The Future of MOTM?
Posted: November 12, 2008 4:08 pm
. . . . .
On behalf of the PHIP Board of Directors,
The question was asked and the BOD agrees it is a valid question:
"Why don't the powers-that-be move MOTM to a different location?"
Orchestrating MOTM includes contacts with the city, Chamber of Commerce, police and fire departments, staging and sound engineers, bars, restaurants, the host hotel, the committee chairs, the members who volunteer to work on committees, the vendors, and yes, even the Port-a-Potty people - just to name a few!
As to the location requirements; we must have space for Goodie Bag stuffing, Registration, the Mini Mart, meeting rooms, the Auction, Raffle Items, storage and location for two stages. At the Casa Marina we have all of these things, in addition to a beach that gives us the ability to throw the biggest PH Party ever! We have looked at many other locations over the years and every one has been lacking in one way or another. While many people are unhappy with the changes to the Casa and the prices, it is still the best place to fit our needs and we will continue to work with them to address your concerns.
In addition, IF we were to leave Key West, even for a year or two, there are no guarantees that we can come back. Fantasy Fest has the week before us and the Boat races the week after. Booking somewhere else for even one year could cost us our “spot” on the calendar. We also have sponsorship and wonderful support from Margaritaville and many other local establishments we would lose if we were to leave.
And of course, there is the weather; many locations are too cold in early November. Many of our events are outside and there are a great number of us attending. The BoD, just a few years ago, convinced Key West to allow 3500 attendees; other than convention buildings, most cities don't have acceptable areas for our style of events. Convincing the host city that we will respect their city, and gain their trust, is difficult, but in Key West the KWPD and the KWFD set up friendly booths in our events!
Moving within Key West is a possibility, but all of the large venues in Key West have one or more flaws. Some do not have a large outdoor area, some do not have meeting spaces, a few do not have enough rooms, and most do not have the beach.
We are not required to do things the same way as before, and we could limit the numbers, and we could use a shorter time, and we could charge more for the event (if we don't have our regular sponsors); we just don't think that will be accepted by the general membership.
The next question and concern we have been hearing is the dates of the Convention. The first weekend in November is a tradition as well as a lesser expensive time of the year. There is no way we could schedule the convention in late November, it is Thanksgiving and it is too close to Christmas. As far as having the convention in the spring, it comes down to dollars again; summer is hurricane season, not to mention sweltering! Also keep in mind we can't just change it for next year. While you are recovering from this year’s convention, we are already working on the contracts for 2011.
In short, each year we consider all of these issues, and each year, the dotted lines bring us right back to Key West. And, we reiterate, the BoD does look at this issue EVERY year.
Our convention is only as good as its attendees, and we are a STRONG bunch of people ... We have earned the respect of an entire community over the years in spite of the perceived PH reputation ... That cannot just be moved to another place or time.
Jimmy Pattavina
President, PHiP 2008 & 2009
402 477 7717 voice-fax-data
Cell 402 429 8757
jamespattavina@prodigy.net
James A Pattavina
2828 Sheridan Blvd
Lincoln NE 68502
On behalf of the PHIP Board of Directors,
The question was asked and the BOD agrees it is a valid question:
"Why don't the powers-that-be move MOTM to a different location?"
Orchestrating MOTM includes contacts with the city, Chamber of Commerce, police and fire departments, staging and sound engineers, bars, restaurants, the host hotel, the committee chairs, the members who volunteer to work on committees, the vendors, and yes, even the Port-a-Potty people - just to name a few!
As to the location requirements; we must have space for Goodie Bag stuffing, Registration, the Mini Mart, meeting rooms, the Auction, Raffle Items, storage and location for two stages. At the Casa Marina we have all of these things, in addition to a beach that gives us the ability to throw the biggest PH Party ever! We have looked at many other locations over the years and every one has been lacking in one way or another. While many people are unhappy with the changes to the Casa and the prices, it is still the best place to fit our needs and we will continue to work with them to address your concerns.
In addition, IF we were to leave Key West, even for a year or two, there are no guarantees that we can come back. Fantasy Fest has the week before us and the Boat races the week after. Booking somewhere else for even one year could cost us our “spot” on the calendar. We also have sponsorship and wonderful support from Margaritaville and many other local establishments we would lose if we were to leave.
And of course, there is the weather; many locations are too cold in early November. Many of our events are outside and there are a great number of us attending. The BoD, just a few years ago, convinced Key West to allow 3500 attendees; other than convention buildings, most cities don't have acceptable areas for our style of events. Convincing the host city that we will respect their city, and gain their trust, is difficult, but in Key West the KWPD and the KWFD set up friendly booths in our events!
Moving within Key West is a possibility, but all of the large venues in Key West have one or more flaws. Some do not have a large outdoor area, some do not have meeting spaces, a few do not have enough rooms, and most do not have the beach.
We are not required to do things the same way as before, and we could limit the numbers, and we could use a shorter time, and we could charge more for the event (if we don't have our regular sponsors); we just don't think that will be accepted by the general membership.
The next question and concern we have been hearing is the dates of the Convention. The first weekend in November is a tradition as well as a lesser expensive time of the year. There is no way we could schedule the convention in late November, it is Thanksgiving and it is too close to Christmas. As far as having the convention in the spring, it comes down to dollars again; summer is hurricane season, not to mention sweltering! Also keep in mind we can't just change it for next year. While you are recovering from this year’s convention, we are already working on the contracts for 2011.
In short, each year we consider all of these issues, and each year, the dotted lines bring us right back to Key West. And, we reiterate, the BoD does look at this issue EVERY year.
Our convention is only as good as its attendees, and we are a STRONG bunch of people ... We have earned the respect of an entire community over the years in spite of the perceived PH reputation ... That cannot just be moved to another place or time.
Jimmy Pattavina
President, PHiP 2008 & 2009
402 477 7717 voice-fax-data
Cell 402 429 8757
jamespattavina@prodigy.net
James A Pattavina
2828 Sheridan Blvd
Lincoln NE 68502
![[smilie=gt-happyup.gif]](./images/smilies/gt-happyup.gif "gt-happyup"){kind=small}
absolutely!![[smilie=noeyedear-shrugging.gif]](./images/smilies/noeyedear-shrugging.gif "noeyedear-shrugging"){kind=small}
![[smilie=battingeyes.gif]](./images/smilies/battingeyes.gif "battingeyes"){kind=small}