We need to inject some realism into this discussion and that means
looking in some detail at Quanta's finances.
We have to stop thinking that Quanta has a huge pot of gold. Admittedly
there is still some gold, but it is a very small pot.
In practiced Quanta's finances are in a more serious condition than most
members realise and there is no quick fix for the problems.
Quanta has made a financial loss in 8 of the last 10 years and, on
average, the loss works out at £700 per year. Almost £600 of that loss
is down to the QLis21 and QLis25 events. In other words these shows have
made a major contribution to Quanta's present financial trouble.
Now consider income. On the last available membership figures we now
have under 100 subscription paying members. On the basis of this figure
I would predict a future annual income between £2,000 and £2,500, and
probably nearer the lower value than the higher.
A QLis30 event run on the lines of the previous two shows would cost
more than Quanta's income in 2014. In the worst case scenario it would
cost one and a half times the annual income.
In those circumstances I would fully support John Gilpin when he says we
cannot afford QLis30.
Where I depart from Quanta is they have failed to look at alternative
ways of running a 2014 event. In particular they have not looked at the
possibility of a 1 day event. I have suggested that this could be done
for £1,000. This is not a figure that I have just thought up for this
discussion, but one that I reached a year ago and suggested in a QL
Today editorial.
Quanta's problems is that is still lives in the world when it had 2,000
members and has the mentality that "what we have always done, we always
have to do". It needs to start thinking simply and go back to first
principles. Learn how to organise a no frills show. It is what happens
at a show that is important and not the Quanta frippery.
I would urge Quanta to go back to the drawing board and look at the
possibility of a 1 day event.
I have considered Rich's proposal carefully and I like it, but sorry
Rich, you have not produced for me a business case. I have no idea from
what you write how much the show would cost Quanta. If you want this
show to go ahead you really need to do more homework. I need to know
who the partners will be, how reliable they are, and what the relative
costs would be for Quanta. I need to know an estimate of attendance and,
given that there was a loss on the last occasion, what you anticipate
the loss to be. I also need to know more than just the venue costs. As
Sarah has pointed out there are many other costs to a show. Venue costs
represented about a third of the total costs of QLis21 and about a half
of the costs of QLis25.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the discussion so far,
Best Wishes,
Geoff
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