The cult of the conference bag

doi:10.1136/bmj.a2677

Published 16 December 2008, doi:10.1136/bmj.a2677
Cite this as: BMJ 2008;337:a2677

Feature

Christmas 2008: Professional Considerations

The cult of the conference bag

Frank D Burke, professor

¹ Pulvertaft Hand Unit, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, Derby DE1 2QY

frank.burke@virgin.net

Never mind the conference, what about the bag? asks Frank DBurke

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The small things in life are important, and as a seasoned conferenceattendee my first rush of excitement is at the registrationdesk. After I have felt that frisson of panic (did I rememberto register?) the registrar acknowledges my efficient planningand reaches under the desk for the conference bag.

Many of us have spent hours planning the scientific contentof congresses, but the choice of bag is often seen as of marginalimportance. This could not be further from the truth; carefullychosen, the bag may become a cherished possession—an everlastingmonument to the congress, living witness to the InternationalCongress of Palmistry (Zagreb, 2001), displayed by the proudowners at work and on planes and trains. However, immortalityof this nature is illusive—course members are discriminating,and "cult bag" status must be earned.

(1) Course organisers must be discreet in terms of logo, andletters may be . . . [Full text of this article]

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Aitken, H. A (2009). Choir bag(s) in second life. BMJ 338: b294-b294 [Full text]
Cottingham, R. L (2009). Ditch the bag and be green. BMJ 338: b295-b295 [Full text]
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Monsieurs, K. G (2009). The useless orange congress bag. BMJ 338: b298-b298 [Full text]

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