RECENT TREND OF COLLECTING EXHORBITANT FEES FOR CONFERENCES/CONVENTIONS

[sasidhar singaraju]

respected sir,
i would like express my unhappiness regarding the unhealthy trend of
collecting EXHORBITANT FEES FOR CONFERENCES/CONVENTIONS being
organized by IAOMP. As a matter of fact, similar veiws were expressed
by one of the author in the editorial column in the recent issue of
JOMFP. i would be glad to know your response about this issue. Infact
i would like to share my views about this in a more elabotate manner,
but may at an other forum. awaiting your reply....

[Ranga.]

Dear Sasidhar,

I understand your "concern" and 'am aware' of the editorial alluded
to.
Please provide your affiliation (institution) and the best forum would
be the AGM at the national conference

Let me clarify certain points both as the Hon. secretary and as a
member having conducted conferences

* By exorbitant I presume you mean the literal meaning - inflated/
excessive.
* This automatically means that you feel you don't derive value
for what you pay -please understand that if you have to have good
speakers (national or international), put yourself in the global arena
and be updated on the recent techniques it is going to cost you - the
same reason that private education is more expensive than public (as
govts. subsidizes this) -who is going to subsidize conference ?
* All our conferences provide complete hospitality to delegates -
which no international professional conferences do and charge way
more -as I am sure you are aware.
* Given the number of registered delegates we have - close to 650
in recent conferences and add the invited delegates and spouses, I
urge you to do the math as to how much it would cost just for basic
hospitality and venue (without considering the scientific component),
especially in a city/metro .
* Please do talk to the organizing personnel of the previous
conferences/conventions who I am sure would share their experiences. I
can assure you that "armchair" commentaries and views are important
but without a true grasp of facts would not be serving the interests
of our members.
* I look forward to further discussion, as I am sure other members
are, at the AGM at Delhi

Thanking you for your concern.
Dr.KR

[Dr Shamindra Sengupta]

Dear Dr. Ranganathan:

I fully agree with and second your point of view. As someone with more experience of organizing IAOMP's national conferences than most other members, may I be permitted to put forward my opinion about this issue:

1. Low-cost conferences come with a lower quality. Be it the hospitality, or the scientific activities, both take a nose-dive once finances are compromised;
   
2. The members of the organizing committee put their own necks, wallets and bank accounts at risk in an effort to raise funds - the delegate fees never fully pay for the total cost of the conference, and a certain percentage HAS to come out of advertisements and sponsorships. In any case, even with adequate finances ensured, the organizers face a tough time getting the show on the road;
3. Oral pathologists do not represent a prime market for companies to direct heavy advertisement expenditure towards;
4. For each Rs.100,000 worth of sponsorship, the delegate fees reduce by somewhere between Rs.75-100;
5. I would beg to differ with your opinion that "armchair" commentaries and views are important - they are not. People who won't offer to help, but find fault with conferences (from delegate fees to the brand of liquor served at banquets), forfeit their right to offer armchair commentaries and views;
6. If members would like to help, let them raise funds for an event that carries more prestige for Indian oral pathologists than ever before. For funds worth Rs.10,000,000 raised by members, the delegate fees can reduce by 50%. Let there be a combined fund raising of Rs.20,000,000 by all members, and I on your behalf, will ask all members to participate for free - NO DELEGATE FEES, NO ACCOMMODATION FEES! Till such time as you and I have to depend on ads and sponsorships that total less than 5% of the total budget, the delegate fees WILL continue to climb year on year for events organized in similar class of cities, and in similar facilities.
7. If this issue is to be raised at the Delhi AGM, I look forward to a lot of memorable and fun moments - and would request you for a complete video recording of the proceedings, for future entertainment... :)

Best regards,

Dr. S. Sengupta.

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> Date: Sat, 1 Aug 2009 00:37:41 -0700
> Subject: Response Re: RECENT TREND OF COLLECTING EXHORBITANT FEES FOR CONFERENCES/CONVENTIONS
> From: ran....@gmail.com
> To: secreta...@googlegroups.com