Family Rates at the Convention

[Allan L. Gilreath, RPT]

Carol,

At this year's Annual in Chicago, there will be Exhibit Hall passes
available, on a discretionary basis, for those accompanying paid
registrants.  Anyone may contact Sandy Roady at the home office about these
passes.

There are many ways to look at the pricing structure and those run the gamut
from that it should be a member benefit at no extra charge to that the
registration fee should reflect the total cost of staff and volunteer time
as well as being a money-making venture for PTG.  Where the final answer
falls in between those extremes will keep shifting over time and will depend
largely on the vote of the majority or the determinations of those elected
by the members.

It always saddens me to see PTG referred to an entity.  That winds up
belying the nature of any organization made up of individuals.  We all have
a say one way or another and I certainly respect your position.    I'm not
sure about the comment concerning the Annual Convention never being
oversold.  There are quite a few ways to define that.  If we look at the
allotted sleeping room block (which involves how much we pay for the meeting
space) we meet expectations.  Are we going to have as many folks in Chicago
to completely fill the meeting rooms for every class period?  No, I suppose
not.

While it's easy to look for a more "family-friendly" approach, we also have
to consider the other side.  Is it fair to the unattached technician who's
paying for a full registration not to receive a discount since they work
alone?  Should we allow parents of paid registrants to attend at a reduced
rate?  Spouses?  Minor children?  Grown children?  Extended family?
Employees of paid registrants?  God-children?  Friends are curious about the
business?  No matter where we draw the line, someone will be unhappy.

We already allow registrations for family at the member rate.  Is that
enough? Yes, for some and no for others.  Should we allow open access to the
exhibit hall or should it be only for registered attendees?  There are good
arguments for both extremes.  At this point, it's somewhat in the middle.
At the best point in the middle?  Maybe not, but some folks will always want
it to be at a different balance point.

It's far from perfect, but input is always appreciated and welcomed by those
who are entrusted with making these decisions.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Chicago.

Allan
Allan L. Gilreath, RPT
Director - TEAM2002
June 26-30, 2002 - Chicago, IL
agilreath@mindspring.com
http://www.ptg.org/conv.htm
Assistant Directors: Gary Neie, RPT - Claude Harding, RPT - Joel Jones,
RPT - Laura Olsen, RPT

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf
Of crbrpt@verizon.net
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 2:20 AM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Re: Family Rates at the Convention


The family rates for MARC are not for the technical classes. I am still
unclear about the policies concerning family members in the Exhibit Hall.

I keep trying to move this discussion to PTG-L where it belongs, but since
Steve posted to this list, the following was my reply:

The reply I received from the registrar to my inquiry was that my daughter
would have to pay the non-member technician rate to attend any classes,
which was $100 higher than the rate I would have to pay.  It was suggested
that she hurry up and join the PTG before the seminar to get a reduced rate.
There were no other options. End of discussion.   To me, this implied a take
it or leave it policy.

That meant that if my son-in-law also attended any classes or wanted to see
the exhibit hall, we would also have to pay an additional non-member
technician registration.  Because we were traveling with a baby, we would
not be attending very many classes anyway, but that is our concern and not
PTGs.  The registration fees alone for the 2 of us would be a ballpark of
$250 plus $350  = $600.  I could have lived with $250 plus $125 = $375.  Big
difference.  If my son-in-law were to come along to help with the baby that
would have been another $350 ($950) instead of $500  to attend a few classes
and visit the exhibit hall as a family of three.   I am not complaining
about the added fees for the one day classes, the food or lodging, but keep
in mind that families are paying out more money to feed and lodge themselves
than someone attending alone and sharing a room.

The fee of $20 per day to attend the exhibit hall, at MARC, was not very
clear as I thought one had to be registered as a technician for the
conference to gain entry.  I am still confused about this.  Does this mean
that any family member NOT registered for either classes or the auxiliary
program can pay $20 to visit the Exhibit Hall for the day?  This would
certainly be fair, as food is served, and be one of the things I would
consider to be very family friendly indeed.

Neither my daughter or son-in-law know much about my profession, and in my
mind, I thought taking them along would be good for all of us. My daughter
is just starting to work in my office and is thinking that some day, she
might like to be a piano technician. Her husband wants to be supportive, and
would like some idea of what his wife is talking about.  Since I work on so
many Disklaviers, and the class is for beginners as well, it was my
daughter's idea to attend this class.  I remember the very first seminar
class I attended was how to make a set of piano keys for a piano that had no
keys!  Talk about being in over your head!  I thought the extra $25 per
person was a bargain.

I doubt that many technicians children get interested in this profession
until they reach adulthood.  It doesnt matter how old your family members
are, they are still your family when they accompany you to a seminar. They
are not even beginners or students, just inquirers when the idea of
attending a convention or seminar first occurs to them.  Why should we
charge them the same rate as non guild piano technicians earning a living
tuning and servicing pianos?  Of course if they are working as piano
technicians they should pay full fare. Why cant a reduced rate for family
members to attend classes and have access to the Exhibit Hall be an added
benefit to PTG membership?

Perhaps saying that this lack of family pricing is unfair would better be
described as pricing that is counter-productive to PTGs mission statement.
Not having more affordable pricing for family members, and having a very
narrow policy about admittance into an exhibit hall does not promote
interest in pianos in our own backyard. I still feel that PTG, especially
MARC, pricing is not as family-friendly as it could be.  They could do
better.

In no way have I disrespected the efforts of volunteers in making PTG
programs happen.  However, when PTG  ignores the contributions  family
members have made over the years in many ways, including producing and
distributing  chapter newsletters, helping at PTG booths during National
Piano Month, and enabling us to serve as a volunteer chapter officers, by
charging  them extra, instead of less, to attend a PTG function, they are
disrespecting their contributions to PTG.

The arguments against more family friendly pricing is that we cant afford
it, not many people will come, we wont fill up the hotel rooms, etc.
don’t appear to be well founded considering that conferences like MARC
will be oversold.  This also implies that we don’t need to change
anything  if we only look at the dollars.  Think about community building
and exposing young people to PTG.  Think about the customer who complains,
and that for every one of those there are 10 more who will never call you
again and you will never know why.  Think about all the families who have
complained over the years and those that just gave up on PTG.  Think about
what you are doing to encouraging the family-owned businesses of your
membership.  Think about the fact that the National Convention is never
oversold.

BTW, I have always enjoyed the MARC seminar.  So much so that I always
attended when I knew I couldn’t make it to the National convention.  I
can’t say enough good things about the quality of the experiences.  I
just wish it wouldn’t cost so much to let my family know what a
wonderful experience it can be - especially since they are interested in
continuing the profession. I would have loved to introduce my family  to all
that the PTG experience could be.  If I were alone is this position, I would
just give in without another word.  But I am certainly not - especially if
my private email is any indication.  Every year this issue comes up, and
every year we lose the attendance and interest of those who could be our
future.

Carol Beigel