<HTML>In a message dated 7/23/02 12:51:05 PM Central Daylight Time, pianobuilders@olynet.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">As may be, I'd like to see us work at presenting enough challenging and exciting stuff at our conventions to draw out some of those we haven't seen for a while. And I realize some efforts are being made to do just this. It will not going to be easy--probably impossible--without some policy changes, however. And it may not be cheap and we're basically cheap folks. </BLOCKQUOTE> This is where I would like to see some ideas come out. What subjects, courses, ideas would attract those who feel the convention isn't offering enough? Would there be enough of these kinds of classes to fill out a schedule, or are there going to be only a few, like your environmental class, that hopefully would attract some of the technicians that no longer attend?  The second problem with this is, if you have some new classes next year, what will have to be offered the following year, and the next? Is there ever going to be enough new material to have those technicians you're talking about, coming back year after year? The next question is, who is going to teach those classes? I know you spend a lot of time preparing new classes, like the class I just mentioned. But who else is willing to take the time, and present it, with little or no compensation? Are we gong to run into the same problem? Are the advanced technicians who have given of their time and talent for all these many years, and felt "taken advantage of," be willing to step up to the plate, and do it again? We need new ideas, taught be old technicians. But are there enough new ideas, and old technicians willing to teach them, to entice other old technicians to come to the convention to take the classes? <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Wim, I realize we differ on this. I place little monetary value on the social aspects of the convention. Sure, when I'm there it's really great to see friends in the business from time to time. But PTG conventions are not my idea of either a social life or a vacation. They are part of my business life. I doubt I will ever attend a PTG convention as a purely social function. As such, they are a business expense and I have to justify them (at least partially) as a business activity. That does not mean I have to make money on my participation, but I would prefer that since my participation is primarily for the benefit of others, it not cost me overly much.   </BLOCKQUOTE> Del, what I am about to say comes from the heart, with all the respect and admiration for your talents and contribution. But what's in it for you to make the sacrifice to take the time and spend the money to teach at a convention, or even a seminar? If teaching at a convention is a business expense, with little or no monitory benefit, why go to all the trouble? As you said, why not find something more worth while to do? Not that I want you to quit coming, but what's bringing you back year after year? I do know this. Whenever I have developed a new class, I learn more about the subject than I knew before I started. I asked my son, Chris, who, as you know, is a partner is CPA firm, what the Anderson/Enron debacle meant for his firm. He sent a me a long letter explaining how it will benefit his company. He thanked me for asking, because it forced him to write down the thoughts that had been running around in his mind. He was able to verbalize some ideas he had about the subject. That was important for him. I am the same way. I have ideas, but it's not until I write them down that they make sense. Is that the way it is with you? Is that why you continue to come up with new ideas? <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"><BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Take care, my friend. One of these we're going to figure it all out. </BLOCKQUOTE> Probably. About ten years after (to most everyone's great relief) I'm dead and buried sounds about right. Regards, Del </BLOCKQUOTE> Well, maybe they'll figure it out after we're both gone. But it certainly will not be with great relief. Wim </XMP> </XMP><BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>