Page 18 - ACTL Journal Fall24

SATURDAY NIGHT INDUCTION BANQUET
We are continually asked why the Induction Banquet reg- istration fee is so expensive, especially when a Fellow and spouse or guest can go out to dinner for much less. Con- sider the total cost for the banquet, which includes the re- ception, dinner and wine. Then factor in the décor, the en- tertainment following the banquet (whether that is a band or DJ) and the piano player for the sing-along. All these costs must go into the final registration fee for the banquet, so it is not just the meal you are paying for. Think of it as planning a wedding at every meeting.
BREAKING EVEN
Armed with cost information secured by our staff, the Exec- utive Committee sets the registration fee based on expected attendance. Our goal is to set a “break-even” registration fee – a fee that covers all costs associated with the meet- ing. Because experience tells us that not all attendees will be present at the Induction Ceremony and Banquet on Sat- urday night, we offer a separate ticket for that event. Once again, a break-even philosophy applies to setting the price of that ticket.
Our staff does an excellent job budgeting the expected costs and projecting the number of attendees for our meetings. Due to the increased interest in the Spring Meeting this year, the registration and other fees for the meeting topped $1,000,000, as did expenses, leaving us with a surplus of revenue over expenses of less than $25,000. That amounts to a surplus of approximately 2%, which allows for unex- pected expenses and is a sign of prudent financial manage- ment. However, in looking at both the Annual and Spring Meeting surpluses and deficits since the pandemic (Annual 2021 to Spring 2024) the College is currently running an overall deficit of about $150,000.
The registration fees for the Annual Meeting in Nashville will be lower than those for the Spring Meeting in Phoenix. This is because (1) we anticipate more attendees in Nashville, which spreads the fixed costs of having the meeting among more people thus lowering the average cost per attendee; and (b) many meeting-related expenses are lower-priced in
Nashville than in Phoenix.
We hope this gives you a better understanding of the ex- penses associated with the College national meetings and how the registration fees for those meetings are determined. We encourage you to join us at upcoming meetings. If you do join us, we believe that you will find that the meetings provide great value and, in the words of the Induction Charge given at each national meeting for almost seven- ty-five years, will allow you to “find pleasure and charm in the illustrious company of [your] contemporaries and take the keenest delight in exalting [your] friendships.”
John Day Treasurer
17
JOURNAL
The Executive Committee recognizes that the hotel rates and registration fees for our meetings are out of reach for some of our Fellows. Because we believe our meetings are enriched by the presence of our judicial and public service Fellows the College provides reduced registration fees to these Fellows.