98 replies to this topic

[drdiver]

Seriously though, we might be a little small to pull this off. When I was working up the numbers on the dive ship deal, I couldn't see us filling the thing up with members alone.
And then, you are in the position of competing with dive shops, etc. to sell spots--which means you have to advertise, yada, yada. My numbers said it would take about 10000 members to pull it off and even then you would have to seriously impact the number doing trips otherwise.

[sun50]

I have some time now to help keep this moving and get organized.
A definite location and dates are first I think.

[steelemagnolia6]

I think that it could be done with less than 10k. But the idea of a crusie for it we'd have to have a mighty big committed/paid for group....

[sun50]

Right; a cruise might eliminate a lot of people just from the financial aspect. A 1-2 day land conference would allow some to attend parts if that's all they can get away for. The reason I suggested Tampa was becuase if we meet say on Friday and Sat. morning; those that want could still dive Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, as there are several dive ops in the area, and also one in Tarpon Springs. Might even time it right for a manatee swim.
Any ideas/thoughts?
Doug

[drdiver]

That's the thing. And I think you're right, we don't need 10K for the meeting. Also remember we are growing rapidly and if we are planning on a meeting next year, we should have a lot more members to draw on by then. And when you start negotiating for hotel rates and looking at venue rental, the more participants, the better the price breaks up to a point. Although a lot of cities give a flat convention rate no matter how big they are. The other thing is the meals, a lot of convention centers require that all the food must come through the convention center. I was at a conference in Tampa last year at the convention center where the cost per meal for a box lunch was $92 for the organizing body!!!

But Doug is right. First we need to pick a location and then plan a program. Then we can look at corporate sponsors, etc. Program should be planned to some extent with the idea of corporate sponsors--for example if we do a technical program, we could look at Dive Rite, Halcyon, etc. as potential sponsors. I'm not saying we should mold our program just on that criteria, we're not talking about DEMA here! but keep it in mind in the planning.

I personally think Tampa is a great location. Good airplane connections. Doug's right, they have great night life and restaurants. And the diving idea fits really well, too.

Edited by drdiver, 20 May 2005 - 08:03 AM.

[steelemagnolia6]

sounds like it might be something in planning to me!!

Edited by steelemagnolia6, 20 May 2005 - 08:30 AM.

[drdiver]

Any other suggestions besides Tampa?

[steelemagnolia6]

It seems to me like Somewhere in FL might be our best bet. Given the fact that air fare, and location to the water is the best... Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale or something like that

[drdiver]

Fort Lauderdale would have access for diving Boynton and even West Palm.
We could rent a van and run a shuttle to the Miami airport.

[steelemagnolia6]

Good Idea!!

[drdiver]

well, we can go with two alternate locations, Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa, for now and commence with planning a program. If someone comes up with some other location we can still consider it.

Edited by drdiver, 20 May 2005 - 09:23 AM.

[sun50]

I'm OK with either location.
And Kinsella is correct: "Build it..and they will come".
If we keep it affordable to all; the more will attend. The more attending, then the better the cost/benefit ratio is to the vendors/instructors.
We have members whi; if we asked real nice, might be willing to do the CPR/BLS certs for a small fee.

[drdiver]

If we keep it affordable to all; the more will attend. The more attending, then the better the cost/benefit ratio is to the vendors/instructors.
We have members whi; if we asked real nice, might be willing to do the CPR/BLS certs for a small fee.

This is very true. Good thought!

[sun50]

If we plan for the spring, and spring training; there are lot's of locations to look at. I have a connection with Marlins front office(soon to be a family member) and just might be able to swing a pretty good deal on a Marlins game. Opening week is in April, prior to that they train in Jupitor.
Just a thought.

[steelemagnolia6]

with the month of march we have to watch for Spring break!!!!