|
|
MichaelJae Loyal user 281 Posts |
By any chance has the Magic Café ever considered holding a convention?
|
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Many years ago this was a plan however, there are many factors making it unfeasible. Besides the cost of sponsoring a convention, remember the Café is free, members are scattered around the world, There's really no good centrally located area for the convention,The owner is in California, the staff is scattered across the country. None of us really have the time to coordinate a convention. It's a nice idea but not at this time. Of course if Steve wants to setup a convention, all that could change.
Where the magic begins
|
mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
The number of Café members who regularly turn out for MindVention in Las Vegas suggests that this would be an excellent location.
|
MichaelJae Loyal user 281 Posts |
So basically a logistical nightmare. However, it is possible considering Steve could get plenty of support organizing a convention with the additional help from some of the members here whom have experience in "all things convention". Who knows, one day we might be seeing banners for "The 2nd Annual Magic Café Convention".
|
MichaelJae Loyal user 281 Posts |
Las Vegas would be an excellent host city. Vegas without the wife would be awesome!! Meeting Bob Cassidy would be priceless!! Black Box Cinema hits the dvd player every other month. Not really for the effects that Bob performs, but rather how he manipulates the spectators, the show. Although I do a billet switch now because of him. So, a convention in Vegas a year from now, perfect! Sounds like a thousand dollar weekend, I'll start saving now, or I could just cut my kids christmas list a lil.
|
mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
MichaelJae-
In the meantime, just come to MindVention. Even our own Steve Brooks was at the last one. |
Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
Actually I normally attend MindVention every year - I missed last year only because I was lecturing in Canada at the time.
In regards to an official Magic Café convention I have considered this idea from time to time. Having attended many, many conventions both large and small over the years I pretty much know what people seem to prefer and what they most often complain about. That said, location, Hotel set up, major airport, and of course cost all factor into organizing such an event. You really have to be careful, I have seen people lose their homes over putting a convention together. These days there seems to be a slew of magic conventions each year and attendance to these events is dwindling. The only two conventions that I have been to that seem to be doing things correctly is MAGIC LIVE in Las Vegas and of course BLACKPOOL. Its not that I'm against doing such a thing, but I want it to be done right. Who knows, perhaps one day we will have an actual Magic Café convention - but at the moment I would rather keep my hair and my sanity. I do, however appreciate the positive comments from our Café community - It is very encouraging. ---
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
|
mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Steve- I think Danny Archer and Robert Allen have been doing MindVention pretty well for the last eleven years. (It is, of course, a smaller convention than the ones you mentioned, but nonetheless it's been done correctly IMO.)
|
Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
MindVention is fine Bob, I was really talking more about larger conventions and let's face it, an official Magic Café convention would by default be a larger convention.
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
|
HudsonView New user 98 Posts |
A large convention CAN banckrupt you, if anything goes wrong. I used to produce conferences and the first one, I almost did lose my house. At the end I made only $15k for 4 months work. Unless you have deep pockets, conferences should be avoided.
|
MichaelJae Loyal user 281 Posts |
Deep pockets would be necessary if you don't have enough attendees doing early registration. Im sure all the venues are going to require a deposit. Lets face it, marketing is usually the determinig factor between success and failure. Steve is the head of the largest database of magicians on the planet. Im sure with all of his experience and expertise he would make a Café Convention the most entertaining, successful, talked about convention year after year. The reason I brought up the question is to hope that one day their would be a convention with all genres of magic (stage, close up, kids, mentalism, hypnosis, balloons, juggiling, ventriloquist, escapes). I couldn't think of a better place, that holds this much of a variety of personnel.
|
HudsonView New user 98 Posts |
" Im sure all the venues are going to require a deposit."
they require a heck of a lot more than a deposit. You need to provide a guarantee, and you are on the hook for that guarantee whether you sell any tickets or not. I was in debt $150k before I knew if I would sell a single ticket or find a single sponsor. If there is a major storm or some other problem prevents people from getting to the event and they cancel, you are still on the hook to the hotel for the quarantee. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » I want to see the manager! » » Convention? (3 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |