I'm not nor will I ever be a dealer, but they pay their fair share already with the cost of their tables. Also, to suggest that locals should be forced to purchase rooms is never going to happen. Might as well wish for the sun to implode.

However, I "don't" think that the idea of the club purchasing the required rooms at whatever the negotiated rate is and then disbursing them is a horrible idea. In the alternative, buying up any unsold room nights (if it comes to that) to ensure the quota is met may be a better idea. The costs can simply be passed along with higher convention entry fees.

The convention as a whole does not need to be a money maker as long as it also is not a money loser. However fees are raised, it should simply be enough to cover all expenses. The goal should be simply not to lose money. The club should not imho be trying to profit off the backs of the members.

I brought this up once before, but I believe club membership should add several tiers. One tier for no club magazine and one tier to include the magazine. Fundage for the convention should be a part of the member fees and then entry into the convention would then be free. Perhaps $20 for no magazine and $35 with the magazine. Less members getting the magazine means lower overall costs for production, printing and shipping and the extra funds would all go towards making the convention easier to organize and plan. I don't expect any of this to come to fruition though.

My 2 cents...