Clown Forum's Spring Fling (as it is flung)

[Willace-the-Clown]

The Clown forum Dose have a CafePress click the souvenir stand balloon at the top plus i have two Cafe press shops.

Willace the Clown's Shop


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[tim]

Originally Posted by Willace-the-Clown

I AM the only one in my area that is a memeber of the clown forum so if i did throw a convention herei would be sitting in a room by my self. I wanted to go to the work shop but everyone i asked for help refused to help me. I usely ask the alley clowns for help & i never get any help I get leftout of everthing & have to hang out with me.

Willace,

I understand how frustrating things can get when you sincerely want to do something, yet roadblocks keep poppping up. But you need to sometimes just let the past pass and keep trying with confidence that, eventually, something positive will work out.

In that light, a few of us have noted the excellent potential of the upcoming gathering in Ft. Myers. Have you pursued that option? As we noted, it is only $15 per person and we would be more than happy to pay that fee for both you and your mom to attend. No, it's not a "clown-forum" gathering but it is a similar type of weekend for clowns which would give you the kind of experience we had in South Bend. Really, placing all your efforts into finding some way to attend all (or even part) of it would be your best bet at this point.

[Plain Old Jello]

Thanks Willace, I didn't realize that

[tim]

Originally Posted by azzy

Ok, first of all - bigger room. That said...

Excellent thoughts, all, Azzy. Just a couple of things to keep in mind as to the realities, though:

Webcasting the event should be possible, especially the lectures.

Realistically, this wouldn't likely be allowed. The lecturers make their living, in no small part, by traveling to offer classes on these topics. Start giving it away for free and you undercut that. It's a nice thought (and I think that an innovative entrepenuer might find a way to make it work), but it can't happen for free. That's a significant part of why there will, necessarily, be some sort of reasonable registration fee in the future. Without it, we just won't have quality lecturers available to us.

Similarly, where money spent has to be kept in perspective, also. I like the idea about t-shirt sales and such. However, there is a need to balance the greater majority of money buying things such that it ultimately favors the dealers. Again, this comes down to a simple matter of making matters profitable for them to be there and lecture. Cut into that too much, and it will either cost us elsewhere or they may simply not find it worth their while to come.

[Harpoetta]

You're right, Tim. Webcasting lectures will not be something that would be allowed, for exactly the reasons you just said.

I like the t-shirt idea too, but it might be better to hold off on that until this is a bigger event, maybe add a day and double the number of attendees, before we start selling t-shirts, also for the same reason you just said.

For the dealers, it's necessary for them to at least come close to breaking even, and if being a dealer is the only reason they are going, they will definately want to make a profit. The dealers have to pay their way there (gas and tolls, airplane tickets,...), hotel for however long the event is, maybe a fee for a dealer space (in some of the major magic conventions), and they have to eat while they are there. If they can't make at least that back in sales, in some respects, it was not worth it for them to go.

Dad, Trish and I came to the Spring Fling partly because Dan is a good friend of ours, practically family, and family helps each other out. He does what he can to help us, and we do what we can to help him. We did want to come anyway, but Dan being a good friend of ours weighed heavily against the probability of not making a lot of sales, and maybe not breaking even.

We had a lot of fun while we were there, and if Dan asked us, we'd be more than happy to come back, but there are other people who need to be sure to make a profit before agreeing to go, or they won't go.

[Plain Old Jello]

Both of those responses are good. My experience comes from political events, where often the pols would want to be seen and heard (mostly).

I think video could still be made available during open time, so that those who can't make it can still join in a bit of the fun. If events are being handled by attendees just for the sake of being there (such as Dan's balloon jams), I don't think they would have a problem.

But yes, professionals do need to get paid. That's where the costs will creep up. I don't think any merchandising should interfere with the vendors, if it's kept to things like clown forum hats & shirts. But again, not sure if it would be worth the effort. If there were a dvd afterward it would have to be a highlight film, which would end up being more of a advertisement for vendors and lecturers more than anything. And would have to have review and authorization.

Sometimes I think it's actually easier if you're planning something with hundreds of attendees, you have more leverage to work with!

Then again, I personally would be more than happy to have a spring fling with no formal agenda or presentations. It was just nice to go

[Willace-the-Clown]

its my own fault when i helped to think up the clown forum convention years ago I had to think optamisticly about being able to go.

[Nettie Belle]

Personally, I feel the need to put this thread to bed. Nighty night, Thread ... see ya next year.

[Hopscotch the clown]

Hey Willace, Looks like you have a great opportunity to hear some really good speakers. The Speakers we had were really great too. Fred talked and demonstrated all about illusions and Tricia talked about costuming and makeup. I was only able to go on Friday eve until Saturday eve. I am not sure what they did Sunday. Anyway sounds like you'll have your chance to get some good clown learning too!!!

[tim]

Originally Posted by Hopscotch the clown

I am not sure what they did Sunday.

Nothing formal. The few of us who remained sat around and chatted about clowning and circus and life, then stopped for lunch before heading home. Well, unless you include after midnight as Sunday, also. In which case we basically messed around, juggled, cleaned up, ate as much cotton candy as Dan insisted on continuing to make, entertained (or was it got entertained by) some drunken hotel patrons, and generally stayed up way too late enjoying each other's company.