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Re: Idea for the Next National Convention?
I have been carefully watching this discussion thread for the past two days
and appreciate all of the opinions that have been expressed. After a great
deal of consideration based on my experiences, the opinions expressed and
the realities of the AKA Convention, I have developed some thoughts for
everyone's consideration.
First: I find myself becoming more and more convinced that the AKA
Convention and the show contained within have to be taken for what it
really is. The Convention is the "largest" (and I use that term advisedly)
event of the year for many killie hobbyists, but it is not for many
others. West Coast Weekend has supplanted the AKA Convention on the left
coast and with some valid justification. When the AKA first formed and
even in the middle years 70-80s, realistically, it was the primary show in
town for everyone - now we have a great deal of 'competition' - be it CKA's
annual show or the Cincinnati Labor Day festivities and several others. In
terms of drawing more species and supposedly rarer one to the National
Convention - we really do need to take a closer look at what is being
offered in the way of 'rewards'.
I have to say - I am against providing an alternative display for those who
want to take home their fish. While that may allow for some fish that are
less common to appear or even some 'better' quality pairs to be judged, I
suspect it could easily become revenue depletion in the overview. The
concept of the entires in the show has always been two-fold. For keepers
to display fish they are proud of and have a chance at taking home awards
for their efforts and - most importantly - a source of revenue for the
AKA. I truly believe many of the best fish currently entered in the
current show would be moved to the 'take-home' option and even with a $10
entry fee - would actually end up lowering the overall income for the AKA
by removing a potential $50 auction price to be lost.
Now I do not want to get into a discussion over the financial status of the
AKA in this thread - so lets avoid that part.
So what could be offered in place of this class that might draw better
quality or rarer species? For years we have provided trophies, paintings
or some plaques as the award. I propose we take a second look at this
system and could potentially offer cash rewards along with a reasonable
display award. While I am not 100% certain what the best way to fund the
awards would be - I might suggest we add an entry fee for every entry. The
fees and cash reward are specific to the class (example: if the fee is
$10 per fish and there are 10 fish entered in the class - then $100 could
be used as the cash reward - be it for first place only or divided for the
top 3 winners). Imagine, if you will, the potential winfall - a person
enters a great fish in a class and if it really is that good - he wins and
most likely can now afford to purchase the species back again or he now has
additional money to spend in the auction for other great fish he might want.
I am also convinced that we need to add a certain element of pride back
into the competition - something that gives people reason to display those
'special' fish and feel proud of their accomplishments. One of the great
weaknesses of the AKA Convention - in my opinion - has been a lack of real
support within the affiliate clubs to really look into ways to entice their
own members to go to the limit in bringing fish to the convention. I don't
have any specific suggestions - but there may be several concepts which
could be viewed by the local clubs - including getting together with the
members not attending the convention and putting together a "Club" box of
entries to be shipped to the convention. Potentially, the AKA could find
some sort of Reward for the club making the largest donation of fish - for
whatever purpose <a combination of fish sale room donations to the AKA
income and show entries>.
Boy - I seemed to have rambled on. Hope these ideas are of some value or at
least some entertainment for your reading pleasure <chuckles>
Tom Grady
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