We're trying to figure out the conference fee costs for a readers' event in Atlanta. Tentative dates are Sunday, July 23rd through Tuesday, July 25th. (RWA's big literacy signing is in the evening of Wednesday, July 26th. That day will be open for sightseeing!)
We've found a hotel (NOT the RWA Conference hotel, though -- that would be too expensive) that's a HUGE step up from the hotel we used in Tampa, but, because of that, it's slightly more expensive than was Tampa. As of right now, rooms in Atlanta will be $109/night, single or double occupancy. (It's a DoubleTree Suites hotel -- all rooms are suites and capable of comfortably rooming 3 people. We'll try to get that same $109 price for three in one suite, but we're not sure that's possible...)
The conference fee we're working with would be $156 and would include:
1) Three days of workshops/gatherings/booksignings/parties with me and guest authors (TBA, but I'm a huge fan of Cathy Mann, both as a writer and a person, so she's on my personal "must invite" list, and I would love to have Chuck Pfarrer back as well),
2) one lunch or breakfast with me and other guest authors (with authors spending at least 20 minutes at each table. There'll be a series of meals organized this way -- similar to what we did in Tampa with the "meal groups" but each attendee will get one chance to schmooze with the authors in a relatively less populated setting.),
3) Sunday night dinner/dessert party with the entire group,
4) Monday night dessert party with the entire group
Our question for you: Is $156 too much for three (four including Wednesday) days of fun and good company, even if it includes two complete meals (bar drinks not included, though) and one party/dessert event?
I've considered eliminating the Sunday night dinner -- making it a party with desserts only instead, but that would only lower the cost by $30, to $126. And then people still need to have dinner. Which will probably cost more than $30 and be far less convenient.
Another option would be to provide a limited number of $126 conference fees for people who want to save $ and skip the dinner (there's a Publix grocery store nearby and minifridges in every room), and only attend the dessert/party part of the Sunday evening event.
What do you think? Comments, suggestions, opinions!
-- Suz
P.S. Hey you readers in Louisiana and Texas! I've been thinking about you constantly!