June 8-12, 2010
Mark your calendars for June 8-12, 2010 for an incredible experience!
Bays Mountain Planetarium is hosting the 2010 SEPA Conference and we have a great schedule of events already in place. Our theme is “The Art of Storytelling.” Highlights of the meeting include our keynote speaker, Dava Sobel, presentations and workshops by you, a storytelling workshop, field trips to the Gray Fossil Site and the Rocky Mount Museum, well-known storytellers, a state-of-the-art theater, vendor displays, and more! Our commitment to you is that we will do whatever it takes to make sure that the event will be successful, educational, lots of fun, and gastronomically pleasing! Registration has been set at $200 per person which includes all meals and transportation. Working with the budget and maximizing SEPA’s funds, registration is $50 lower than the original estimate!
We have the perfect environment for hosting a spectacular SEPA conference. Our planetarium theater is state-of-the-art, as well as unique. We plan for a variety of demonstrations of not only our own equipment, but also of other vendors and some planetarium programs as well. In addition, there will be space available for workshops and, of course, many wonderful presentations by you. Another great asset is our Park staff. They are known to get the job done and they epitomize southern hospitality. Only five minutes away is the MeadowView Conference Center. They have all the space we could ever need for presentations, banquets, and vendor area. The center also includes an exceptional resort and incredible food preparation. The N.E. Tennessee region is a delight. Situated in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, we are immersed in cultural history and natural beauty.
The Bays Mountain Planetarium Theater has just currently completed a $1.3M total refurbishment project and is a sight to behold. The heart of our theater is a Zeiss Skymaster ZKP 4 optical star projector. It also boasts the Zeiss Spacegate Quinto full-dome video projection system. Both are married by Zeiss PowerDome and include the Uniview 3-D database/interface. We are the second installation of this technology in the Western Hemisphere and the first in the SEPA region! Due to its rarity in the states, it will be a unique experience for you to see this marvelous equipment. In addition, we have installed an amazing 6.1 surround sound system (one speaker at the zenith), a 40’ Astro-Tec Ultimate Seam dome, ECCS Advanced LED cove lighting, and 102 seats from GreyStone International. Couple all of this with our theater’s history of creating our own content in-house, and you will be impressed with the results.
Your families are quite welcome to visit. They can receive free passes to our Park’s activities. There are also many places of great interest nearby. Why not stay a few days before or after and enjoy the area yourself? If you fly in, you’ll be arriving at the newly remodeled Tri-Cities Airport (TRI). It is 30 minutes away in Blountville, TN. Its carriers are: Delta Connection, Northwest Airlink, U.S. Airways Express, and Allegiant Air. The weather in early June is quite nice with lows in the 60’s and highs in the 80’s.
The history of our region is quite rich. The adjoining city of Bristol is known as the birthplace of recorded country music. Related is the Carter Family Fold, a famous music venue in Hiltons, VA that highlights local bluegrass, gospel, and country music. Our area also has an incredible natural history. There are a number of caves that can be visited as well as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian Trail. From the brand-new, state-of-the-art theater, to the luxurious accommodations and the incredible region, you will truly enjoy your visit with us.
The SEPA conference is a function of SEPA, the Southeastern Planetarium Association. But, active planetarians and vendors throughout the world are welcome to attend this professional event. A form of membership is necessary though. See the SEPA website for details on types of membership. Membership dues can be paid with registration.
Thank you and we hope to see you in 2010!
Adam Thanz – SEPA 2010
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium
853 Bays Mountain Park Road
Kingsport TN 37660
USA
Phone: 1 (423) 229-9447
Fax: 1 (423) 224-2589
e-mail: thanz@ci.kingsport.tn.us