Over the past twenty years, we figure that conservatively, well over 10,000 reunion planners have attended RFN events. We say this, not to brag, but in recognition that we have been able to bring something of lasting value to the veteran community. It has been our way of saying “Thank you for your service.”


At each of these events, we have made it a practice to hand out a brief evaluation sheet, and while the questions have been altered from time to time, our goal was simply to find out if we could change something to better serve your needs. We also ask exhibitors to complete a similar questionnaire, but of course questions are somewhat different.


The major thrust of doing this is to get feedback to improve. We are not fishing for compliments. Yet, the most common answer to the question (on both Planner & Exhibitor forms) “What suggestions do you have to make the ConFAM©


better?” has been “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”


Obviously, a great many folks are satisfied at the way we conduct these events, but nevertheless there are always a few who make thoughtful and meaningful suggestions. We are enormously grateful for these contributions, because it has resulted in many changes. The first ConFAM©


, actually just a FAM with


no conference, was in October 1991 hosted by the Northern Kentucky CVB. It was a small affair, with only a dozen planners, and it was short, lasting only one day.


The following


month we had the second event, a Conference in Orlando, hosted by the Sheraton World Resort, and that lasted only one day, also.


At the suggestion of several planners, we merged the events into a new type of event which we dubbed the


Page 6


Big Changes Coming to ConFAMs© ConFAM©


. In the beginning, there


was a one-day Conference, and a one- day FAM. At your request, this was gradually expanded to what we have today.


New & Changed


Times are changing, and with those changing times, we have to change also.


• Made certain that planners can have a table to write on during seminars


• Wrote a new book, RFN’s Military Reunion Handbook, now available on Amazon, or deeply discounted if purchase by veterans direct from RFN


• Established a Planner/Exhibitor Reception the evening prior to the Conference.


In some cases,


hosts have agreed to provide an additional room-night at no charge to the planner


• Changed the opening ceremony to allow every planner to be greeted by every exhibitor, thereby shortening the Opening Ceremony


• Changed the Planner program, and the PowerPoint presentations, so that the first day of conferences completes the seminar presentations and standing exhibits


• Changed the Planner program, so that the morning of the second day is devoted to the very popular Exhibitor / Planner Forum, followed by one-on-one, face-to- face meetings between Planners & exhibitors


Sparkling New


In 2010, a new type of event was introduced, called the WorkFAM©


.


This was a shorter event, starting with a reception and dinner on the first day, followed by a single day of


Here is what we have already done, and what will be implemented in 2012.


2012


sessions, strictly about Contracts, followed by a one-day FAM. In 2012, this will be modified to include 2 sessions on Negotiations.


Even More!


Despite all these efforts, we came to realize that the demographics were changing. Today many planners were still employed and found it difficult to attend. While we have not “sold” it yet, the ConFAM©


Weekender is in


the works, and will hopefully make it easier for those still working to attend. These events will follow the pattern of the WorkFAM©


dinner and reception for planners on Friday evening.


the new one-day, revised PowerPoint program will be presented.


, starting with a Then on Saturday Sunday,


the last day, will be devoted to a FAM of the area.


While hosts will have the option of allowing exhibits from out-of-town hotels and CVBs, we expect that some will try to keep these events local.


Attendees will have their rooms included for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.


There will be


opportunities to do site inspections for up to seven hotels.


The specifications are now complete, and it is hoped that we will be able to arrange one or more of these every year.


Most of the events already


scheduled, however, are for mid- week and that defeats the purpose of the Weekender. So while, we do not expect much for this concept in 2012, we surely hope to make strides in 2013.


Long or Short


No matter what the event, there are so many changes occurring in the industry that it pays for you, the planner, to attend an event every year.


R E U N I O N F R I E N D L Y N E W S • Winter, 2011-2012


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