Jim-

I think you bring up a good point. I fully support a registration fee for the Convention. I'm talking about a nominal $10-$25 fee. I attend several Conventions each year and most of them have registration fees ranging from $300-$500.

Right now all the money the dealers pay for tables barely cover our expenses of putting on the Convention. This will probably be the first year we will make more than a nominal profit. The only reason we will do well this year is because of the great deal we got from the Trop. The dealers have been hit with a table fee increase two years in a row, we can't expect this to continue. The cost of doing Conventions is going up every year.

Basic economics prove we can't continue to grow as a Club unless we start generating some income. The dues we pay as members barely cover the cost of the Club magazine. Other than the Convention where can we raise money?

The members Wednesday night reception costs us about $7000 in food expense and it didn't last 45 minutes. We had about 500 people attend. This works out to $14 per person out of the $20 dues. If you assume that many of the attendees are also associates you could have a member ($20) and an associate ($5) pay a total of $25 in dues and their food cost is $28.

There are so many expenses that most don't realize. $800 for badges, $600 for table clothes, $4000 for tables, $1200 for signage, $3000 for security and many other items most don't consider. If we ever hope to have enough money to buy manufacturer records, do some serious promotion or advertising to attract new members, or many other things members have suggested, we have to raise money.

I know this may not be a popular suggestion but I think it should be thrown out for debate. I think we need as a Club to agree to a long range plan of fundraising and of course a plan as to what the money can best be used for. I think if the members were in favor the Board would jump at the opportunity to formulate a long range plan.

To borrow your line...."that's my two bits worth".

Wayne