The issue of having the convention somewhere other than Las Vegas does not discussed, it gets shouted about and someone always gets unfriendly. So I am going to help you all out. I think there are two separate issues, one having a chipper event in the eastern part of the country, second-having the convention somewhere other than Vegas.

I believe a chipper event could be held somewhere other than the west. BUT, 'could' does not make it easy to do. It would take a lot of work. A chip fair has a model in place (see Munding and CTs) efforts. But someone would need to step up and do the work. I have said that there could be a psuedo-club gathering (a mini convention) in several potential places (obviously AC is an example, but Chicago, Memphis/Tunica, New Orleans/Houston/Gulfcoast, Deadwood, Colorado, or Florida come to mind as well-these are areas with large groups of collectors or gaming or both).Phillip, if you feel strongly about having a an Eastern event, I support you dude, let me know how it goes (I may try to make it).

The Eastern event does not need to be a mirror of the Vegas event. Imagine doing an event in Memphis/Tunica. There would be plenty of gaming (also more nearby), but BBQ and the Blues, Elvis Home, beautiful country. But to do anything needs somebody to stand up and agree to lead and work their tail off for a year or more. If a group was willing to step up, then would be the time to go to the board and say we will need a financial committment fromm the board.

The bigger idea of having the Convention someplace other than Las Vegas is a bigger challenge. Not un doable, but quite daunting. The lead time would be more, if you had a team in place today, you could present the proposal to the board and have time for them to make a reasoned decision for 2010 conv. I say that because 2008 is already set, and they are negotiating 2009 now. But think two years from start to conv. While the guidelines are a good roadmap, some of the specifics are alterable (they've been alterred). Problem is, plenty of folks want to talk about it being somewhere else, nobody seems to step up and say I WILL DO THE WORK.

As for hiring staff to administer any part of the club is a bit excessive for our size. $100 membership for this type of hobby is also unrealistic. If we had 4or5k active members then we may be getting close to discussing having an executive dir/staff person, but that is another fistfight.

Personally, I would like it to stay in Vegas, I like to visit Vegas. But the fact remains, till somebody is willing to do the work, Archie is right, 'won't happen'.