1Good morning everyone,
2and welcome to the 2nd Annual Wullaballoo Conference on Mastering Computer Languages.
3I hope you all had a good trip.
4Before we get underway with today's programme,
5let me fill you in as to what's on tap for tomorrow,
6Sunday, February 19th.
7At 9 am right here in the Main Hall,
8we'll be hearing a lecture from Dr John Smith about "Computer as Teacher".
9Professor Smith, from the University of Melbourne,
10is a world-class expert in the field of computer-assisted education,
11and his talk promises to be both stimulating and informative.
12Immediately afterwards, at 10:30,
13there'll be a presentation of papers by various delegates.
14That, however, will take place in the Garden Room on the ground floor.
15If you don't yet know,
16the Garden Room is also called the Ballroom,
17and we'll be gathering at the west end,
18the slightly raised area called Level 2.
19Just look for the crowd.
20If you get lost, there are signs in the foyer.
21After all that thinking, talking, and listening,
22I expect everyone will be a bit weary.
23So at 11:15,
24there will be a break for coffee, cookies, and other light refreshments.
25These will be available at the aptly named Refreshment Stand,
26placed by the door back here in the Main Hall.
27Also, if you choose to skip the formal lunch,
28you can buy a packed lunch at the stand for a reasonable price.
29I strongly urge you, however, to join us at the formal lunch.
30That won't be till one o'clock sharp,
31so you have time to stroll about town a bit.
32We'll be eating at the Sea View Restaurant.
33The restaurant is located right here in the hotel, on the top floor.
34It's a good dozen flights of stairs,
35so I suggest you take the lift on the ground floor, eh?
36If you're not fond of fish,
37there's an all-you-can-eat barbecue available as well.
38They even offer wallaby meat!
39After lunch, we'll troop back downstairs to Level 2 in the Ballroom
40for the presentation of further papers,
41which will begin at 2 pm.
42Please try to be on time.
43I know you'll be a bit tired after lunch,
44but the Ballroom echoes so with people coming in late.
45Thank you in advance.
46Once we've heard the papers,
47we'll break for afternoon tea at 3:10 p.m.
48No need to walk.
49The manager of the refreshment stand has graciously agreed to have tea served in the Ballroom.
50He's even promised us some special scones, baked from a recipe of his dear old Scottish grandmother.
51Then, tea being drunk and scones munched,
52we'll retire here to the Main Hall for some closing remarks and questions.
53So, by 5 o'clock we should have the conference wrapped up.
54But the fun isn't over!
55This is Australia mates!
56We'll be flocking to the hotel's own Palm Lounge on the east side of the foyer for an informal reception.
57You can relax, mingle with the other delegates, and let your hair down a bit.
58This will run from 5:10 to 6:10, though you're free to stay as long as you like.
59The lounge manager has informed me that, for the duration of the actual reception,
60you can have all-you-can-drink beer for $20 with purchase of an advance ticket.
61And, yes, tickets can be purchased from any conference organiser
62or at the front desk anytime between now and the start of the reception.
63I suggest you come by tomorrow evening to pick up the tickets
64since the conference hall only holds 800 people.
65That way, you can also get your journey planned ahead of time
66and be sure not to miss this truly memorable conference.
67If you want cocktails, however, I'm sorry.
68You'll have to pay for those at the regular price.
69Oh my goodness! Speaking of paying,
70I see I forgot to tell you a couple of things.
71The first is about lunch.
72The charge for the lunch will be $15 for all you delegates.
73If you have guests with you,
74the cost is $25 for the general public,
75and $6.50 for children under the age of 10.
76That's $15 each, not total for everyone!
77Another item is about the lunch menu.
78I very much urge you to try the fish.
79I mean, look at the restaurant's name: Sea View.
80As the name suggests, it is a famous seafood restaurant.
81The chef is a Basque from Spain,
82and he really gets quite put out when people ignore his fish specialities for burgers or barbecue.
83If fish isn't your thing though, try the steak,
84he makes an exquisite Filet mignon topped with bleu cheese and mushrooms.
85Finally, if you'd like to buy a ticket,
86you can have both lunch and unlimited beer for $35.
87I should have mentioned that earlier,
88but I am a bit forgetful.
89Maybe I should avoid the beer after the conference, eh?
90Well, I've said my bit. Are there any questions?