurpose centers at both Avalon and Italy, Texas as well as Monolithic's headquarters and several dome homes.
Attendee Reaction
"I thoroughly enjoyed the three day seminar and certainly gained a great deal of knowledge and insight on Monolithic Domes. The dinner banquet was an especially nice touch and everyone at your institute, as well as the vendors at the conference, were amazingly warm and friendly.
The incredible hospitality of the founder and all staff involved was the best experience of all. Thank you all for making myself, my traveling companions and business partners feel welcomed by your enthusiasm and eagerness to provide support for our own dreams.
This company's high values and strong beliefs in wanting to provide the community a securely sound alternative to homes building/living shows what great love and care you have for your neighbors. Monolithic Institute is certainly a company I feel I can trust and believe in."
-- Santa Romero, P C Dome Homes, Conference Attendee, 2003
Next Year: The Big Ten!
Anne De Moss said, "Next year's conference A Decade of Domes is earmarked for March 18-20, 2004. We are going to work hard to make it even bigger and better!"
NOTE: Audio tapes of all sessions presented during the Ninth Annual Monolithic Dome Conference are available for purchase. Contact EPI Center Tapes, PO Box 97, Woodruff, AZ. (928)524-7717.
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