Re: 2014 AIS Convention

[DonnaDonLowry@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/10/2012 10:01:40 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
pwgossett@juno.com writes:

Good Evening Folks,

The weekend of December 3 & 4, 2011, I had the pleasure of meeting with the 
Delaware Valley Iris Society at their winter board meeting in Pennsylvania. 
 After they concluded their board meeting they allowed me to tell them my 
thoughts about them hosting an AIS Convention in their area and what AIS can 
do to assist them.  We discussed all aspects of hosting a convention and had 
volunteers to be the Chairperson, Guest Iris Chair, Transportation Chair, 
and Treasurer all from the area.  We also discussed 4 or 5 gardens that might 
be on tour along with local non iris gardens and historical attractions 
that could be used as an optional tour.  They would like to receive guest 
plants but, will have to have a limitation on the number and also 2014 would be 
too soon for them if they would be receiving guest plants.

We also discussed financial concerns and obligations.  I believe their 
greatest concern is how much of a role would AIS be willing to take in both 
manpower and financial.  On the financial side the hotel is the biggest expense 
of a convention.  I believe if AIS would be willing to sign the hotel 
contract and take on the financial responsibility of the hotel we might have a 
convention site on the east coast probably not in 2014 but, maybe 2016 or 2017. 
 They are thinking about it now and will make a decision by the end of 
January.  I am hoping for a positive response from them on hosting an AIS 
Convention.

My question to the AIS Board is....  Would AIS be willing to sign the hotel 
contract and take on the financial responsibility of the hotel?  I would 
estimate the cost of the hotel expenses would be about $25,000. 

I would like to have your suggestions as to what I need to do and what role 
will AIS have in this convention and also future conventions.

Thank you,

Paul

Greetings:
 
I am not a member of the AIS Board, but as RVP for Region 2, here are my 
thoughts.
 
As membership continues to schrink, many of our clubs have only 8-15 active 
members. Each year our members grow older, and we're not attracting enough 
new younger members. If AIS wants to continue to have national conventions, 
then AIS needs to step up to the plate and provide greater support to those 
Regions who are willing to host a national convention.
 
Donna Lowry

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