You are also asking RAG to pay $900.00 for a booth.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You are welcome to visit our complementary booth at MACNA (wink).