What is the benefit to hosting MACNA?

[Anonymous]

It seems like whenever our local club has a presidency meeting, the subject of hosting a major conference comes up. Is there anyone who would like to comment on the benefits/negatives that arose when your club hosted a conference?

 

[Anonymous]

Your posting in the wrong forum for this. Try the MASNA forum

People that post here typically are people that have nothing to do with clubs really, ie. retailers, wholesalers, NGO people, etc.


That being said, the only benifit I forsee as an ex-VP of a club, is bragging rights and a close by event that you won't have to fly to. Other then that, it's a HUGE hassle.

 

[Anonymous]

That's what we usually come up with....

Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

SLC = Salt lake City? Which club?

 

[Anonymous]

Wasatch Marine Aquarium Society

 

[JennM]

Your posting in the wrong forum for this. Try the MASNA forum

People that post here typically are people that have nothing to do with clubs really, ie. retailers, wholesalers, NGO people, etc.


That being said, the only benifit I forsee as an ex-VP of a club, is bragging rights and a close by event that you won't have to fly to. Other then that, it's a HUGE hassle.

:lol:

I used to be involved in a club - they've been talking about doing a MACNA for a few years now - they've even started their own conference to "practice".

Don't get me wrong - conferences are great... but I don't know if there's a benefit, per se. Just a good reason to party afterward

Jenn

 

[dizzy]

Different hosts have different reasons for hosting. For some it appears to be a desire to make a profit. Was anyone at the Beantown MACNA? I also remember a lot of controversy about one that was held in Chicago as well. And I think Baltimore lost money.

 

[JennM]

I forget which one, but one MACNA nearly ruined MASNA... that was a fiasco.

Jenn

 

[dizzy]

Jenn,
I'd have to guess Baltimore. I know I got ripped off for some tapes I bought. 8O I think the clubs trying to profit from a MACNA is fine, but sometimes individuals appear to try and keep the money for themselves. :evil: Which is questionable at best, since this comes at the expense of the club.

 

[Anonymous]

just don't imitate Boston!!! :twisted:

 

[spawner]

SLC would be a great place, and your club is so organized and active I think you guys would do a great job. I think it should be used as a funding tool, you take on a lot to pull off a good meeting, why not try to come out on top with few grand to show for a good meeting.

 

[Anonymous]

Yup, WMAS is a excellent club. We've donated to them a few times, and they've hosted my boss for a presentation.

 

[JennM]

I think it was Baltimore. I joined the BOD in early 2002 - somewhat accidentally. I replied to a post on one of the boards calling for a secretary - I asked for more information and was nominated and elected immediately! I wasn't even a member yet *g*.

The organization was in the middle of trying to bounce back from the Baltimore fiasco and the first order of business was accepting the services of a member who was an attorney.

After that the way that MACNA was financed, changed. It was about that time that a former BOD member went off on his own, and IMAC was created.

It's a big risk to a club to organize such an event. Depending on the organizers, it can either be a cash cow or a bust. Not sure what the purpose of realizing a profit is to a club - most clubs are non-profit... but if they have a building fund or whatnot it can potentially pad their nest egg.

It's probably more about status anyway, "We hosted MACNA"... to anyone other than a fish geek, it means nothing *g*...

Jenn

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the replies.

We are lucky to have a strong membership that contribute generously to our fundraisers, so making money doesn't have a strong appeal to most of us.

As far as the status symbol part, that hasn't hooked anybody yet, either!

We have hosted many speakers so some of us feel having them one at a time is better.

Thank you for confirming our guesswork.