Re: 2013 AIS Convention

["R. Dennis Hager" <hager@aredee.com>]

Paul,
As the "organizational gadfly", I believe the difficulty in finding a 
location for the AIS convention is structural. Except for your expertise in 
lining up conventions and assisting the host organization, the input from 
the AIS is minimal. Putting a convention, regional or "mini" convention 
together is a monumental task with a very steep learning curve. Each step is 
critical and requires the participation of able and willing volunteers. Add 
to that all the fiefdoms that exist with the AIS and the sponsoring 
organization. It doesn't take long to figure out that when we ask a Region 
or Club to host a convention, we are asking someone to walk through a 
minefield blindfolded.

What do we really expect of the Host organization? Here's the short list:
  1.  Provide Gardens
  2.  Take Financial Risk
  3.  Market the event
  4.  Plan and coordinate with volunteers
  5.  Execute the whole thing

Most people join plant societies out of a passion for the PLANT, not because 
of their management expertise. Until the AIS Board decides to take the 
reins, recognizes the Convention as an asset and manages it as such, this 
problem will never go away.

I belong to other organizations that recognize the importance of Conventions 
and/or Annual meetings. They are quite successful. They make money. 
Attendance is always high. However, their executive director is actively 
involved in the planning and marketing of the event.

This little rant does nothing to address our short-term problem, but unless 
the structural problems are addressed, this problem will continue.

Dennis Hager
(who is going back in his hole)



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul W Gossett" <pwgossett@juno.com>
To: <aisdiscuss@aisboard.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 11:28 PM
Subject: [AISdiscuss] 2013 AIS Convention


> DEAR FELLOW AIS MEMBERS,
>
>
> Well, it is March 25, 2010 and I still have not received an invitation
> from any iris organization to host the 2013 AIS Convention.  This is very
> critical in that the Beardless Guest Plants will need to be received by
> that site this Fall of 2010.  So I am asking all of you to talk it over
> with your regions and local societies about hosting a convention and
> contact me if you are interested in discussing a
> convention with me for 2013.  The current up coming conventions are as
> follows,  2010 Madison, WI, 2011 Victoria, BC Canada, and
> 2012 Ontario, CA.
>
> I am thinking about the possibility of asking a section or cooperating
> society in co sponsoring a convention with AIS.  What do you think?
>
> I have contacted some areas of the country about hosting the convention
> but, I have not had an invitation from anyone.
>
> If you would like additional information as to what are the requirements
> and what it takes to host a convention, please contact me.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Paul W. Gossett
> AIS Convention Liaison
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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