|
|
|
() Now, I'm not quite like most people my age - to give you an example, I first even thought of looking at casino chips after watching some of the Special Features on the original "Ocean's 11" DVD (which showed some of the chips used in 1960 and gave a little history of the hotels featured in the movie) and when there was a teeeeeeeeeensy weeeeeeeeeensy little box on eBay's main page that listed hot collectables - casino chips being somewhere toward the middle of the list. I definitely have a more refined/professional attitude and thought process than most people my age.
I've never really spoken up about the club, mostly because I never felt it was my place as I've never truly participated in any club functions other than paying my annual dues. However, since this subject hits fairly close to home, I feel inclined to speak up.
Judging by conversations I've seen on here and pictures of the conventions, it appears that Von is one of the younger members of the group, even though by my estimates he is probably in his mid to late thirties. I'm certainly not trying to offend anyone or step on toes, but from what little I have been directly exposed to, we do have a hobby with a, shall we say, rather 'established' membership. Not that that is a bad thing, but it can be changed and, for the club to continue successfully into the future, needs to.
I think that one of the first things that needs to be done is a re-vamp of the club site, perhaps the ease of finding information more specifically. While the site is designed fairly well, to really attract a younger membership, it could probably be made a little more interactive. For example - flash animations. If anyone is watching the Ocean's 11 special features, you might have found a hidden one where there is an interactive map of the Strip, similar to what Sinatra pulled out of his sleeves when planning the heist. By clicking on the casinos, you could learn more about them. Maybe we can do something like that - make it fun, interactive. Have some historical information to emphasize our history, but maybe have something almost whimsical.... like a video of a talking casino chip showing snippets of how they're made, early uses and how they've evolved. To understand and appreciate a hobby, you have to have a good understanding of what it is that the hobby is promoting.
I think another BIG step in attracting younger members is to jump on the poker bandwagon. I know that we have the poker tourney every year at the convention but there is poker being played online and in casinos every minute of every day. If there was a way to incorporate a partnership or something with an online poker server, we'd get players. Players would then see our logo on the table or on the page somewhere, theoretically look it up or click on the link, get information, like what they see and join. Or, at a poker table, you have to have a shield or cover for your cards. What if we came up with some of those - our logo on one side, website, and on the other side have a funny diagram/saying ('I lost my ___ in vegas' with the __ being a picture of a mule, or other innuendos like 'we may not be in Vegas, but we'll make it happen later' - something that will appeal to a younger mind because, face it, we like sex). Then we can start selling them on eBay, Jackpot, maybe at Spinettis or however you spell the name of the store. Or maybe, if we know any distributors, get them in the casino gift shops for a couple bucks.
One other thought I had before posting was this. I would assume that we advertise the convention in Vegas and surrounding areas prior to it taking place. Perhaps we can offer a discounted membership to attendees of the convention. An example being, we run ads to get some Vegas locals interested. At the membership table, print and have some extra copies of the most recent club magazine and, since it's one less issue that we have to print and ship, offer a discounted first year membership at the door - maybe knock it down to $25 or even $20 for a one time on site enrollment. I know if it were me, I always have discretionary money in Vegas and wouldn't be opposed to joining something like this for about $20 or so, especially when I'll be exposed to the club in such a direct way, the members and an immediate glimpse of the magazine so I'll know what to expect for the next year.
Like I said earlier, I'm not trying to step on toes or make anyone mad, but the bottom line is that if you want to attract a younger membership, you need to THINK like a younger person where, sadly, sex, drugs and rock & roll still is king. These are just a few ideas...
Robert Doyle
R-7424 (And just renewed for another year!!!)
|
|
