In the end, this isn't about the hobby or about marine anything, it's about money. Sites that can pay out the money are allowed to endorse MACNA, and those that cannot are left out. It's not about the future of the hobby or any other MACNA, it's about this particular event and the dollars produced.
I must say, this short sighted attitude and the whole "Only the big money sites can play" is a real change from past shows. This may not be your intention, but is most certainly reflected in your actions. I am as neutral as can be, but every time MACNA people post, I can't help but get the impression of "RAG is not welcome until they shell out the bucks". In closing, I can only commend Patrick for sticking to his guns and not paying for the privilege of having a MACNA banner on his site.
Take a look at the listing of exhibitors and web friends. I bet you are going to be surprised.
RAG has wished you well, however you keep on going around and around with the same old crap! At least we actually went out and did some research to back ourselves up.
Why should this board even let one word about your MACNA 2007 on it? Wouldn't that be supporting an obviously messed up show? Thank God you jokers will not be in charge next year.
Interesting you used the word poisoned, as if there was any thing making you look bad or poisoning people against you, it was your own posts!
Information was laid out in a logical manner, with links and backed up but even though it was sitting there staring everyone right in the face, you come back with some other BS story about how that is not true.
Hmmm, here you sit with a quarter in your hand that everyone can truly see, but yet you say it is a penny and you want everyone to believe you and go against what they know is true and has been backed up.
You must really think we are stupid. We need Steven back, at least he was halfway comical in his efforts to spin the truth!
Whatever it is you believe, whatever you think you know from things from on the internet, they are all wrong. You have found incorrect or not up to date information. In contrast, everything I have stated it true, accurate, up to date, and can be proven conclusively to be so.
Perhaps another phone call is in order to Houston!
Now, I do not know who paid for my room, but I sure didn't and it was ready when I got there on Thursday afternoon. I wonder how that is possible since I never gave them a credit card.
I did make a second phone call to the fine people in Houston and was told from a second source that they did not pay for your room. I was even given an itemized copy of the hotel bill. I don't know who paid for your room, but I am certain it was not MACNA.
Try again! This is why RAG has provided internet for the last 3 years, this is why a real human is there to admin and secure the connection. This is why we have 2-4 computers running, one monitors the connection because of internet sales!
I also called Washington D.C. MACNA guys. Their recollection was a little hazy as it has been a while, but they were sure of a few things. RAG definitely did not provide the wireless service. RAG also did not receive a free booth. You were given one of those little tabletops. And, he could not recall if you got any free registrations at all. You might have been given one or you might have been required to buy your tickets just like all the other tabletops exhibitors.
I believe what Steve was saying is that we aren't putting high dollar amounts on sponsorships and giving them names. We are negotiating sponsorship opportunities that work the best for a particular sponsor and emphasizing trades. We felt that this best fit our philosophy of providing the best possible value for everyone involved in MACNA XIX.
As for Houston, I am almost certain all of the following: Euroreef, Jelliquarium, PCL Travel, Nature's Ocean, Ocean Nutrition and ReefCentral, did not pay any money for their sponsorships. They donated services or goods for the raffle.
So, you can subtract AT LEAST $36,000 from your total, leaving them with a fairly modest MAXIMUM of $11,750, but I am fairly certain that many of the other sponsors made similar trades, so even $11,750 is probably high.
Quote:
Originally posted by scuba4life At least we actually went out and did some research to back ourselves up.
Information was laid out in a logical manner, with links and backed up but even though it was sitting there staring everyone right in the face, you come back with some other BS story about how that is not true.
Your erroneous information about MARSH's sponsorship income is a perfect example of the quality of your "research". Your implication that we will grossly profit from similar sponsorships is a perfect example of the "logical manner" in which you laid out your information. We don't have BS stories. We have accurate information from past MACNA's and our own.
This attempt at a defamation campaign is getting extremely tiresome.
As I mentioned previously, Ocean Nutrition is providing the name tag/badge holders. World Wide Imports is providing the show with natural sea water. And, I am in discussions with two other vendors, one to provide deionized water and the other to provide bags for attendees to carry around their program and other goodies they pick up. These are our sponsors. No one is giving us money.
$47,750 
:jawdrop: 
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