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Club Convention--A Missed Opportunity?

From the NAC/ACC Collecting Clubs eNews electronic newsletter archives.

For most collecting clubs and societies the annual convention is the highlight of the year. But are they also missed opportunities?

Reading the announcements of most collecting club annual conventions, you soon get the idea that the club members are there for a good time and fellowship, to buy and sell, all with doses of education and business thrown in.

A typical agenda includes a show (or bourse), seminars, auction, banquet, business meeting and board meeting. Sometimes tours are offered, receptions and hospitality events, `room hopping,' door prizes, awards ceremonies and `show and tells.'

For club members, conventions are a much anticipated affair to greet old friends and to meet new ones...a place where everyone "understands" because you all have something in common...what you collect.

Club conventions are usually also the most visual activity of the annual calendar. An opportunity to regenerate the membership and recruit new members.

But, then the question begs asking, "Why are so many club conventions closed--members only? It seems logical that if a collecting club or society is interested in membership recruitment, they would showcase their annual premiere event--the annual convention. What better way to show prospective members what your organization is all about than showing them first hand members having fun and enjoying their hobby...a hobby of which they can become a part.

A convention does not need to be totally open to the public, nor should it. Certainly the business meeting, board meeting, awards banquet and similar events are for the members. But what about the show or bourse, and maybe the auction and seminars. Prospective members could possibly participate in these events, learn more about the club or hobby, without taking away anything from the dues-paying members.

It may be logistically more complicated to plan and orchestrate a convention with sections open to the public. But if you are in a membership building mode, do the benefits outweigh the challenges?

Club leaders, what are your experiences and thoughts. Closed convention vs. open convention. Contact: info@collectors.org or FAX 301.926.7648 200108