Mr. Alway and LDRS?

"Gene Costanza" asked:

No. When I found out the vendor fee, I took a hard look at costs and probable sales and decided it was wiser to stay home. Besides, I'm running out of time getting things ready for NARAM.

Peter Alway

Saturn Press PO Box 3709 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-3709

Does the NAR charge Vendors any fees at any of their high profile events?

NARAM, NSL, NARCON ?

shockie B)

Recognizing the challenges that rocketry vendors have faced over the past several years, the Austin Area Rocketry Group did not charge vendors to sell their products at the '04 National Sport Launch. More than twenty vendors made generous contributions to our door prize pool, and fourteen vendors attended the event. If vendors wished to fly at NSL, they were assessed the standard participant range fee ($20-$30, depending on when they registered).

The decision was left to the host section, and was not dictated by NAR.

Note, however, that NSL is a significantly smaller event than LDRS, and not nearly as capital-intensive. I would not presume to make any judgements about the LDRS budget and fees without a view into the planning process, and laud the organizers for stepping up to host the event.

James

______________________

James Duffy '04 NSL Event Director snipped-for-privacy@mac.com

Self-imposed by TRA and NAR!!

I would far rather NAR institute policies to vastly liberalize rocketry within the scope of their jurisdiction, and then CHARGE FEES because everyone is making money hand over fist!

I would be first in line.

Jerry

A few years ago, NSL was in upstate New York (not geneseo, farther East), and they charged $75. Again, I passed on it. I should admit that the $75 there and the $150 at LDRS for latecomers werent' really the overwhelming expenses one might make them out to be (they are less than hotels and travel), but they did make me think real hard and look at the numbers when I might have blithely paid two or three times that in hotel bills if it weren't for the vendor fees.

One problem is that I sell $35 books--not that big an item, and nobody needs two. A vendor who sells $75 kits and $50 reloads and stuff might easily make $5000 or more at an LDRS. I'm lucky to make a third of that, gross. So a fee that might be reasonable for an HPR motor and kit vendor is pretty steep for me.

Peter Alway

Saturn Press PO Box 3709 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-3709

Mark E. Hamilton NAR 48641-Sr

Or at least pay his way. The Austin Area Rocketry Group held a raffle to raise money for Peter to attend the NARCON in Dallas a few years back. Peter even donated a few books to the cause!

NARCON 2003 didn't charge any vendor fees other than for printed advertising in the program (size =ing cost). If a vendor led a workshop their registration fee was waived (but they had to pay for dinner!) Vendors were very generous in their donations for the raffle. Even with only 70 attendees we managed to put a few $ in the NAR till.

For the past 2 years at Plaster Blaster, we've charged $25 early registration for the four days, $35 at the gate, $10 single day. NO charge for parking or observing. I think vendors will be charged $50 but I may be mistaken. Two years in a row of 6 Hypertec M-1000s lighting simulaneously have shaken my fillings enough to warrent dentures!

Mike (Sparky5.0) Jerauld NARCON 2003 Co-Director