Hello Steven:
Patrick asked me to deal with the chore of RAG and the next MACNA.
I am surprised so much communication has transpired with no resolution to the participation of RAG and the support of your MACNA.
1) The numbers posted for membership to various sites is grossly misleading.
I believe RAG is the only marine aquarium related web site that periodically culls inactive members.
If RAG did not cull inactive members I believe there would be something like 40,000 +/-members listed for RAG.
The 8700+ are actual and active users.
Check the numbers of touted members vs. posts and threads with the information you provided. RAG's membership numbers are real.
2) I think you will agree that RAG's membership is perhaps the tighest core of marine keepers on the net. All the folks that infect aquarium sites with endless debating, fighting and personal attacks are gone. IMO, RAG has a membership that is best.
3) At past MACNA and IMAC events, RAG offered banners and the use of this board for promotion of these shows. This in return for a complementary booth, electrical and accomodations. Entrance passes for 5 are included for RAG personell and VIP RAG guests. The accomodations are for two rooms.
Traditionally RC asks for as many as 30 passes. Granted RC has a larger user base. Perhaps about 20,000 acutal users.
4) RAG provides multiple web cams to bring live video and audio to aquarists that are not able to attend these events. No other site offers this service. This draws great positive attention to the event, event planners, hosting club, etc.
5) RAG will provide a banner from now until the MACNA show dates. RAG will provide access to any and all (that abide by RAG rules of conduct) to post and/or promote MACNA. At the event RAG will provide web camera coverage. Advise if there are other things you would like RAG to provide?
This in exchange for: a) One complementary booth in a location of Patricks choice. This booth includes two 8' tables, 4 chairs, waste basket, electrical. b) Five complementary passes that include access to speakers and the banquet. c) Two rooms in the hotel where the event is being held.
If this is workable, it is possible Patrick might require something else.
6) What is curious to me is that you were asked to host a forum on RAG. You declined.
You were asked to participate in some discussions, you declined.
You use RAG at least two times a week. You check threads. You check archives.
It would be nice if you supported RAG, since you use the service.
7) Most of us are familiar with event planning. You are asking to use RAG to promote MACNA with little or no compensation. You are also asking RAG to pay $900.00 for a booth.
8) At this time, it looks like your group will net a minimum of $100,000.00 for this MACNA.
It is understood that if MACNA sells out all rooms in a given hotel block, you have no cost for the exhibition hall (booth spaces). I believe there is no cost for the aluminum pipe dividers and curtains used to separate booths. Thus, any and all booths in the exhibition hall cost MACNA nothing. This is 100% pure profit.
E.g. If you sell 100 booths for $900 each, that is $90,000.00
If you sell 800 tickets for $100 each, that is $80,000.00
You receive donations from various exhibitors (skimmers, tanks, etc.) these are raffeled off to attendees that purchase raffel tickets. I would estimate there is another $50,000.00 influx of cash to your treasury.
I am being generous with the numbers I have provided.
You have no print advertising costs. You will provide a complementary booth to Bowtie for printing your show guide.
Your main costs would include: honorarium and travel costs for speakers and insurance at the hotel. $4000.00 (or there abouts) to MASNA.
You will have no internet advertising or promotion costs, as you will or should trade a booth for these services.
There is nothing wrong with making a profit for earned efforts. Just don't squeeze a web site that operates at virtually no profit. This site can do you more good than $900.00 can.
Some find it offensive that the Chicago hobby club that hosted MACNA some years ago is still living well from their effort. The Houston group is still counting money.
Is there some kind of contest between MACNA hosts as to who will take in the most net profit?
It would be nice to provide all interested individuals an outside audit of where net proceeds went and to who.
No, I am not interested in promoting such an event. I have no knowledge of RAG planning such an event. These are simple observations that direct one to believe this MACNA is all about The Money.
At the same time, we continue to see posts on the internet from hobbyists that are having a difficult time supporting their chosen hobby. Has any MACNA group ever ... Given Back anything to anyone?
Considering MACNA is an internet driven event, I would think you would simply secure the services of as many marine aquarium web sites as possible.
It is understood that there are many marine sites. Most of which would not or could not afford the travel costs to exhibit at MACNA. Thus, they would be promoting your event and you would not be paying them anything.
9) This years MACNA group is applying for a 501(c)(3) tax exemption. This is a tax law to non-profit organizations. Exemptions apply to: corportations, community chest, fund or foundation, organized and operated for -- religious, charitable, scientific testing for public safety, literary or educational purposes or to foster national or international amateur sports competition, or for the prevention or cruelty to children or animals.
501(c) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Where would your MACNA fit into these regulations?
Education? I find it difficult to comprehend any new education being offered at MACNA. It includes the same speakers found in past events. Most of the speakers have already provided information on their topic content at no cost online on various sites, forums, etc.
This is tongue in cheek... How can cutting a rock into pieces be educational?
Cruelty to animals? Who is to know if a rock or coral is in pain or discomfort when someone chips away at it or uses tools to create more pieces?
There is a great difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion. Just a friendly caution to a fellow aquarist.
Summary for this post:
RAG will provide what has been requested for simple exchange of what has been provided at past MACNA & IMAC events.
If I have missed some points or been inaccurate with this post content, please provide the correct information.
You are welcome to visit our complementary booth at MACNA (wink).
Cheers. MDP