Will YOU play in Peoria?
Since the vaudeville era, Peoria, Illinois has been the stereotypic test of presenters of all stripes. Only a few short hours, more or less, from Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Madison, and Iowa City, Peoria has long served as a great central location to test out new material, so why shouldn't that be Sherlockian material? 2027 will mark the fiftieth anniversary of Peoria's own scion society, the Hansoms of John Clayton, and we'll be celebrating at the time of year John Clayton drove his hansom cab in The Hound of the Baskervilles with this day of as many Sherlockian talks as we can cram in. Five minutes, ten minutes, fourteen and a half minutes . . . fifteen is just the upper limit for going on about whatever Sherlockian subject fills your heart with joy. We want to hear all about it!
What is a Midwester Sherlockian Speakers Invitational?
A full day of presentations for the Sherlock Holmes fan. (Or as many as we can get.)
What kind of speaking are we talking about?
Whatever you can do behind a podium with a microphone and no Powerpoint slides. (But no poetry. Sorry, poets!). Read a paper, do stand-up comedy, debate, tell a story . . . with a hard fifteen minute limit and no minimum length.
Why are you doing this?
Two reasons: To see how low cost a Sherlockian conference can be and to offer a speaking opportunity to anyone who wants a live venue. First timers encouraged!
What’s the day look like?
The main program will run 10:00 to 12 and 1:30 to 4:30. If all of the time slots for speakers fill up in those ranges, additional time slots will be opened up. We’re going to cram as many speakers into this day as we can!
Will there be lunch? A banquet?
Keeping this as low budget as possible, so no. There will be a restaurant at the venue and a dozen food options within a mile or two, so you’ll have options to fit your budget and dietary needs.
How much does it cost?
You ever hear of conferences that don’t charge speakers? You’re our guest if you’re speaking, and you’re invited to speak. No charge for attending.
How do I sign up?
Just use this handy form or email sherlockpeoria@gmail.com and answer the following questions:
- Do you want to speak at GHTT?
- What’s your name?
- What’s your topic?
- Is the length of your talk 5, 10, or 15 minutes?
Can I attend and not talk?
Yes, but there is going to be a sixty attendee limit for our Midwest Sherlockian Speakers Invitational. Non-speaker signups will also be no charge, but only available after the main speaker times have filled up or June 1, 2027, whichever comes first.
What’s the hotel situation?
The Holiday Inn & Suites at Grand Prairie in Peoria will be hosting the conference. No room block yet, as you can reserve a conference room long before a room block. It’s in an area with a variety of hotel choices, though.
Does Peoria have an airport?
Don’t be silly, of course we do. But being within a three-hour drive of Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis makes Peoria a nice central hub for Midwesterners who want a no-fly weekend event, and Midwesterners are our target audience.
Should we bring our whole crew?
While we’re not going to put pressure on individual speakers, there will be an award for “Best Talks from a Sherlockian Society” for any society that wants to compete and get some reputation or do some team-building, whether that society is represented by one person or five.
