Purchase convention shows healthy profit

By Gene Jones, 1983 Convention Chairman

Now that the proverbial dust has settled on the 36th Annual IJA Convention, we have finally closed the books for that massive undertaking. I am pleased to report that the IJA made a healthy profit to fund future operations.

Treasurer Ginny Rose has double-checked my accounting for this summer's convention at Purchase, New York, to verify our profit of $20,640.29. This profit was almost entirely generated from ticket sales to events and film rights .revenues. Here is a brief breakdown of major expenses and revenues:

* These figures represent the IJA share of ticket sales (50 percent taken by Summerfare.)

** Figures from this point down were estimated, based on registration figures of 312 package plans and 154 non-package plans. For general admission fee, general public attendance was estimated at 100 persons per day for five days. All estimates are accurate within less than 10 percent.

A few notes on some of the expenditures: $1,000 was paid to IJA members who participated in the Headliner Show. Another $1,885 was paid in the form of refunds for housing and other fees to IJA members who helped out at registration, Film Night, and the championships. Approximately $450 was spent on improving the workshops. Almost $1000 was spent on championship competition. The Cocktail and Welcome party cost a combined total of $2,444.55. $100 was contributed to the Bobby May fund. Sales and expenses for t-shirts and other souvenirs are not included in convention accounting.

The profits from the last two conventions provide the IJA with necessary financial security to operate to pay deposits for convention facilities (this year we had to borrow $10,000 to secure convention services in advance). There are many other uses for the money earned at the convention, such as funding improvements in JUGGLER.'S WORLD and expanding services to affiliates. ....

At this point, membership dues barely cover the basic costs of printing the magazine and roster. Therefore, convention revenues are essential to keep membership dues from rising in the light of increased costs of general operations.

My thanks to all IJA members who worked so hard and enthusia3tiqally at the convention for making this year's event the most financially successful in the history of our organization.

IJA receives gift of props

Thanks to David Pollack of New York City who contributed the following juggling props to the IJA in September: six clubs, ten juggling balls, three rings, one diabolo, one devil stick and a unicycle.

These will either be sold to members at a large discount or be available for use by members at the next Annual Convention. We would be happy to hear from members concerning formation of a policy for these and other gifts in- kind.

Members are reminded that all financial and in-kind gifts to the organization, as well as membership fees, are tax-deductible