Convention +/-

[Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com>]

OK, just getting down a few thoughts post-convention before I forget them.
I should say right off the bat that I liked the convention.  Claus' talk 
rocked as expected, and Chuck did a surprisingly seasoned job for a 
first-time speaker.  Kathy and I both enjoyed talking with all the people 
there the entire weekend, and we got lots of help from folks like Scott H. 
and Cavan.  Clearly Val & Luis & Charlene killed themselves putting this 
thing on.  But...

Here are some of the bits where we chould improve next year:

* Local club involvement:  Kathy told me that in talking to the president
of the Houston club, she learned that they, as well as the DFW plant club,
all had offered to help run the convention, but were never contacted.

* Local club perks: Valerie (I think) mentioned to me that the local
Houston club was annoyed because they were not offered a discount
convention rate.  Because of this, there was virtually no attendance of 
the local club. Her opinion was "Hey, they already don't have to pay for 
hotel rooms or plane fares!"

   CONCLUSION: These two seem related.  Perhaps an exchange, discount
               registration in exchange for assistance?

* High amount of new people, low amount of repeat visitors.  Also evident 
was that half our management committee wasn't even present, where nearly 
all have been at the previous two conventions.  Why were there so few 
repeat visitors?

* The banquet Saturday night was very nice, as was Friday's BBQ.  Not sure
if the three other meals were necessary though.  Wonder how much they 
cost?

* I think that the collecting trip that Claus & a handful of folks went on
earlier in the week would have brought a lot more people into the
convention, perhaps even a day early?  We should seriously consider adding
"local collecting" to any future conventions in the south (Florida
anyone?).

* Consulting on speakers.  Why did they have that Kent guy there?  He gave 
a 10-minute commercial, but the AGA paid for his hotel & food, yes?  Did 
Kent have a booth or sponsorship, or otherwise give any form of support 
to the AGA? 

* Cost was still high.  There's got to be a way to supplement or reduce 
this.  I really think we could double the attendence just by getting that 
convention rate down.

* Financials need to be shared with the board, especially the treasurer, 
as part of the bid process.

* Advertising.  Need a *real* brochure, one that would attract people, and 
need to have it produced earlier than 3 months before the event.

* Clique-ishness.  Still happening.  Plant people are ridiculously shy.  
If we, the board guys, don't come up and sit at their table and talk to 
them, we perpetuate this myth.  To whit, Cavan and Scott were really 
friendly & immensely helpful to me and Kathy setting up A/V gear, probably 
because we picked them up from the airport & spent a few hours with them 
before the convention started.

OK, 'nuff for now.
 
  - Erik

PS: Video already 1/3 done.  Sound on Claus' talk sucked, sorry to say.  
But visuals should be great as everyone has given me their digital slides
to drop in.

-- 
Erik Olson
erik at thekrib dot com