Let's Get Real, was: PTG Needs The Money

[Pianotek2000@aol.com]

List,

No matter how you spin this, guys and gals, the PTG has raised  the 
registration fee by a whopping 30%.  That's the bottom line.  Do any of you 
really believe the rate of inflation during the past year was anywhere near 
that figure.

Let me suggest to those lecturing the rest of us failures on how to budget 
correctly, that no business person would begin to assume such a huge 
increase.  In fact, I'm quite sure no business in the country assumed any 
budget category would increase that amount, except maybe for oil.  Is the 
piano tuning business really that good that it doesn't matter, and are the 
rest of us really such failures.

It comes back again to the PTG trying to make up the loss of so many 
exhibitors not coming, and they are doing it on the backs of their 
membership.  And, I understand the 4th of July conflict continues for the 
next three years.  Has anyone thought about that.  When do we start holding 
our leadership accountable.  When do they get the message.  Maybe when they 
see the attendance drop.  I think we should stop bashing us tuners out there 
who are not apparently as successful as the rest of you and don't blink at a 
30% increase.

In a message dated 3/12/03 4:56:30 PM US Mountain Standard Time, 
avery@ev1.net writes:

<< Subj:     Re: PTG Needs The Money, Was: Dallas Convention Web Site
 Date:  3/12/03 4:56:30 PM US Mountain Standard Time
 From:  avery@ev1.net (Avery Todd)
 Sender:    pianotech-bounces@ptg.org
 Reply-to:  pianotech@ptg.org (Pianotech)
 To:    pianotech@ptg.org (Pianotech)
 
 Mike,
 
 Too late now!!!! :-)
 
 Avery
 
 At 07:48 PM 03/11/03 -0500, you wrote:
 >     Hi Guys (& gals):
 >     How about putting away the price of one or two tunings a month for 12
 >months.  Use a special savings account earmorked just for this so you won't
 >touch it and you can see the balance easily.  At the end of a year, there
 >should be enough to finance a trip to the national convention.  Almost
 >painless?
 >     Mike Kurta
 >----- Original Message -----
 >From: "Clyde Hollinger" <cedel@supernet.com>
 >To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
 >Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 4:26 PM
 >Subject: Re: PTG Needs The Money, Was: Dallas Convention Web Site
 >
 >
 > > Friends,
 > >
 > > We can't put all the non-attenders in the same category.  I also 
seriously
 > > question if we can say that all those who attend the conventions will
 >therefore
 > > make a good living, or conversely, that if you don't go you'll be poor.
 > >
 > > I like going to the conventions.  They help recharge my battery.  It is
 >written
 > > into my annual business plan, and included in my business budget, to
 >attend two
 > > conventions annually, usually the MARC and (inter)national conventions, 
if
 > > feasible.
 > >
 > > There are ways to save money.  Here are some that I've used in the past.
 >(1)
 > > Drive and carpool if possible, rather than flying.  (2) Skip the banquet.
 >(3)
 > > Share a room with one or two others.  (4) Take a small cooler and a box 
of
 > > cereal with you.  Buy a quart of milk, keep it cool with ice from the ice
 > > machine, and have breakfast in your room.  You can also take foods that
 >keep
 > > well for lunch, such as apples, breakfast bars, whatever.  (5) Avoid
 >buying
 > > meals in the convention center.  If you have a car with you, scout around
 >for
 > > cheap fast food joints.  Not the best for you, I suppose, but it won't
 >kill you
 > > for several days, either.  (6)  Find out which (good) convention is
 >closest to
 > > your home and go to that one.
 > >
 > > If you belong to a church (or other organization) such as mine, you may 
be
 >able
 > > to stay in a member's home nearby.  I did that for several years.  Cost
 > > $4/night.
 > >
 > > Any other ideas for those who legitimately need to pinch pennies?
 > >
 > > Regards,
 > > Clyde
 > >
 > > Joseph Garrett wrote:
 > > >>