Mikel,
Would you be so kind as to tell me who the author of this article is?

That said, I would point out that Andrew Elsbree is the President-elect and will not take office until 2008.

One thing that has concerned me is the oft repeated statement that the 2007 convention had a record turnout, with numbers in the 1300 +/- range routinely being bandied about.

In the second paragraph it talks about the drop in attendance, no where do I see any numbers

While that number might be true if every man, woman, child etc was counted, regardless of why they were there, I think that if a breakout of that number was undertaken, we might find that the numbers tell a different tale.

And, having spent a lot of time in the Marketplace, I don't know how that number could be accurate. Even on the first day the Marketplace opened, it was not crowded and there were times when the Marketplace was quiet as a church and quite empty. Even some of the larger companies that have become "regulars" were missing. What's up with that? Or perhaps the question should be, "why is that?"

The 3rd paragraph talkes about the FIA market place and how it was so small number of people looking.


One of the bright spots(and there were several) for me was the team of Don and Margie Lee Gustafson at the banquet. Don's singing voice is wonderful and Margie did a superlative job as "Master(I didn't want to say 'mistress' or madam' )of Ceremonies.

I don't think he was evaluating the singing, but looking at the AFA mission statement and evaluating the Convention accordingly.

And, having spent a lot of time in the Marketplace, I don't know how that number could be accurate. Even on the first day the Marketplace opened, it was not crowded and there were times when the Marketplace was quiet as a church and quite empty. Even some of the larger companies that have become "regulars" were missing. What's up with that? Or perhaps the question should be, "why is that?"

One of the bright spots(and there were several) for me was the team of Don and Margie Lee Gustafson at the banquet. Don's singing voice is wonderful and Margie did a superlative job as "Master(I didn't want to say 'mistress' or madam' )of Ceremonies.

Yep! You won't catch me callin' Auntie Em a madam !!!!