CHEA’s first and second conventions in the 1980s were at churches, but as the event grew it became necessary to find accommodations large enough for an expanding event. Colleges didn’t have the right mix of large exhibit and keynote spaces and larger rooms for workshops. Our only alternative was a city or regionally-owned convention center.
Convention Centers charge for everything, including water, emptying trash, audio visual equipment, and food and beverage–plus they don’t allow outside food and beverage (there are a few exceptions, but none we’ve been able to contract with). Costs mount quickly adding up to many thousands of dollars.
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A typical convention in a convention center costs $90,000 to $100,000, which includes a mandatory food and beverage expenditure of from $30,000 to $40,000. (We didn’t stay at the Disneyland® Hotel because they asked for a mandatory food and beverage of $131,000!) In addition there are the hotel costs for speakers and staff; equipment such as chairs, tables, pipe and drape for the Exhibit Hall, etc.; honoraria and travel costs for speakers, printing, shipping, etc. The breakdown looks something like this:
• $100,000 Facility
• $21,000 hotel
• $20,000 equipment
• $10,000 honoraria and travel
This totals $151,000, not including many other miscellaneous costs such as printing, shipping, etc. To cover this, CHEA needs adequate attendance, audio sales, exhibitor fees, etc.
In addition to these costs are the salaries paid to office staff to plan and execute the event over about a one-year period, plus the overhead during that year to provide a workspace, computer equipment, maintenance, wifi, and all the typical office expenses. CHEA pays staff about half of the going wage for similar work done elsewhere. And it still takes an army of volunteers on top of that.
Speaking of volunteers, CHEA provides about $14,200 in complimentary registrations to volunteers and preschool parents.
Oh my. When you break it down like that….
Do you think not having it at Disneyland hurt the attendance? How was the attendance compared to the last time you held it in Pasadena? Obviously, the great homeschooling conference is competing for southern Californian attendees at a less expensive cost now… Though I would not be inclined to attend the GHC again, as I did not think it was as good as Chea, unless Chea does return to Disneyland, I think I will personally head to Texas next year for the ACCS.
I disagree. I will not attend if it goes to Disneyland again. Disney is no longer the family friendly brand it was in the 1960s and early 1970s. The expense for everything in the vicinity of Disneyland is astronomical! My first several conventions were at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario CA. It is much more central to EVERYONE in southern California. People from San Diego would have a much short (and much easier) drive to Ontario. OC and IE are close by and LA too. It should be moved to Ontario, or a church big enough to handle it.
I am an exhibitor and grandfather of 8 who is extremely concerned over the radical moral decline in our nation. Christian homeschooling is our first and final area of defense and I see a great rise in interest in California among typical Christian parents in turning to homeschooling; however, we reside in the most expensive state in the nation to live in and it is vital that the cost per person/per family be reduced in order that single-income families can afford to receive the benefits of attending a CHEA convention. Reduce the price and attendance will increase. I agree that Pasadena and Anaheim are simply too expensive and not as central a location to allow for easy travel to and from. I pray you will find a far less costly venue and lower the price for attendance. Exhibitor prices are not the issue, but it makes no sense to pay those costs when attendance falls.
I was wondering if costs could be cut by having the convention in a little lesser known location like Ontario CA? They have a very nice convention center there and hopefully the cost would be less as it is more inland and not as popular of a destination.
It used to be at the Ontario Convention center. It was very nicely done, and many amenities near by due to the airport. I would love to see it moved there again.
Moving to Disneyland seems to have affected how many vendors were able to participate. I don’t know if it was the expense of such a venue or if it was because it was moved to May that first time but after that first year there I didn’t go back. The convention just didn’t offer enough. I was inclined to go this year since it was later in the year but just for a shopping pass it would have cost $90. That is just ridiculous! The GHC had way more vendors and very good lecturers at only $35. Having worked at Disneyland I know having a convention there can’t be cheap and I think that’s what sunk it. When the prices are lowered I’ll probably be back, in addition to attending GHC, but until then I’ll stick solely with GHC. I also have to be responsible with my money and $90 just to shop with no lectures…..no. My other beef is that for the price you could bring a spouse but not your child?! Really, you should be able to bring any other one person!!
While we have been homeschooling for 6 years in California, we have never attended a single convention. Our budget has never been free enough to allow both that and food for my family. But I have a background as an association staff member, so I can certainly appreciate all the hard work of CHEA staff members. It is a lot of hard work, late nights, headaches with exhibitors, unrealistic expectations of attendees and/or speakers, and venue costs that are well beyond reasonable. The relational nightmares are enough to send you to your knees in prayer every moment. And in nearly every non-profit who hosts conventions, this is a substaintial portion of annual income. Looking in from the outside, I have one huge concern: Great Homeschool Convention used poor judgment in both its choice of location and timing to host a competing convention. We should NEVER be in competition with one another. In other professions, when the national association hosts it’s convention, they partner with the host state for the convention. Everyone benefits from a larger event, no one suffers financial loss. This situation raises questions as to the motivations and goals of GHC and it’s “parent” organization, National Center for Life and Liberty. I’d be curious to know if other state association sponsored conventions suffered similar losses as a result of GHC. It benefits no one if we destroy our support network, GHC wouldn’t even have a place in this world if it wasn’t for organizations like CHEA. What motivated NCLL to start hosting competing conventions rather than add its strength to the existing network? It’s disappointing to see this.
Megan, According to those who spoke to the founder of GHC (I haven’t personally spoken with him), he decided it was time the homeschooling community had a “professionally”-run convention. The first and main event in Cincinnati completely devastated the Ohio state group, but it is starting to rebound.
Thanks for asking.
Susan
Not True. Cincinnati completely wiped out Chea of ohio. Remember GHC might be cheap but as soon as he can not make money GHC will go a away. That will leave California without a convention. Plus if you need help for legislation where is GHC? The answer is support CHEA. Good Steward Bboks
Thank you for all you do!
I attended SEVERAL northern California conventions years ago. As my family grew (we have 13 children now including two sets of twins) it became overwhelming for me to add this sort of support to my schedule along with several financial hardships we have encountered and the pressures of everyday life.
I’m just now reading that no longer is there even a Northern Ca CHEA held. My thought is that perhaps one day you could launch a webinar…or stream a conference or some key discussions live for a donation…it would raise knowledge and awareness and help SOOO many mothers as myself who couldn’t realistically get away but could gain insight and support from their home while juggling the day to day. Seems if you did charge for it it would help your costs.
I’m pretty sure this has already been contemplated as I see how old this post is but I don’t have time at the moment to investigate whether or not it has so figured I’d write my.thoughts! Still homeschooling!
Blessings,
Renee
We love to hear from homeschooling parents and hear their suggestions! I’ll pass this on to the Board of Directors. May God bless you in your continued homeschooling efforts!