Heck, I'd speak for free (if I were going), and *sometimes* I can be funnier than anything. Besides, I know a little bit about the HP e3000 and could even say something *relevant*.

Just kidding.

>>> Stan Sieler <[log in to unmask]> 08/16 7:13 PM >>>
Greg writes:

> > That's 20 *THOUSAND* to 25 *THOUSAND* dollars.
> >
> > Why in the hell is Interex spending our money this way?
>
> Stan, you obviously haven't tried to book a large conference keynote
> speaker lately. It is the GOING RATE.

Irrelevant: the point is: that's too much money to be spending
for a speaker.  You shouldn't be spending that unless and until
you can show it more than pays for itself in increased sales
of conference memberships.  (Or provides other adequate recompense,
see below.)

> > Who's having a power-trip ("I/we must be important, we've got
> > a big name speaker)?
>
> HP World is an industry-leading conference. This is par for the
> course. No power trip involved, just competitive reality. Perhaps
> you remember Scott Adams, one of our previous keynotes. Why don't
> you go check HIS rates and then get back to us.

Uh, I realize you're somewhat of a newcomer to the HP 3000
community ... but I did complain about Scott Adams, too.

I enjoy Adams' work, and was on his mailing list since the early
days.  I've gone to free talks that he's done.  But...that doesn't
mean that I did (or do) condone Interex paying him a lot of
money to speak to us!

> > Does Interex *really* think that hundreds of extra *paying* attendees
> > will show up because of him?
>
> No, no one is going to make a decision to attend based on the keynote
> alone. Nor are they going to make that decision based on the party,
> or the lunches, or the material of the t-shirts. But if you miss the
> mark on any one of those things (and thousands of others), the overall
> conference experience is less than it might have been, which translates
> directly to repeat business.

If you can't quantify it, then that leaves the question: why?
There are only a few possible reasons for spending $20K on a speaker:

   1) the speaker has a hold over you (I doubt this one)

   2) you think it will increase the value of the conference for
      the attendees *by an appropriate amount*.  (I.e., add enough
      value to justify the cost.)

   3) you think it will increase sales of membership (again,
      by at least an appropriate amount).  (Or a combination of #2 and #3)

   4) you get ego-boo from holding a conference with a "big name speaker".

Interex has been asked in the past ... repeatedly ... to justify
a paid speaker, and has never done so.  Hey...if a group of people
spending my money can't explain something, there are only a few
reasons to account for it ... and that's not good!

Personally, I'd drop the paid speaker and cut the conference rate
proportionately.  I don't care if that's $20/person or $5/person ...
the principle is important (and, it opens the door to look for
other possible examples of waste).


> > I'm not renewing my membership.
>
> Promise?

Well...I will if we get an HP 3000 users group again.

I remember when we had one...it was good.

:(


Stan Sieler                                           [log in to unmask] 
www.allegro.com/sieler/wanted/index.html          www.allegro.com/sieler