Speaking Opportunities
Since it is already the end of February, it is long overdue to keep my readers abreast of the unfolding speaking calendar. The calendar is filling up with everything from local talks to garden clubs to the International Pool & Spa Show. Clients include corporations, social groups, trade associations, and public sessions. Topics include the proper use of water in designs, adding the water element to antiquities, adding a larger repertoire of types of water features one can install in designs, and finally, matching the water feature with the client that takes into account their skills, interests, and budget.
I have the outlines of two talks on the following pages, yet find that each talk is being tailored to the group I am in front of. Not difficult since there is a huge number of previous outlines and photo’s by which to create the appropriate talk for the purpose of the people gathering and their interest in my speaking. I am finding it best to just call or email to start the process of matching what your group needs.
I have found the preparation half the fun in creating the talk and by the time I actually hit the platform, there is usually a huge familiarity with what that group is specifically looking for.
2010 Speaking Developments
In March:
Castle Rock Garden Club 3-5-10
Overview of pond building and rehabilitation of existing features
Colorado Pump Supply 3-6-10
How to hit the “reset” button after eighteen months of an economy that has been difficult for all of us.
Trade Show at the Filtrific Company booth 3-10-10 Spring Fling- Denver
Dave presented at the National Garden Railway Convention in July:
“Oh Where, Oh Where has the Water gone?
...or The Perils and Opportunities of Live Water in Your Yard"
The first half of the talk covered the principles of water feature design and construction: 1) Containing the water (and how it escapes); 2) Moving the water (pumps, efficiency, and sizing); and 3) filtering the water (algae, odors, pond chemistry).
The second half covered aesthetics. It’s possible to introduce water movement without using a gushing pipe to spew water off a hill--Dave showed the audience ways to create perfectly still water that transforms into an active stream. Dave also presented ways to create falls with different sounds, why the bottom of the pond should be as interesting as the top, transitions at the water line, and how to tie the whole water feature into the scale of a model railroad.
“We told him to expect about thirty to attend and over one hundred showed up. It was the best attended break-out session we had and the evaluation forms were outstanding. The only complaint was that it wasn’t long enough.” Gordon C.- President of Denver Garden Railroad Association
