Comments on: The holy conference war http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/ by Jeff Jarvis Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:21:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: linda seebach http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28221 linda seebach Wed, 01 Feb 2006 16:42:39 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28221 If churches hosted conferences, the revenues probably woudn't be tax-deductible .... that's "unrelated" to their religious function. That aside, colleges love to host conferences when classes aren't in session, and they offer nearby luxury hotels for people who think themselves above dorm facilities. If churches hosted conferences, the revenues probably woudn’t be tax-deductible …. that’s “unrelated” to their religious function.

That aside, colleges love to host conferences when classes aren’t in session, and they offer nearby luxury hotels for people who think themselves above dorm facilities.

]]> By: Tish Grier http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28189 Tish Grier Wed, 01 Feb 2006 12:54:50 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28189 Great idea, but a couple of problems: the moneychanger thing....since so many conferences also have trade shows attached (esp. blogging confs.) it would be a little weird--although the trade show part could be held, if the church also has a school, in the school cafeteria. there's also the deep, dark hatred that so many feel towards religion. I'm sure there are folks who, on principle, wouldn't set foot in a church for a conference (although I would love to see Sam Harris spill his vitriol in a good, old-fashioned liberal protestant church--and to see how people would react.) I'm sure there are those who would claim that holding a conference in a church would inhibit their free speech because of all the dogma that churches represent. And there's the luxury aspect. Many conference venues (esp. high level) are rather luxurious, if not very pretty. Some churches are pretty bare bones. Would conference goers be happy sitting in metal folding chairs, without cushioned seats, for long periods of time? Would presenters be able to deal with not being on a stage? I wonder. Great idea, but a couple of problems:

the moneychanger thing….since so many conferences also have trade shows attached (esp. blogging confs.) it would be a little weird–although the trade show part could be held, if the church also has a school, in the school cafeteria.

there’s also the deep, dark hatred that so many feel towards religion. I’m sure there are folks who, on principle, wouldn’t set foot in a church for a conference (although I would love to see Sam Harris spill his vitriol in a good, old-fashioned liberal protestant church–and to see how people would react.) I’m sure there are those who would claim that holding a conference in a church would inhibit their free speech because of all the dogma that churches represent.

And there’s the luxury aspect. Many conference venues (esp. high level) are rather luxurious, if not very pretty. Some churches are pretty bare bones. Would conference goers be happy sitting in metal folding chairs, without cushioned seats, for long periods of time? Would presenters be able to deal with not being on a stage? I wonder.

]]> By: Jersey Exile http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28148 Jersey Exile Wed, 01 Feb 2006 03:05:59 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28148 All snarkiness aside, it's not a terrible idea, except that I would imagine you'd run into certain unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Catholics are increasingly fond of Saturday Mass (and earlier and earlier to boot), and several other branches of Christianity have a pretty full devotional roster during the week as well. And what about weddings, baptisms, and all of the events already figured into a busy parish's schedule as much as several months in advance? What happens if a church is forced to choose between the Jones' wedding and hosting a conference that will pull in ten times the dough and not even require the services of Ethel the organist? The conference business is after all a business, and even scaled down I can't imagine that money not having a corrupting influence in the long run... All snarkiness aside, it’s not a terrible idea, except that I would imagine you’d run into certain unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Catholics are increasingly fond of Saturday Mass (and earlier and earlier to boot), and several other branches of Christianity have a pretty full devotional roster during the week as well.

And what about weddings, baptisms, and all of the events already figured into a busy parish’s schedule as much as several months in advance? What happens if a church is forced to choose between the Jones’ wedding and hosting a conference that will pull in ten times the dough and not even require the services of Ethel the organist? The conference business is after all a business, and even scaled down I can’t imagine that money not having a corrupting influence in the long run…

]]> By: Robert Hoffer http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28144 Robert Hoffer Wed, 01 Feb 2006 02:05:13 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28144 Have the churches themselves actually manage the shows. Then the funds they raise would be tax free and the companies could deduct the fees charged by the churches for the booths, electrical, chairs, and even spots in the flyer and sponsorships. You don't suppose that churches would want any control over the content at the shows do you ... hmmm... Have the churches themselves actually manage the shows. Then the funds they raise would be tax free and the companies could deduct the fees charged by the churches for the booths, electrical, chairs, and even spots in the flyer and sponsorships.

You don’t suppose that churches would want any control over the content at the shows do you … hmmm…

]]> By: Bostoniangirl http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28108 Bostoniangirl Tue, 31 Jan 2006 21:20:54 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28108 I like Rick Segal's idea to use movie theaters on a week day. I like Rick Segal’s idea to use movie theaters on a week day.

]]> By: Jeremy Wright http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28107 Jeremy Wright Tue, 31 Jan 2006 21:19:22 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28107 Churches. Hotels. Movie theatres. Most will rent you the venue for less than 5K for a day. Churches. Hotels. Movie theatres. Most will rent you the venue for less than 5K for a day.

]]> By: Wise One http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28089 Wise One Tue, 31 Jan 2006 17:56:33 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28089 Great idea. Most churches have social halls and kitchens too. Just hire the church ladies to make lunch. Calling all pastors. Here is a potential source of extra revenue. Worth some thought. Great idea. Most churches have social halls and kitchens too. Just hire the church ladies to make lunch.

Calling all pastors. Here is a potential source of extra revenue. Worth some thought.

]]> By: rcjordan http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28060 rcjordan Tue, 31 Jan 2006 15:22:20 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28060 I should add that though the link trail goes cold when following those early articles the non-conference concept is still very much alive and well --though we had to take it "underground" as it was in danger of becoming a victim of its own success. I should add that though the link trail goes cold when following those early articles the non-conference concept is still very much alive and well –though we had to take it “underground” as it was in danger of becoming a victim of its own success.

]]> By: rcjordan http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28059 rcjordan Tue, 31 Jan 2006 15:12:25 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28059 we developed an alternative, jeff, the story starts here http://www.pandia.com/sw-2001/42-pubconference.html we developed an alternative, jeff, the story starts here
http://www.pandia.com/sw-2001/42-pubconference.html

]]> By: Jersey Exile http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28058 Jersey Exile Tue, 31 Jan 2006 14:58:18 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/31/the-holy-conference-war/#comment-28058 That's a swell idea, Jeff! We could even set up vendor booths in the atrium, with money-changers for foreign conventioneers... ...wait, where have I heard this one before? That’s a swell idea, Jeff! We could even set up vendor booths in the atrium, with money-changers for foreign conventioneers…

…wait, where have I heard this one before?

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