Travel distance should never be the deciding factor for joint conferences. (it may be a deciding factor for an alumn to attend one, but the conferences are for the actives, not the alum...)

When Florida was one section, depending on where the Section Conference was, it was either a 2-3 hour drive or a 6-8 hour drive. And regardless of where the conference was, we just NEVER saw any area alum attending.

Now that we are 3 sections, having 3 separate Section Conferences is just NOT a good idea, and in fact, the next 3 years we will have joint conferences. Something I hope is extended. A section conference that can bring in 100 or so people from 10 or so chapters is going to be a MUCH better conference (better pricing, better workshops) then a section conference of maybe 30 or so people from 3-4 chapters. More section conferences in a region is also a bigger burden on the RD and staff, as the RD is required to be at all section conferences. So if there are joint conferences, that reduces the number they have to attend.

I acknowledge that the cultures of our regions and sections are different.

I definitely like this idea. I do drive everywhere and have no problem but with gas going up and I am sure will be higher by the next year for sectionals, it would be better on most people's pockets.

I'm not doing sectional conferences these days for various reasons. I almost entirely work APO from behind the keyboard.

As for moving Mason, it happens when and if it happens...

Randy