Let's think about it from a collegiate perspective, as it sounds like you are not an alumna (yet). A formal for a chapter of 60-ish, so say 100 people with dates, in a nice city hotel with a sit down dinner can run $5-8k without any extras (and that's the cost when I planned then 10 years ago!!).:eek: Add transportation, DJ, Dance floor, third party vendor for beverages....and before you know it, you are out $10k+! And that just for ONE night?

A Convention for 3-4 days, multiple meal options, additional conference rooms for breakout sessions, hotel staff to serve the 500+ people who attend. Well, it's expensive! FHQ makes Convention as cost effective as possible by giving US, the attendee's, the option to pick and choose the events we want to attend. If you don't want to attend everyday all day, select the parts that are important for you and your interests.

If you are close enough to drive...pay for the parts you want to attend, pile some of your sisters in a car, and GO! If you cannot, talk to your chapter about adding additional budget for the next Convention. Or better yet, attend The Workout session next summer with a large collegiate group. The The Workout is much cheaper and many times more exciting for a collegiate.

Unfortunately all collegiates cannot attend events such as convention, but it's not due to being exclusive. And for the diversity comment, I'm not sure how Convention would promote diversity other than already having sisters from each collegiate chapter in attendance. We are all Alpha Xi Delta's after all! Lastly, I was a volunteer presenter at the last Convention as were 2 sisters with me....I paid my own way and so did they. Granted we weren't keynote speakers, but in ANY Convention a keynote speaker is a special guest and therefore a cost I am willing to pay for in my fees.

I understand the financial concerns....I took an $8k pay cut this year and it hurts really bad, but I'm budgeting to go, getting a hotel roomie, and picking the events that matter to me. Do what Amanda did....she created a savings account, just for Convention!!

Just my two cents.....sorry I'm wordy, but it's been a long, long few days in Alpha Xi advisor land and I finally get my give my opinion!:rolleyes:

many moons ago as a collegiate (eary 1970s) I really wanted to go to convention and couldn't afford it. My father every year had us setup a Christmas club account to which we made weekly deposits out of our allowance. When I graduated and got a job, I took that example and setup a convention fund and made deposits to it from each check. Over two years, you end up with money for convention... doesn't help much for this year, but if you start now you'll have money for 2011.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I guess I hadn't looked at like that. I know other sisters that have gone and had a good time, and that's what I'd like to do. Guess I won't be able to go but will start saving

Yay! I got my plane ticket. There is no turning back now.

Okay...the excursions have been posted for a little while. are any of you going?

I think I'm going to do the Coors Brewery one...even though I hate beer.

I am undecided... I am a huge Titanic fan but it seems like a museum visit and what fun is that. I think the brewery would be more social.

I really wanted to go rock climbing or white water rafting or something like that.

So far I am also leaning towards the brewery. Let me know your final answer Amanda.

Well, registration for the excursions is due by June 18th, so we've got about 2 more weeks to decide. I think I am going to go ahead and register for it when my next paycheck comes in. I am not a spa kinda person, and like you, I'm not too keen on museums.

Do we want to try for a greek chat meet up? We've tried in the past .. without alot of success ...

Usual meeting place has been the hospitality room before the opening dinner ... any takers this year?

I'm in. Matching faces and names would be nice.

What time does the opening dinner start? My flight comes in the afternoon. I'd be interested in seeing the Greekchatters again. I think we met up in Arizona.

Welcome Banquet is scheduled from 6-8pm with Alumnae and Collegiate receptions following.

FYI: Shuttle information from the airport:

http://www.alphaxidelta.org/clientup...nformation.pdf

I actually did not get the email with this information in it - I only found out about it because the chapter I advise sent it to me.

Have you checked into riding the train. I know last time I went to Denver for a conference my group took the train from the airport to the hotel we were staying at.

Just checking in before I go catch my flight ... convention #16 here I come ...

looking forward to seeing everyone there

Hope everyone's having a good time at Convention - so sad I couldn't be there. I want to hear stories when everyone gets back!