According to the counter on my blog, there are now less than 35 days to go to our conference, and things are hotting up.

Soon we will announce our latest sponsors and their exciting plans to join the conversation that we are starting with this event.

However, we thought it was an opportune moment to remind those who have been following these developments, and who have not committed to attending yet, to “get their skates on“. We have a few empty chairs, but not many.

Our intention has always been to keep this event, particularly our first one, small enough that each attendee can have a chance to meet the others and participate actively in the discussions, not just sit back passively and spectate. For this reason all our plans are built on the idea of keeping this event to a core of around 30-35 bloggers.

We already have 27 signed up, so the last few remaining spaces are about to go. Take a look at the list of participants. If there are blogs you do not recognise, then it is imperative you come along to meet those bloggers who are making the most noise in their own countries. If you do recognise them, come along and meet the people behind the keyboard.

In addition to the bloggers participating, we will have a small number of ‘guest’ spaces for our major sponsors, the Press, researchers and other interested people. For the reasons mentioned above, we cannot have too many, but these guests are also bringing something to the party. We want the Press to seriously consider what we are doing and maybe even join in the debate about the development of wine criticism. The sponsors have relevant information to share with us (more on this soon), and hopefully will provide us with materials and ideas to work with over the next few months, maybe for some of our first ‘cooperative’ activities. We have also been contacted by some academics who want to understand blogging and the wine world better. Look out for some probing questions!

There are a few remaining discounted rooms available, and places on our coach, but please do sign up soon if you want to take advantage of these.

We look forward to hearing from you, and meeting you in person, very soon.

[photo: The Empty Chair, by inesplicabile]