2006 GUE Conference – November 3-5

[Richard Lundgren]

1592006 GUE Conference – November 3-5

If you were impressed last year this year’s conference will only exceed your expectations and if you didn’t make it last year this is definitely something you won’t want to miss!

We’ve planned an incredible event with a variety of informative and educational seminars. Several popular speakers are returning along with a cast of new additions.

We’ll welcome back David Doollette who will speak about Assessing Secondary Factors of Decompression; Jarrod Jablonski will lead a hands-on workshop on GUE Dive Planning and Decompression; Dr. Tom Sawicki will discuss aquatic ecology issues; the ever-popular Dr. Todd Kincaid will return with several presentations on global water issues; our global explorers from areas such as Mexico, Italy and Norway will provide updates on the year’s activity; as well as plenty of other experts speaking about the environment, equipment and much, much more.

You can find a complete agenda for those of you anxious to see what we've been busy planning here 157

This year we’ve added Breakout Sessions with a variety of mini-topics ranging from photography and dive equipment maintenance/repair to survey techniques to decompression software workshops. We also have several fitness workshops planned, including one for early risers who’d like some personalized exercise tips. We didn’t overlook time to socialize with a conference dinner planned for Saturday night.

Plan for a few extra days and enjoy some of our diving activities such as skill updates with GUE instructors, equipment demos, and field trips to local sites and the Tallahassee region highlighting our ground water resources.

You’re sure to find something to educate and inspire you at the GUE conference!

GUE Conference Dates: Nov. 3-5, 2006
Pre-Conference Activities begin Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2006
Post-Conference Activities run Monday & Tuesday, Nov. 6-7, 2006.

Early Registration opens June 1, 2006 – watch the website for a detailed schedule.

You can now pre-register for the 2006 Conference on our site https://secure.gue.com/catalog/order/conference2006.shtml (https://secure.gue.com/catalog/order/conference2006.shtml)

We have reserved a block of rooms at the Hilton this year – so book now as space is limited! When making your reservation, reference the Global Underwater Explorers conference in November to receive our discounted rate of $119/night.

Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville
1714 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida, United States 32607
Tel: +1-352-371 3600 Fax: +1-352-371 0306

Corey Jablonski
Operations Manager, Global Underwater Explorers

[Richard Lundgren]

Information from Corey jablonski, GUE HQ

We're so excited about the upcoming conference here at headquarters, we wanted to share some of the excitement with you! In the "Conference Highlights" series we'll spotlight some of the most anticipated subjects for you. This week we're focusing on the WKPP; next week we'll take a look at Fitness topics being presented throughout the conference weekend.

You've read the reports, heard the rumors, and studied the pictures. Now you can hear it all first hand at the GUE Conference from the WKPP Exploration Team! Global Underwater Explorers is proud to provide you with personal access to some of the world's most accomplished explorers. Enjoy this unprecedented access to WKPP support divers and gas divers as well as personal insight from Casey and Jarrod; these exciting presentations will enlighten you with stories and never-before-seen video from some of the most inaccessible places on the planet.

Some WKPP conference highlights include:

2006 Wakulla Exploration Update: Redefining the Limits of Cave Exploration Casey McKinlay, WKPP Project Director Project Director Casey McKinlay takes you on a breathtaking tour of the WKPP's incredible 2006 season. For more than a decade the WKPP team has been redefining the limits of cave exploration while attempting to discover a connection between the Wakulla and Leon Sinks Cave Systems in North Florida's Woodville Karst Plain. 2006 has been a landmark year with more progress made than at any other time in the team's amazing history. Be among the first to see video of these astounding caves as Casey chronicles the details of these remarkable dives.

2006 Wakulla Exploration Update: Natural Bridge - St. Marks River Rise Exploration. Chris Werner WKPP explorer.

Chris Werner, will detail the exploration of more than two miles of new cave passage as well as the connection of 13 surface sinkholes and springs. This dynamic part of the WKPP operations is relatively unknown but is no less important toward our global understanding of cave formation; the expanded knowledge of cave formation adds to our ability to conserve and protect these unique resources.

Global Implications: Research in the Woodville Karst Plain Dr. Todd Kincaid

Dr. Kincaid ranks as 2005's most popular presenter and is back for a detailed review of the significance of caves toward our understanding and protection of the world's most precious commodity- fresh water. Dr. Kincaid explores the global relevance of the ongoing hydrogeological research being done in the Woodville Karst Plain while articulating the importance of the research done by GUE. This engaging discussion can't help but enhance your appreciation for the significance of flooded caves in ground water protection. This presentation will also allow you to appreciate the dives of the WKPP in an entirely different light.

Extreme Team Dive Planning. Mark Messersmith

Many of you read about the world record dives conducted by the WKPP, review the comprehensive dive reports and gander at the amazing photos while wondering about the organization of these amazing dives. Now you have a unique opportunity to see a behind the scenes perspective. Gas diver and Co-Coordinator of the WKPP, Mark Messersmith, provides insight into the inner workings of WKPP operations. Mark chronicles the intense planning, complex logistics and careful structures necessary to safely execute the world's most extreme diving. Mark's presentation is a must for those interested in organizing their own projects or expanding the capacity and safety of their own local diving group.

Woodville Karst Plain Tour. Guide: Dr. Todd Kincaid, GUE Science Director

Join Todd for an exclusive tour of the region that put the WKPP on the world stage; this tour details the karst terrain outside Tallahassee, Florida. Todd's personalized tour includes visits to local hydrogeological highlights including the famous Leon Sinks and Wakulla cave systems. The trip includes an overnight stay in the historic lodge at Wakulla Springs. Lunch will be provided over the course of the two day excursion while dinner and breakfast are available at Wakulla Lodge. This unique outing coupled with a fantastic host is destined to be one of our most popular offerings.

The conference will be held in Gainesville, Florida from November 2-7. Please see the website for a detailed agenda and registration information. You are welcome to contact the office staff with any questions or concerns at info@gue.com (info@gue.com) or (386) 454-0820.

Space is limited so be sure to register for the conference today!

Corey Jablonski
Operations Manager, Global Underwater Explorers
15 South Main Street
High Springs, Florida 32643
(386) 454-0820
(386) 454-8173 (f)