Hello all,
At the AIS Fall board meeting, the decision whether or not to print and provide calendars for sale was deferred until early in 2016.
Information provided by John Ludi indicates that we had 1000 copies of the 2016 calendar printed and to date have sold 742 calendars.
Our breakeven point was close to 500 calendars as John mentioned, and that happened near the end of November 2015.
The cost for 2016 calendars was $1849 for 1000, compared to $1811 for 750 of 2017 calendars. So, the price has gone up a bit, but not dramatically.
We did have the 2016 calendars available at the Portland convention, and sold 126 calendars there. But, if we have them available in Newark, there will be an added shipping cost that was not required in Portland.
After the convention in Portland, there were total sales of only 5 calendars through the summer until September. The large sales months were November (230 sold), December (205 sold), May (126 sold), October (105 sold).
Other months were much lighter sales months, although February was next with sales of 35 calendars. So, the primary months for sales last year were Oct, Nov, Dec, and the outlier of May. But, we have to recognize that we also had a large convention in Portland, with 2-3 times the attendance that is expected in Newark, so we might guess that sales in May this year will be lower than last year. And, again, it will cost us some money to ship them to Newark (and back if not sold). I don't know what the timing might be to have calendars available for clubs that want them for their shows. John Ludi might be able to answer that, and of course, depends on when the calendar is ready for printing.
So, based on 2016 calendar sales, and the convention in Newark, it would seem that the bulk of calendar sales will occur late in the year this year, unless we market them more aggressively to affiliates, etc. for their shows and sales, and the timing and marketing works.
And, if 2017 sales follow the 2016 pattern, Dwayne is correct in that it is a large upfront investment now, with the bulk of the revenue return late in the year.
750 copies does appear to be the correct number to print, if the calendar is approved for printing.
Thanks,
Gary
Gary E. White
President, American Iris Society
701 Old Cheney Rd.
Lincoln, NE 68512
(402) 421-6394
From: Michelle Snyder <102x@rewrite.aisboard.org>
To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 11:39 PM
Subject: [AISdiscuss] Amended motion retgarding purchase of 2017 calendars
John Jone amended his motion and Michelle Snyder seconded that
amendment. As such the amended motion is now out for discussion.
"That the AIS Board approve a purchase of 750 copies of the 2017 calendar at a cost of $1811.00"
Michelle
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