To All,
I have posted various notes throughout the BB giving MY opinions why I am against a convention sponsored seminar on slabbing. I thought I would post one note bringing together my opinions on why a seminar would be bad.

I respect Michael Knapp very much. However, in this particular case I disagree with him. The slabbing companies do not offer education - they offer a service. We as collectors want to be educated but will be given propaganda for purchasing their product instead. Education involves the learning of concepts such as was taught at last years seminars. The only concepts involved in a slabbing seminar from the position of the slabbers would be "How do I get these people to buy our product?" This is not education. This is "bullsh..."

A seminar on slabbing will not "educate" anyone. It will be a free forum for the slabbing companies to advertise their products.

I have always believed formal education is important. However, a one or two hour seminar involving a topic such as slabbing will,in my opinion, accomplish nothing. From an awareness position it will fail. You see those who represent the slabbing companies know this.However, if I were them I would attend it simply because it brings their product to the attention of those who MIGHT want it.

People, let's not make it easy for them. Let them come up with the money to hold seminars. Let them "educate" from their bourse table. Are we so stupid as to provide a free forum FOR THEM to sell their product?

They have nothing to lose. We, as a club, have EVERYTHING to lose. Our current officers let them in. Let's not make it easier for them. Of course compromise under these circumstances is out of the question. In order to have compromise BOTH sides must have an investment. It is our hobby so we have ourselves invested. What do they have invested - a chance for future sales. Give me a break!!!!

Fight them! The hobby you save may be your own.