Tim -
I have already repied to you when you first asked for it through email. But I hope the New England conference is not in jeopardy! Please do not take it away. I know that if it were any further away, many of us would not be able to make it. And I just got somebody to go with me for one day this year. She loved it so much that we have another two people convinced to go this coming year. We loved it! And we are implementing many of the ideas we picked up on this coming year. I hope that you don't take it away from New England. Please say that you are having a New England show!

I'd have to say I like JHB idea of NEW ENGLAND It would be nice seeing how we pay out of pocket for event, as far as days I'd have to say for the wealth of information it wouldn't matter I'd make sure I could make it. GOOD LUCK PLANNING!!!

Tim,
Thanks for the explanation. Not having the exhibitors there would be a huge negative- financially, of course, and they also definitely add to the conference. Being able to talk to them, sample and view their products is a big plus.
[img]smile.gif[/img]

We'll continue to look at Fall dates, but there are several pretty big stumbling blocks there. Let me try to point them out:

1. As you might guess, July and August are really difficult times to reach parent group leaders (schools closed, parents away, no mag issues) so there's a real marketing challenge to having a September event. As much as we wish everyone would make their plans early, human nature says last-minute is pretty cmmon.

2. Many of our exhibitors -- without whom the price of attending would skyrocket -- are extremely busy that time of year and many couldn't make the event. Most fundraising reps are crazy in September and October with all the holiday fundraisers. Kick-offs, deliveries, etc.

So.... we're still trying to find a Fall model that will work. Won't be this Fall (we usually need 8-12 months advance). We'll see.

Thanks again for all the feedback. Really helpful.

Tim

[ 06-22-2003: Message edited by: Rockne ]</p>

I agree with those that would like to change the time of the year the conference is held. September or October (or even mid August) would be better. Enthusiasm and the morale of the PTO volunteers is so much greater at the beginning of the school year. And you'd get the added bonus of actually being able to implement some of the ideas or events you've learned about at the conference for that year rather than waiting til the following year.

The days of the week you hold it don't really matter as much, since I would just make arrangements for being off work, day care, etc. But if most of the sessions for the 2 days are the same, I'd probably attend only one day. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Friday/Saturday would be good. It would REALLY be great if you did one closer to Georgia.
Donna