[Nfbmo] Convention Follow-up

[Stan Magoon]

I concur with the others who are suggesting a raise in prices for better quality food and portions. 

With regard to Ben's suggestion of saving for next year's convention, it may be helpful for people to know about a program called Smartypig. SmartyPig is a free, FDIC-insured online piggy bank that helps you save for long and short-term goals. It is presently paying 0.85%. It automatically takes whatever amount of money you authorize out of your checking or savings account each month and deposits it into your Smartypig account. The money stays in the account earning interest until you decide to withdraw it and then it is returned to the original account. That process usually takes 3-5 days. $25 a month in Smartypig would give someone $300 plus interest by next year for convention expenses.

The website is smartypig.com.

Joy!
Lynda Magoon

> On Apr 10, 2017, at 1:02 AM, Gene Coulter via Nfbmo <nfbmo at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello Everybody,
> I just wanted to post a few things about convention.
> First of all, I suspect that most of you are unaware of the tremendous effort that Randy Carmack put into streaming the convention over the internet. He worked his fingers to the bone for 2 solid days to try and get it done. The failure of his efforts is on the hotel not him in any way! Please join me in commending him for his resolute effort in this regard. Hopefully we will have recordings of the proceedings up on the website in the next few weeks.
> I would be remiss if I did not thank our hosts  for their thorough preparation for the convention – so thanks Kansas City and Old Drum.
> 
> Be assured that I am aware of issues encountered with the hotel   and others that you may not be aware of. The positive things I can say are that the staff was generally friendly and helpful, the elevators did not break down, and no power failure. I am aware  of burnt out light bulbs, rooms without trash cans, toilet tissue, shortages at Saturday lunch, maids failing to replenish towels and more. 
> The problem with contracting with any hotel is that ownership and managers change  constantly.  If I am still our convention coordinator next time Kansas City comes up in rotation I will do my very best to take us elsewhere unless this property is absolutely totally overhauled. It is, after all, on one of the most valuable pieces of land in Kansas City where I-435 and I-70 meet across from the stadiums.
> One more important note that I would like to hear thoughts on is meal prices. We have for several years had planned meal prices  at rates far below the normal hotel banquet service prices. For example, next year in Jefferson City those attending banquet will pay $33 when the lowest price on the banquet menu  for dinner is over $40. As a result we will get to pick from the cheapest items to prepare  the hotel can think of or get smaller than normal portions. This year I believe we got both the cheapest item they could think of in a smaller than normal portion.
> So, what I want to know is should we continue to seek the lowest possible prices or expand our willingness to go just a bit higher for the 2019  convention meals. Believe me I do not wish to pay more than we have and  the main point of a planned meal is fellowship but the food needs to be filling and edible. If we did decide to expand what we are looking for  in our meals I would still be looking  at the bottom half of any pricing chart – sorry  no lobster or Porterhouse steaks. 
> Thanks for your thoughts.
> Gene Coulter
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