Retreat Logistics (#2 - Meeting Supplies Needed)

Hi Everyone -

The purpose of this post is to provide info and solicit input in terms of meeting materials / support needed during the April retreat.

Cliff - Please rectify any errors I make here or provide additional perspective.

Cliff has an LCD projector available on site. There will also be wireless networking on the premises by then so I think it would be a good idea for folks to bring their laptops. There is a giant wall-sized whiteboard available.

I also think it would be a good idea to videotape the proceedings. This has 2 benefits. One, we don't have to worry too much about taking notes. Two, when Time, Newsweek, Businessweek, Fast Company, HBR et al want to run a story in 2010 about Begumpura, we will have good audio-visual fodder to share!

My humble thought on that front is to use the handycam and tripod I have available. I have only seen 60 minute tapes which means we will need about 30 of them, which sounds klunky. I will try to look for longer tapes. Does anybody have any better ideas on how to capture the retreat for posterity? Does anybody have any audio recording solutions instead? I won't be there for Day 1 but if we decide to go with the handycam/tripod approach, I can hand over the stuff to Mike McGinley in Richmond prior to the retreat (with a demo - if needed - on how to use it).

Cliff has a digital camera available which we can use to take pictures (as well as potentially to create a visual record of whiteboard scribbles).

The supplies that I am planning to procure for the retreat include:

Dry Erase markers and Eraser/Duster (for whiteboard wall)
Flip Charts and permanent markers for those
Notebooks and pens/pencils
Post-its
Note cards

Please provide any other ideas for articles / consumables you think we may need to have a productive and stimulating retreat. Can anyone volunteer to bring puzzles or other stress-busters to break the monotony? Who am I kidding - there will be no monotony!

Cheers,

Vikas

Retreat Logistics (#1 - Plan for 4/26 Saturday)

Folks -

Per my e-mail, I would love to know your responses to the following questions / proposal for logistics for 4/26 (Saturday):

1. Are you okay with the proposal of meeting for dinner at 6 pm and starting the 2 hr drive for the retreat by 8 pm?

2. If you are flying / driving in to the DC area, can you commit to get there in time for the dinner get-together? Please inform me of your arrival details which I plan to put in a spreadsheet.

3. Do you prefer to rent van or carpooling for the drive from DC to WV?

4. Are you willing to volunteer to drive from DC to WV and if so, how many other people do you think your car can accommodate?

Thanks!

Vikas