VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Bailey · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:37 am Post subject:

There are two reasons why I did not attend VOICE... Time and Money.
At the time, I didn't have the money.
If the money were there, I would have been there.

I have much respect for those who were responsible for the idea of VOICE. If the idea of VOICE had not included certain people from this board, I probably would have overlooked the event. I have gained a confidence and trust in people since I have been a member here. In other words... I don't think anyone is going to lead me down the path with wild unfounded ideas. I for one, am looking forward to the results of VOICE, and its effects on the VO industry.
Coffee

_________________
"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044 W00T

.gif" alt="W00T" border="0" />
AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo." Ninja

mcm · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject:

I asked the event coordinator at the local College to give me an estimate of the cost of holding a conference there in summer 2008, based on 300 participants, arriving on a Thursday evening and leaving on Sunday. These were the things I asked for:

use of an auditorium and 3 conference rooms
lodging and all meals at the college (which is beautiful and has a great culinary reputation)
2 catered coffee breaks per day
use of the gorgeous athletic facilities (actually I didn't ask for that but they put it in)

The cost for the 3 days would be $221.50 per participant based on 2007 costs. There is usually a 5% increase per year so it would end up being a bit more. I double checked with her that there weren't any additional fees. She gave me an Excel spreadsheet to itemise everything for me. A place to stay, food, and use of the facilities.

This is an academic setting, very nice indeed, in the foothills of the Berkshires. It might not be everyone's cup of tea - some people prefer hotels. But it's an option. One could probably make it cheaper by holding it at a cornbelt university, but you might lose some people Smile

Deirdre · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 1:14 pm Post subject:

Don't forget to add in speakers' and technicians' fees and transportation.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

louzucaro · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 1:17 pm Post subject:

Well there might not be any other costs from that location, but what about everything else related to it? If the organizers are working full time (or close to it), they need to be compensated.

There are things to consider like a website, marketing materials, printing (in most cases), getting together all of the guest speakers and appearances, then things like badges, any equipment that might need to be rented for the show, etc.

These are all elements of even the most basic of shows.

Not having been at VOICE 2007, I don't know what other things there may have been that would be additional, but personally I don't think just getting a rate for reserving conference rooms and food from a particular location is a very realistic method of showing the total costs of putting on a convention, even a small-ish one of a few hundred people.

But that's just me.
_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

glittlefield · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 1:22 pm Post subject:

...and how far is it to the nearest airport? I'm guessing Albany, NY is closer to that area than Boston or Manchestah, right?
_________________
Greg Littlefield
VO-BB Member #59

mcm · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject:

No, of course not, but presumably most of that other information is not place-dependent (except for travel). Travel and lodging and meals weren't included in the VOICE registration fee, were they? If so, I shoulda gone.

Please, regarding lack of realism. I'm trying to offer some ideas on ways to make a conference more affordable. This is a jumping off point for discussion.

As for speakers' fees, the idea was mentioned to have cost of workshops separate so people could sign up for what they wanted, or for none of them if cost was a factor.

Closest airport is Hartford, 40 miles away. There's a shuttle.

Hey, you're not really thinking of coming here are you? It was just a serving suggestion (but it would be really cool Smile

)

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 1:43 pm Post subject:

We'd save a lot of money if the conference was held in Salt Lake City. The savings would come from teetotaling, of course.
_________________
sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

www.d3voiceworks.com

todd ellis · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject:

Hey - I could host right HERE! cheap - $12 - $18/night!

_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

richgates · Guest

Frank F · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:09 pm Post subject:

MCM,

Nice thinking and thanks for looking into the costs at the university. Something I might add would be - that it wasis an educational facility you are looking at quotes from, costs at a commercial facility are usually much higher.

I still have some tricks up my sleeve regarding next years event. Please don't jump the gun, or shoot the messenger, all will come out of the fog and into the clear soon.

Diane,

NOT in Utah.... Remember, you are an expert 300 miles from home... I would like to be further away than 300 miles... However Homestead Resort in Midway, Utah would be fun, but costly... ROFL

Toodles

Frank F
_________________
Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:13 pm Post subject:

Frank, despite efforts to the contrary, Utah is regarded as a kinda weird place. I heard someone say once, when considering where to go on vacation: "Utah? Who wants to go to Utah?" It's a pretty, great state (comma optional) and you and I know its greatest strengths are things only we know, living here. Come to think of it, greatest flaws, too!

Bunny slippers? Bunny slippers...bunny slippers...bunny slippers (wtf?) Wink

_________________
sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

www.d3voiceworks.com

Frank F · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject:

What she said... dittos.

F2
_________________
Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

mcm · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:40 pm Post subject:

glittlefield · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:39 pm Post subject:

mcm · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject:

New England VO potluck. This summer.