Unlike many conferences, the AACGE-14 includes organized social events every evening during the conference. These social events offer many opportunities for attendees to meet with fellow crystal growers, to develop contacts, and to network. Spouses and accompanying persons are of course welcome to join in any or all of these events.

Sunday August 4, Opening Reception

Be sure to come to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday evening, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Beverages and appetizers will be served. This is a great opportunity to renew old acquaintances and make new ones and plan evening outings before you buckle down to work when the technical sessions begin the next morning. 

Monday August 5, First Vendors Reception

Following an afternoon of contributed talks, our exhibitors will sponsor a reception from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Enjoy light refreshments and beverages while you chat with colleagues and visit the exhibitors' booths, where you can thank our hosts and learn about their latest products and services. 

Tuesday August 6, Second Vendors Reception

After a grueling afternoon session of contributed talks and poster presentations, you'll be happy to relax at the second exhibitor sponsored reception from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. We hope everyone is looking forward to the vendor raffle taking place. This will be your opportunity to wrap up any on going discussions with the vendors (this will be the last day of the exhibition). 

Wednesday August 7, Excursion to Blake Island

On Wednesday, technical sessions will be held only in the morning. This leaves the afternoon free for sightseeing, or other activities. For those attendees wishing to participate in an organized activity, an excursion to Tillicum Village on Blake Island Marine State Park has been organized. All attendees and accompanying persons are welcome to join in on this activity for an additional fee of $70/adult ($75 if purchased after July 1), $25/child 5 - 12 years ($30 if purchased after July 1), children 4 years old and under are free.

Located on Blake Island State Marine Park, Tillicum Village offers visitors a unique Northwest experience. Our group will board a charter boat at 2:15 PM from Pier 55 (about 5 blocks from the conference hotel). The boat trip out to the island will take approximately one hour and includes a narrated tour of the harbor. Once on Blake Island, we will have time to explore the saltwater beaches, hike around the island, or shop in the gift gallery. At 5:30 we will gather at the longhouse for appetizers of clams in lightly seasoned nectar. Enter the great cedar longhouse for a northwest Indian style salmon dinner complete with salad bar, rice, new potatoes, warm Tillicum seven-grain bread, coffee, tea, lemonade, and a salmon shaped chocolate for desert. During the dinner, we will be entertained by a presentation of Native American dance (in full costume) of the many tribes and cultures of the Northwest Coast Indians. At 7:30, we will re-board our charter boat, for the ride back to the Seattle docks. The excursion will be complete at about 8:30, early enough to allow for a leisurely walk back to the hotel, possibly stopping at the nearby Pike Place Market.

Thursday August 8, Conference Banquet

Immediately following the final session of the poster presentations on Thursday, we will hold the conference banquet. Each full price conference registration includes one ticket for the banquet. Additional tickets for accompanying persons may be purchased during registration for $65.00 each. This banquet provides the opportunity for presentation of numerous awards recognizing work in crystal growth, and recognition of those who volunteer their time to help organize AACG conferences.