<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=4 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Times New Roman" LANG="0">. Ed writes</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"><BR>
Agreed, but with a question. Are the conventions as valuable as possible? <BR>
I personally know of two instructors that presented work-changing classes <BR>
(for me), that no longer teach because of the cost. There are probably <BR>
others, as well. What quality are we missing because of this? </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
<BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Times New Roman" LANG="0"><I>.>>>>>>>>>>Ditt</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Times New Roman" LANG="0"></I>os Ed. I've said no on several occasions because of the cost issue both time of prep and travel and actual expense. For me it came down to teaching a class or a desperately needed vacation.</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> There are also more than a few teachers at the convention that teach how <BR>
to use their products, which is well and good, since they can profit in more <BR>
ways than Guild compensation. However, what about those instructors who can <BR>
bring knowledge that is of great benifit to the members but have nothing to <BR>
sell? </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Times New Roman" LANG="0"><BR>
>>>>>>>>As for the later we need suppliers and people pushing product in classes and what a plus for ptg as they don't pay sponsored teachers a dime however the down side is that frankly conventions become more than a little repititous. If the organization wants to court new talent there has to be incentive because the ego trip of teaching wears off after a while even if it is an honor to be asked.<BR>
Just my opinion>>>>>>>>>>Dale Erwin</FONT></HTML>