Re: RE The really big issue with AGA2K4

["S. Hieber" <shieber@yahoo.com>]

--- Cheryl Rogers <cheryl@wilstream.com> wrote:
> I think we should charge $69 for registration. I like the
> "convention 
> bucks" because it is fun, not because it is necessarly a
> big 
> incentive. I think we should give convention bucks to
> everyone who 
> doesn't actually register at the door.


If you give everyone bonus bucks that have to be spent at
the auction, you're basically telling everyone that they
have to bid. What if I don't wnat to bid -- I'm coming
because I want to hear Amano? I think it's better if
there's some choice, like the first 50 regs get the bucks.

sh
> 
> I don't think it will snow. 


Sorry I used snow for an example. I meant what is the full
financial risk for AGA.  Snow. Bombs. Fire. Heart Attacks.
Who knows. It's not a question of probability but of the
extent of risk that AGA is willing to take.



> 
> Scott, I understand what you are saying about keeping
> member expenses 
> down and also keeping AGA financial obligations to a
> minimum. BUT a 
> huge bonus for the Washington DC area was that so many
> people were 
> within driving distance. Does that not mean that fewer
> people will be 
> staying in the hotel? Won't more of them choose to
> commute? Or not? I 
> haven't been to Washington DC since I was eight, and I
> wasn't driving 
> then.
> 

B'more is not a close drive to WDC during the week -- rush
hour(s) log jams.  Weekend is iffier.  Actually, if we
moved the thing down to Reston we could find some nice
hotels for less but it's a little late for that, I think.

Soapbox: Last year I was focused on short term strategies,
maximize convention profit. That was good insofar as it
helped keep a number of folks in-line on spending and
helped focus the marketing folks and it was nice to earn
enough to print an issue of TAG.  But overall, I'm inlcined
to think that strategy was wrongheaded -- not for last year
when we were rising out of the 2002 convention but wrong
for 2004 where we have the 2003 model to build on (as
opposed to merely try to repeat).  Financially, conventions
aren't going to save AGA unless they promote membership. 

Off of soapbox

sh

=====
S. Hieber

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