|
bonsai is not my hobby
Join Date: Oct-2001
Location: Egling, south of Munich
Country: Germany
Posts: 1,451
|
I have the great luck to get invited all over the world for conventions, club events, 'shows' etc.. Normally they want a workshop for only two to three hours. Or they demand a demo of a raffle tree.
I never fail to point out that a much longer workhop, like a full day at least, would be so much better. People could bring several trees, they could bring all sorts of material, from raw to 'finished'. The first two hours of the workshop would be a thorough joint tree critique of whatever is there.
I never fail to tell them that a raffle tree is not such a good idea. Especially when I have to do it within two hours. It almost never is the right kind of material, often chosen by the treasurer.
I never fail to offer what I call a tree inspiration. It is an event where as many people as possible bring one or several trees in all stages of development. I speak about every single one thoroughly. It can last up to four hours in one session. There can be two sessions in one day. It costs just the same as if I had done the silly raffle tree. The scheme for the members can be that every one who brings a tree pays five dollars. Or even better, every one who does NOT bring a tree pays five dollars. There can be as many people as the room holds. I have done this with 50 to 100 people and more.
Result: they come back 'we understand, but our format is set and we ask you to do the short workshop and the two hour demo'.
It has all to do with the organizers. It has to do with their concept of never losing money with a visitor from outside. It has all to do with 'we always have done it that way and it worked'.
It also has to do with finances. A top name gets at least US$ 500 per day. For five days that's 2,500. Who is going to pay for that?
I ask a lump sum for a weekand and they can get whatever they want. Usually they want the raffle tree and two workshops. Forgive me, before I say no, normally I will finally do it.
|