Convention

["Karen Randall" <krandall@world.std.com>]

Forwarded from the BAS mailing list:

--- In bostonaquariumsociety@yahoogroups.com, MICHIKO KITA
<michikokita@e...> wrote:
> I would be really really really happy to help too. I wanted to go to
> Texas for the convention, but it was too far for me. And as you know, I
> like helping! :)

Thanks to all who have offered to help.  But what we would need most is
someone to run it.  The AGA can provide guidance, will cover the up-front
expenses, and extra hands during the convention itself.  But obviously,
someone local has to be the point person. (or committee)

The convention has been in late Oct. or early Nov. so far.  That isn't set
in stone, but would work our perfectly with the annual BAS event timing.
What I had suggested when we discussed this in the past was that the BAS
contribute the amount that they would normally pay for their hall rental
toward the event.  In exchange, they would be able to run their typical
general aquarium auction on Sunday afternoon, with the income from that
auction would go to the BAS.

The AGA's fund raiser part of the event is a silent auction of plants and
some donated dry goods from manufacturers, but there are no fish, used
equipment or the other things we typically see at an aquarium club auction.

The AGA BOD is currently doing up a bid sheet for the convention, which
local clubs can use to see if they want to/are able to host the event.
While obviously BAS is welcome to bid on hosting the event for any year they
want, we are particularly interested to find a "home" for the 2003
convention.  We had a couple of possibilities that look like they have
fallen through.

I know Dallas is interested in hosting 2004, but of course, as I mentioned,
we will accept bids from any club.  Dallas sounds like in a pinch, they
would step up and do the 2003 convention rather than see if not happen at
all.  But none of us (including that group) are sure that it would be best
to do the convention in Texas 2 years in a row.

If it is an added incentive, I have been told that it is very likely that we
could get Christel Kasselmann as the major speaker for the 2003 convention.
This would be the first time that Christel speaks in North America, and
should be a big draw for the convention, coming on the heels of the release
of her book in English.

I think that it could be a win-win proposition.  The BAS holds its event in
that time frame anyway.  While it is more work than a one day auction, it
also brings speakers to New England that most BAS members have not had the
opportunity to hear.  The AGA conventions have brought between 75 and 125
people from all areas of the North America, and a few from other countries
together in areas where there is NO local aquarium club.  And almost all of
these people had to fly in. (or drive LONG distances)

When you think of how many active aquarium club people we have in the
northeast, we could end up with a really big convention.  While some of
those will need to fly out on Sunday, I suspect that many will be interested
in staying to participate in the BAS live auction as well.  Think of how
much money that NEC brings in through its auction.

Give it some thought, and let me know.  When the AGA BOD gets the bid sheet
done, I'll forward a copy to the BAS BOD.

Karen

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