Re: [AGA-mcm] ACA Spy Report, lessons to learn #126, "purpose ofthe convention"

["Phil Edwards" <biotypical@hotmail.com>]

Erik,

Thank you for posting that info about the ACA convention issues.  Like Scott 
said, there's always room for Jello-O or an interesting discussion.  As long 
as the two don't mix and the walls get messy.

Coming from a small club that is interested in doing a regional/national 
convention-thing in order to get a jump start in funds I totally understand 
the angst of the St. Louis (and other) folks regarding extra-convention 
selling.  This is a serious issue which I'm glad we're discussing now before 
it becomes an open issue.  While the AGA may not be in the business of 
making money off the conventions a show like this can be an extremely 
significant windfall for some clubs.

Cheryl, yes, people make a LOT of money selling fish, especially cichlids.  
I know breeders who've made thousands of dollars selling discus at such 
shows and Africans aren't far behind.

Like everyone said, we can't (and shouldn't), try to control selling from 
rooms.  I think that would just anger folks more and create the problem 
we're trying to avoid.  If it becomes a problem we could/should try to 
encourage such folk to share the wealth.  Some sort of advertising or some 
such deal for a percentage of their take wouldn't be bad.

Thankfully, I think the plant folks have a lot of respect for what the AGA + 
Locals go through to put the show together and tend to want to support that 
effort.  Also, I think the lack of effort necessary to grow the cuttings 
keeps the folks from feeling "needy" and the resulting desire to make their 
money back is mitigated.  Most of the folks I know are bringing their trash 
or leftovers (cuttings) v. their prized fry that have cost all sorts of time 
and money to raise and ship.  It's not like the folks who bring plants 
aren't going to have an excess again in a few weeks/months anyway and 
there's always Aquabid or the like for private use.  Finally, unlike fish 
shows the vast majority of folks selling stuff aren't making their living 
growing and selling plants.  Many of the folks selling out of their rooms 
(or making the most $$$) are importers/breeders who view this as a leg up in 
their annual financial gain and really have a lot at stake.  Fortunately we 
don't seem to have that problem yet.

Personally, I see it as most of my job to make sure we have quality vendors 
who are willing to donate a lot to the AGA for the auctions.  If I can keep 
doing so I think we'll avoid the worst of the Greeds.

This is getting long enough.

Best,
Phil


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