There's the CA Sanctioned Show coming up in Sacramento in January 11-13, 2013, the National ECBC Show which will be located in CO the first weekend of March 2013 and in the first weekend of November 2013, the Annual Meeting and Educational Seminars will be in Sacramento, CA. These are HUGE opportunities for those of us in the Western half of the US. For many years, the National events have been held in the midwest but there was a huge push to move these events further West this year due to the increased activity and participation on the West.
This year's Annual Meeting was so educational and a great time. Niels Sworig who developed the Blue Diamond flew over from Denmark to present on the development of the Blue Diamonds and showed everyone live Blue Diamonds as well as BD pelts compared to violet and sapphire pelts. Marina and Vicente of Chinchillas Cinco Estrellas of Argentina brought some beautiful chinchilla garments modeled at a fashion show at the banquet and pelts dressed by their special process which leaves a beautiful clean pliable leather. Bob Baar gave a background on the goldbar mutation which originated on their ranch. Dick Bradford and Gary Neubauer gave a presentation on evaluating pelts. Gary also gave a presentation on ranching for production. And Tabitha Lindsay presented information on sugar digestion in hind gut fermenters and epigenetics. It seems that some people think the Annual Meeting is just for Board members and delegates to handle business but it is for everybody! There is education in addition to the meetings. There is so much to be learned and we have attendees ranging from pet owners to small breeders to large ranchers to fur dressers and garment producers!
And next year will be one nobody will want to miss! I encourage everyone to put these dates on their calendars as these will all be some awesome events! Regardless of where you are from, we have selected locations with an International airport for those choosing to fly... and for the National Show, a location which can be driven to (and balances out the driving times ) for those of us bringing animals.