@RUTGERS.ARPA:OC.TREI@CU20B.ARPA (03/19/85)
From: Peter G. Trei <OC.TREI@CU20B.ARPA> To add fuel to the debate on the motivations and goals for running SF Cons, I here give some figures on LACon II, the 1984 WorldCon, which appeared in Locus #290 Sponsored by the Southern California Institute for Fan Interests (SCIFI) 8214 attended, membership 9406 Hucksters: 175 dealers, 200 tables. Art Show: 269 artists, 2711 pieces, $112,000+ sales Convention profit: nearly $200,000 How the profit was distributed: To reimburse volunteer speakers, staff and helpers, on a sliding scale from membership to full expenses (depending on time worked): $65,000 Bidding for '90 in LA: $20,000 Consortium to Bail Out Constellation: $10,000 To LASFS to improve club facilities: $10,000 To NESFA for clubhouse fund: $10,000 To Richard Eney, publisher of the Fancyclopedia III, the delayed Con book: $7,500 To TAFF, DUFF, and GUFF, (in 6 $500 chunks), provided a previous winner writes a trip report before each chunk is given: $3,000 To Aussiecon II, sponsoring con suite refreshments: $2,000 To the Fan Fund Publishing Project: $1,000 To the British Columbia SF Association, to defray losses at V-Con 12: $500 About $65,000 is being held for uses determined to be of benefit to fandom, such as thankyou parties at conventions, a cooperative organization for SF clubs, and aid for clubs and cons in trouble. SCIFI would like to hear suggestions for further uses (write to SCIFI, Box 8442, Van Nuys, Ca 91409). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Is $22 an excessive fee? (There WAS a $10 badge available on Sunday afternoon.) All these prices are pulled out of the same issue of Locus. They are at-door admission prices for 3 day cons, NOT including a banquet, if any. Of course, this is not a random selection; but it shows that NESFA is not totally off the wall: Norwescon 8 $25 Nadacon $39 ($13/day) Balticon 19 $25 Deltacon $25 Fantasy Worlds Festival $30 Alti-Egos $35 Baycon '85 $35 CostumeCon 3 $30 Hatcon '85 $35 Con Amore (Australia) A$30 Shadowcon IX $25 Westercon 38 >$30 MythCon XVI >$31.50 Aussicon II (5 day Worldcon) $60 More Easterly Con >$25.60 Nasfic 1985 (4? days) ~$50 World Fantasy Convention >$35 ConCon 2 $30 Confederation (5 day Worldcon >$45 By the way; the LOWEST membership appears to be $1, for an 'apocryphal' membership at MediaWest*Con. Peter Trei oc.trei@cu20b.arpa -------