[MR] lowering event fees

[nualaofneedwood at aol.com]

Good gentles:

As a relatively new sca family (6 years) with two adults and five children between us (although only two of the kids regularly play locally) we obviously like the "family cap" on site fees and think that's a really nice and effective thing to do to encourage the next generation of scadians. But we don't feel the fees in general are at all unreasonable - - rather just the opposite: I cannot believe the sca can run these events and offer these magnificent feasts for so small a sum over and over!

When we first started going to events I was dumbfounded. Now I can see all the ways we keep fees so low, all the work that goes into an event, all the ways money is saved and absolutely everyone pitches in. It's great. I do not think it at all realistic to save further money by using more and more primitive sites, or more run-down sites exclusively - - I agree with Fen that nice facilities are also really appealing and often worth paying a little more for. I love primitive camping so don't think I am against it - - but the savings in site rental is somewhat offset by the necessity and trouble of renting johns and setting up water stations and trying to cook a feast for 50 without any facilities at all, etc . . . 

>From an economic point of view you must consider the elasticity of your demand - - if you reduce your services and the quality of your product and at the same time reduce your prices, you can end up worse off on the bottom line instead of better off. Providing affordable events in well-run, beautiful, clean sites is possibly the best path overall. But it is also possible that on the other end of the scale, expensive events in gorgeous luxury sites, might have lower attendance (or maybe even not ...) but bring in more revenue overall. It all depends on where you are on the demand elasticity. From all the postings and attendance at this spring's events, I suspect we are in no danger of seeing numbers drop at the prices now being charged. 

With regards to the $20 cost of the all-day metal symposium, you might be interested to note that an 8-session (2-hour) course in calligraphy I took this spring at the Smithsonian costs $220 for Resident Associate members. Believe me, the A & S offerings at Pennsic and even at local events are incredible bargains and very affordable compared to what is available in the mundane world. It's that spirit of everyone pitching in according to your talents and abilities and sharing what we know with each other that makes the dream possible for all. 

Nuala