[GemGeek]

Caitlin may have seen on the local news that Douglas Hucker of the AGTA went to the city of Tucson and "requested" a return to their previous standards of service or the show would leave the city. Various places have become unavailable, venues are noticeably shabby and, heaven knows, parking is a nightmare!

I saw Doug last Thursday and he assured me that AGTA isn't going anywhere, so I think things went well.

[Caitlin]

Only one hotel downtown....... AGTA says that every year.

The entire Tucson Convention Center needs refurbishing, esp. in the administration end. DH has a history with them, going back 20 years.

Tucson is broke, broke, broke and the entire TCC is run by politics and political appointments, nothing getting done with competence. I could go on, but I do think AGTA will have to move, but there is no place in Tucson to move to.

There was a dream to build a new convention center and hotel complex across the riverbed downtown. That always moved like a snail and has a chainlink fence around it now that they quit working on the foundations. It was supposed to be done by now. It's ten years after they approved the plans, so Tucson has lost its grip on good conventions coming here and it will soon result in a loss of major shows, even if not this year. IMO

[GemGeek]

That's sad. But come on, everyone loves Tucson!

[judimcc6]

It does look like a bombed out city. Transportation is almost unbearable. Have they finished the highway yet? Granted, it is a unique venue and I can't imagine where else it could be moved, but Tucson would really miss us.

[Caitlin]

Yes, The highway construction is DONE!
When all is said and done, Tucson is a dusty little border town, uniquely quaint. And the weather is usually very pleasant in Feb. We had no rain to speak of this summer, but my garden goddess friend says she heard it will be a wet winter. Not so great for the show, but desperately needed for the plant life.

[jshepherd]

Has anyone here asked GIA when the course will be updated or when the new course would be available? I understand that the Colored Stone's course will be out in January, but have not heard a word about Pearls.

[GemGeek]

They said it will be out by "Spring".

[Amrita]

Originally Posted by GemGeek

They said it will be out by "Spring".

Of which year?

[GemGeek]

Har Har! They're making it a labor of love!

[judimcc6]

Jeremy, I know you had been asked to be part of the new development. Did that ever happen? It would be nice to know that you had been consulted, at least. I think I might have to take the course all over again. I will do the pearl grading update in Tucson, though. I can't miss.

[GemGeek]

Today I participated in a presentation on the new continuing education program for people who are GIA Gemologists or Graduate Gemologists. I saw more of the online learning, both the traditional courses and the continuing ed courses. The program is simply outstanding.

In January they will be adding the Colored Stones course to the online courses. They have completely updated the two chapters on pearls within the Colored Stones course -- but -- the next course will be Gem Indentification, later in 2010. the push is to get the core courses for the GG program online before the other programs.

They are going to get back to me, but it's unclear if the pearl course will roll out in 2010. If it does, it will be nearer the end of 2010.

Good things come to those who wait.