[Lnc-business] Financial implications of canceling in-person convention

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

I want to add that Colorado usually loses money the past few years of
conventions because (in my opinion) they spend a ridiculous amount of money
putting it on, so they had the first profitable "convention" in a while.
It certainly can happen.  It is a shitty way for it to happen.  And for
states that count on this as a fundraiser for a future, count on a push to
never have a convention again.

*In Liberty,*

* Personal Note:  I have what is commonly known as Asperger's Syndrome
(part of the autism spectrum).  This can affect inter-personal
communication skills in both personal and electronic arenas.  If anyone
found anything offensive or overly off-putting (or some other social faux
pas), please contact me privately and let me know. *



On Sat, May 9, 2020 at 4:21 AM Caryn Ann Harlos <caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org>
wrote:

> I believe this is less true months into this thing. Colorado had a very
> profitable cancelled convention - they had well over half donate
> their tickets but that was in March.  But I can tell you that I have $2K
> into this, and I cannot afford to simply donate.  My mortgage is in
> forbearance right now.
>
> But it is not just tickets.  It is the gala and the fundraising boost we
> get from that and the convention for then and the future.
>
> Perhaps if the past LNC did not saddle us with a $250K deficit we would
> not be in this position.  But here we are.
>
> *In Liberty,*
>
> * Personal Note:  I have what is commonly known as Asperger's Syndrome
> (part of the autism spectrum).  This can affect inter-personal
> communication skills in both personal and electronic arenas.  If anyone
> found anything offensive or overly off-putting (or some other social faux
> pas), please contact me privately and let me know. *
>
>
>
> On Sat, May 9, 2020 at 3:38 AM Susan Hogarth via Lnc-business <
> lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I know there are concerns about financial repercussions of failing to
>> hold an in-person convention. And I know state party experience doesn’t
>> necessarily translate to the national level, but I did want to share North
>> Carolina’s experience, because I do think we could see a similar
>> situation.
>>
>>
>>
>>  LPNC is a mid-sized state affiliate. Our conventions are held yearly
>> over a full weekend and typically draw 70-100 delegates. They typically
>> break even money-wise, pulling in money through a fundraiser if we manage
>> it right.
>>
>>
>>
>>   At the time we pulled the plug on our in-person meeting, we had   sold
>> a total of 89 packages, mostly full registrations, and some tables. (We
>> wound up with an online convention of over 90 delegates). As soon as the
>> decision was made we began receiving “Just keep my registration fee” notes
>> (I’ve seen these posted in public forums at the national level too, since
>> last week, and even before). We did have some expenses, but most were
>> recoverable.
>>
>>
>>
>>   We contacted each delegate to ask if they wanted a refund or to make a
>> donation (I’ve seen at least one person suggest not offering a refund and
>> waiting for members to request it - I think that’s a horrible idea. There’s
>> over 20% unemployment - you’re really going to make people *ask* for their
>> money back?!). For donors we offered as a thank you a new Tshirt design.
>>
>>
>>
>> We made 34 refunds, which included some business table refunds. One
>> person requested their money go to their county affiliate. One person we
>> didn’t connect with quickly enough so our treasurer sent the refund, and
>> they turned around and donated it back.
>>
>>
>> So, in a sad kind of way, we had a financially ‘successful’ convention.
>> It certainly wasn’t a   disaster. I know the economics of the national
>> convention are much different, but I do believe we can count on at least
>> 1/3 of our registrations converting to donations in the event of full
>> cancellation without rescheduling an in-person event. I do think each
>> registrant should be contacted personally if this becomes the case so that
>> we can give them options. I am willing to help make these calls (Tara has
>> been teaching me a thing or two 🥰 and has been very encouraging, which
>> will be the subject of another post).
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>   Susan Jane Hogarth
>>
>>   Region 5 Alternate
>>
>>   919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
>>
>>
>>
>>