Re: [Killietalk] More on Virtual Events

[Gary Elson or Mary Frauley <fraulels at videotron_ca>]

For me, as long as the central events (speakers and auction) happen on 
Saturday/Sunday, the convention could be a week long. I'm Canadian, and 
Memorial Day isn't a holiday for me. I'm a teacher, so it falls at the worst 
possible time for me to take a day off to give myself a long weekend. When I 
attend a convention, my visit is short. I still get a lot out of it, and 
have never regretted even the conventions where I had to leave before the 
auction started. Meeting AKAers, learning from speakers and getting fish 
sales room or otherwise purchased fish works for me. If the other people 
there get to do things I don't, I wish them the best of fun in doing so.
I consider the AKA convention to be fun even without the auction, even 
without the option of selling or showing fish and even without the 
opportunity to arrive when it starts and leave when it ends. I hope the AKA 
will be healthy and active when I retire - then maybe I'll get to do that 
stuff. Lots of members are in the same boat as me - international members, 
those with children, those with precarious jobs, those who are students, 
working class members, older members with small pensions, etc.
BTW - if we have an online auction, it would be hard for me to buy fish. I 
could not sell fish because of US border regulations. If we use World of 
Warcraft, I couldn't even trade a nerfle sword for a pair of cameronense and 
safely have them mailed to me. Even with those limitations, I still have 
enjoyed my AKA membership and gotten a lot out of it.
I still think a lot of this debate revolves around our need for an online 
auction feature as part of the AKA site. I know - I have no website skills 
or time to manage such a thing, but I still see the need. It would be good 
if someone with those skills ran for the BOT with that as a part of their 
platform.
Gary

Lee wrote:
For many years I have been an advocate (fairly quietly, I confess) of more 
than a 2 day convention. We arrive for the beginning of activities at about 
5 PM Friday and it is non-stop fun and work until about 5 PM Sunday. The 
objectors to a longer weekend state that Friday and Monday are needed for 
travel time. That is a valid objection, but no one is required to stay for 
all events. I have only regularly attended one other fish related 
convention - NANFA. They have a 3+ day schedule and it is much more relaxed 
and less stress on the hosts. Plus they make no attempt at a competition and 
judging. They do have several collecting trips normally associated with the 
Convention. Not all activities appeal to all folks. This year, the Northwest 
hosts are scheduling some Sunday evening and Monday events that are more 
family oriented. that is a plus. In Tampa there were third day collecting 
trips as well. In those areas where collecting or other excursions are less 
appealing, there could be workshops,, roundtable discussions, or even a 
virtual auctions/sales.
   I vote for a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday event. 

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