Hi, everyone, I am reaching out to all PNWGG members and asking you to consider participating in the upcoming July 8, 2024 PNWGG Board Meeting. The topic of discussion will be whether or not we should continue to participate in the annual Gathering of the Guild show.
I, like many of you, have participated in this show in some capacity since 2004. It has been a way for many members to have their work viewed by the public and other artists and helped garner publicity for their and for the guild’s work. It has also been a way to interact with other guild members, form partnerships and make new friends. Since 2019, the running of the show has been done by a LLC formed with officers and members of the potters and the 5 creative guilds. But, since 2019, the cost of the show has gone up each year, which has made it increasingly more difficult for the guilds and OPA to make a profit from the show. In 2023, our guild had a small deficit from the show, and in 2024, the deficit was up to around $2700 due to cost increases.
We have been informed last month that for 2025, the cost of the show will increase both in charges from the convention center (up 35%) and all the vendors (possibly up 30%) that help to put on the show. In order to begin to meet these increases, we would have to charge around $550 for a 10’x10’ booth, and we might not be able to have the group booth.
All the guilds are currently considering their participation in next year’s show. I must notify the LLC by July 15th if we are going to participate in 2025 so that we don’t have to contribute to the 2025 costs and not be able to get that money back. I need as much input from any and all members to determine if we should participate in 2025. Please consider attending the July 8th board meeting at 7 pm via Zoom and express your thoughts as to whether we should continue with this show. We need to have a vote on this and I would like to have as many members as possible participate in this decision to ensure that your opinion is represented. I hope to see you on the call, and if you can’t participate, but want to let me know your thoughts, please email me at Lesley Kelly. Thanks, Lesley