Amber wrote: >I thing what everyone is ignoring here is that for those of us in the US, or >others near by, is the distance issue. ... Maybe what we need here is to split >the convention into two >conventions. . > >My other problem with the convention is the timing. For those of us >(admittedly not many) with children still in school it does present a problem >of timing. .... If you want to attract new, younger lacemakers you need to >consider >this. Any high school/college age lacemaker would most likely not be able to >attend if they could afford it due to timing restrains from school. Everyone >wants to attract the new lacemakers so they can carry on the art but most of >your accommodations are centered on the older lace makers. How about we do both >when planning the next convention? Both groups could learn from each other.
Dear Amber, et al, I don't think there are that many people who attend IOLI every year. The convention travels around the country, depending on the lace group presenting it. I suspect, although I have no evidence, that those on either coast have more attendance because they are closer to more people, who would be more likely to come, but wherever it is, it draws the 'local' people. Would late July work better? It may be that moving the date a bit in the summer would entice some who don't come to IOLI. One nice thing is that there is little complaint about the cost of the teachers. They work very hard for not a whole lot of money. Thank you teachers, you are a dedicated bunch, much more interested in passing on your knowledge than making money. At issue is the cost of the other aspects of the IOLI convention. It would be very interesting to see if a change in venue, perhaps to a school, would result in more or different people coming. Expensive conventions have had classes in bedrooms. Even fancy hotel food will not please everyone. Reduce the cost, and people have said they would be more likely to come. What criteria can be dispensed with in order to reduce the price, and will this reduction increase attendance? No one has the answer yet. Let us always remember that nothing that is done will please everyone. Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA where I want spring to warm up. "My email sends out an automatic message. Arachne members, please ignore it. I read your emails." - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
