Name Change

... the new name of the group is "Development Geographies Specialty Group". I'm not sure if its official. Might have to be approved in Vegas. Don't know "da Rulz".

Please Continue Name Change Discussion Here

To keep everyone's in-box from filling up.

To post you must have a blogger.com account, which can be set up quickly and anonymously.

Same rules of courteous interaction apply here. Spam or any untoward posts will be deleted.

Brent

Unsubscribing to the listserve

All,
I processed the listserv as a batch operation, which means you may not have received the "welcome" e-mail that tells you how to use, and unsubscribe, from the listserv. In any case, here are the instructions:

You may leave the list at any time by sending a "SIGNOFF DASG2008"
command to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.WVU.EDU.

You need to type "SIGNOFF DASG2008", no quotes, in the topic line and the message part of your e-mail.

BM

Lost Wages

All,
After several e-mails asking the same question, I will answer:

No. DASG will not have a pre-conference at Las Vegas.

New Listserv

All,
Well we finally got ourselves organized and now how a true listserv. I will let the leaders of the group set the rules of engagement, but you do need to abide by WVU's policies of non-discrimination and prohibition of hate speech (which includes personal attacks on other members, an issue with the CAPE listserv a few years back). Send your important e-mail notifications to DASG2008{at}listserv{dot}wvu{dot}edu.

Name Change

Identity is everything (unless you are a materialist). So. O.K. Identity is important. And we're re-thinking ours. "Developing Areas" isn't cutting it, so how about "geography of development" specialty group, e.g. GoD SG, or development geographies specialty group. Or add your idea below.

Transportation between the hotel and conference

All,
The hosts at Clark have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have organized vans to get us between the Hilton and the conference at Clark. They ask that we wait at the entrance to the Hilton (and conversely where they drop us off at Clark) so that the students can get back in time to attend the pre-conference.

• Sunday 4:00 - 5:00 PM - from the Hilton to Clark (Mary driving; up to 3 trips? - 4:00 PM, 4:20 PM, and 4:40 PM)
• Sunday 9:15 - 9:45 PM - from Clark to the Hilton (Mary driving; up to 3 trips? - Depends on demand...)
• Monday 7:45 - 8:45 AM - from the Hilton to Clark (the DASG meeting starts at 8:30 AM and the PGSG meeting starts at 9:00 AM) - (Matt driving; 2-3 trips? - (7:45 AM; 8:05 AM; 8:25 AM)
• Monday 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM - One run(?) immediately after the conferences for those not wanting to go to the reception at Peppercorns (1 trip) (6:00 PM)
• Monday 8:30 - 9:00 PM - Final run(s) from Peppercorns to the Hilton following reception (2 trips?; depends on demand)

I would encourage everyone to express their thanks to Mary Lawhorn and Matt Huber who will be driving and to Jim Murphy and Deb Martin. They have been extremely gracious with their time in helping us organize the pre-conference (s).

Brent

Carpooling

If you wish to try to car pool with someone between Boston and Worcester, we are providing space within this post for such conversations.

More info on the hotel

All,
More details on our block rate if you don't get it by going to the website...

The PGSG and DASG have negotiated a rate of $87 (+ tax) per night for Sunday and Monday nights at the Hilton Garden Inn (http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=BEDWOGI),
at 35 Major Taylor Blvd. (still called Worcester Center Boulevard on some maps) in downtown Worcester. The Hilton has guaranteed this rate either until 50 rooms have been reserved or March 15,whichever comes first. To make a reservation, contact the Hilton at +1 508 753 5700 and tell them that you are with the “AAG Political Geography and Developing Areas Room Block.” Parking is an additional $8.95 per night (or $12.95 per night for valet parking).

EDIT: APPARENTLY IF YOU GET THE CENTRAL RESERVATIONS AGENT OF HILTON HOTELS THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVE NO ROOMS LEFT. ASK THE OPERATOR TO DIRECT YOUR CALL TO THE RESERVATIONS DESK WITHIN THE HOTEL, NOT THE CORPORATE RESERVATIONS CALL CENTER. THE NUMBER ABOVE IS A DIRECT LINE TO THE WORCESTER HOTEL.

Latest Zogby Polls show Obama and Clinton...

Oops, nevermind. I just got back from Malawi and have to say that NOT having the US media for a month was pure delight.

We will have a program very soon. Several people have been asking and we are working on it diligently (or as diligently as academics can be).

Brent