Rethinking ICRS
ICRS. The International Christian Retail Show. This huge gathering of authors and publishers had been an enigma to me. Something I’ve wondered about but never experienced. This year I had three different opportunities to attend. Two would be out of our budget and would entail attending a mini conference. One other opportunity won’t cost me a dime. I could go as media and set up interviews with people like Terri Blackstock, Brandilyn Collins, James Scott Bell, etc.
Before I recieved the list of interviewees I had resolved not to go. Though I have family living in Orlando and thought about making it a family vacation, that would mean two days of driving and with the gas being so high, I didn’t want to do it. Plus, we just went to Disney World last year. So I was resigned to skip this event and vacation closer to home.
Then I got the list of attendees and I started to drool! What an incredible opportunity to meet authors, pick their brains, and bring back their answers to my Writer…Interrupted readers. It’s so tempting. And there’s still time. But I’m not sure what to do.
What do you think? If you had this opportunity, what would you do?
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It’s really a great opportunity. If I were you and i could manage it both financially and family wise, I’d go.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:43 amWow, what a group of authors to work with. If it was me I would go. It would be a trip I could travel alone since my boys are old enough to stay on their own and I know hubby wouldn’t be able to get time off work.
But I can’t tell you what you should do. It would have to be a family decision. Especially with the price of gas. That is alot of driving with kids. What does your hubby think?
As a reader of your blog I would love to have the opportunity to get more in-depth with those authors through your eyes. But still it is ultimately your decision to make.
Seem the time to pray is at hand.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:35 pmHaving a specific job to do while I was there would definitely help me decide to go — especially with people like these to interview! Networking is probably one of my least favorite things AND it’s the task that can really make or break your career. I’d be much more comfortable with interviews to accomplish. What a great experience!
May 13th, 2008 at 3:41 pmGina, I certainly understand your dilema and wish I could help you decide. My only thoughts/questions are these:
1) Could you stay with relatives so your housing would be free?
2) Is there anyone you could ride with to share expenses?
3) There’s a lot more to central Florida besides Disney World - the Gulf Coast, for instance.
The bottom line is that I have to constantly be reminded that it’s not about me and what I want, but what God desires for me to do - as I’m sure you know, Gina. I think you just need to turn it over to God and see if He opens doors for you to go. Meanwhile, I’ll be interested in seeing what happens!
May 13th, 2008 at 3:51 pmLadies, thanks for all your advice. I would have relatives to stay with and I’d want to take the family, even though we were there last year. We wouldn’t do Disney, but like you said, Carole, there’s so much to do. I’m getting excited about it and feel that if I went I would have to take the kids to see grandparents, it’s just convincing hubby to go after I convinced him NOT to go! :0
May 13th, 2008 at 4:34 pmIf your husband is in agreement and would be happy to let this be the
May 13th, 2008 at 8:10 pmfamily vacation, I would go to the free one! You’ll get to see
family too. It sounds like you really want to go.
You can stay with family for FREE!! And so, if the cost of gas is less than you’d spend
for staying on another vacation, then it will be more frugal too. Instead of Disney, have
some lazy days at the beach, look up some free sightseeing destinations, pick a neat restaurant
the kids will love or plan a party with your relatives. To have some famiy private time, you could
pick an inexpensive destination on the way home that looks fun and stay on a weeknight or go camping!Yes, ask your husband. If he is on board, you can really make this fun and stretch the budget combining the conference, family reunion and fun! Do plan time for rest so you won’t feel
the need for another vacation when you get home. If it does end up being a whirlwind of fun, you can
plan a day or two at the end for all of you to relax at home, sleep in, and go to a pool in your area or something that rejuvenates all of you.
I’m going backwards; so now I’ll go catch up on the other posts from the last 2 days.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:12 pmGreat thoughts, Angela. We last year on the way back we stayed in Pensacola. I was so freaked out by the fact you could see the ocean if you looked to your right AND left, that I couldn’t enjoy myself. All I could think of was TSUNAMI! Next time we’ll plan a beach vacation closer to the mainland!
May 13th, 2008 at 8:12 pmWow, you already saw my post! You must be laughing at all my emails.
And check the weather of course! 
May 13th, 2008 at 8:14 pmOh that is neat, I’ve been to Pensicola once. I would make sure to go
somewhere that does relax you.
Uh oh. I just noticed that EVERYONe can see on the side bar that I’m the one leaving tons of posts tonight. :>
May 13th, 2008 at 8:15 pmIf you can go and enjoy yourself (and not worry about home too much), then I say go for it. It sounds like fun and learning experience. Cindi
May 13th, 2008 at 11:47 pmThe cost of gas is making me rethink even simple errands, but you have to weigh that against the opportunity you have and the likelihood of ever having the same opportunity again. It does sound like a great chance to meet interesting people and I’d look forward to hearing what you have to write about it. Ultimately, though, I think God will give you the right direction.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:02 pmGina, you mentioned staying in Pensacola on your way back last year. This might be too far out of your way, but I highly recommend the Savannah, St. Simons Island area on the Georgia coast. You would have the ocean, great seafood restaurants, and lots and lots of history. Just a thought!
May 14th, 2008 at 8:07 pmThis is an INCREDIBLE opportunity for you and your ministry (what you do does minister to others). If you can swing it in any way, shape, or form I would say GO FOR IT. How many times does an opportunity like this come along.
Besides, when is it…we are headed up (yep, when you are in Ft. Lauderdale everything is up) to Orlando at the end of June…
Take Care,
May 15th, 2008 at 5:13 pmMelissa