phild
28-01-2010, 11:20 AM
Greetings fellow AIM members. Sorry to start my first post with a little bit of a "whinge" but just wondering if others want to add their thoughts on the AIM PNF's (now "Hot Topics") having a $20 cover charge for members in 2010?
Let me first say, the PNF's in 2009 were taken to a much more professional level than in previous years and all those AIM staff involved are to be congratulated on this achievement. This includes the quality of the catering, the organisation of the speakers and the general administration of these events.
However, I must say I feel that the number of attendees will inevitably drop off due to the charge. This is a concern because I feel one downside of these events is - with all due respects to these professionals - they tend to attract a high proportion of "management consultants" seeking to drum up business. I would really like AIM to focus on somehow getting a higher proportion of representatives attending from private and public industry - of which there are numerous examples around the city and North Sydney. As I move about my customers in these industry circles I frequently mention the AIM and most managers of industry aren't even aware of this type of event.
The $20 cover charge will make it even harder to attract this type of representative with whom I wish to network. I feel that the annual fees paid to AIM should be used to maintain the PNF's/Hot Topics as a free event for members. I know there are other overheads to cover for AIM, but the catering for this event surely cannot reach $20 per head. If so, it could even be toned down a little in the interest of maintaining quality and quantity of attendees.
What do others think?
Let me first say, the PNF's in 2009 were taken to a much more professional level than in previous years and all those AIM staff involved are to be congratulated on this achievement. This includes the quality of the catering, the organisation of the speakers and the general administration of these events.
However, I must say I feel that the number of attendees will inevitably drop off due to the charge. This is a concern because I feel one downside of these events is - with all due respects to these professionals - they tend to attract a high proportion of "management consultants" seeking to drum up business. I would really like AIM to focus on somehow getting a higher proportion of representatives attending from private and public industry - of which there are numerous examples around the city and North Sydney. As I move about my customers in these industry circles I frequently mention the AIM and most managers of industry aren't even aware of this type of event.
The $20 cover charge will make it even harder to attract this type of representative with whom I wish to network. I feel that the annual fees paid to AIM should be used to maintain the PNF's/Hot Topics as a free event for members. I know there are other overheads to cover for AIM, but the catering for this event surely cannot reach $20 per head. If so, it could even be toned down a little in the interest of maintaining quality and quantity of attendees.
What do others think?