One ASNE member wrote in this year's member survey, "Once again, I suggest getting out of D.C. for three years and meeting in D.C. the fourth year. There is a certain sameness, predictability in the same meeting spot. Is this for the convenience of D.C. speakers? The ASNE staff? Look at your vastly declined attendance, how few small papers (under 75,000) attend and how ASNE continues to be East Coast, metro paper dominated."

The suggestion of revising the pattern of ASNE conventions, which is three conventions in the nation's capital followed by a convention in another location, is made with some frequency. On the other hand, about an equal number of members say, "Keep it in Washington."

Attendance numbers show how the members vote with their registration fees. With only one exception - the 1987 ASNE convention in San Francisco - when ASNE moves from Washington to another site, attendance always drops. It then bounces back when ASNE returns the next year to D.C. For example, 781 people attended the 1996 ASNE convention in Washington, compared to 644 in Dallas in 1995, and 884 in D.C. in 1994.

The cost of hotel rooms for a convention in Washington in April is high because that is the peak season for hotel business in the capital. ASNE negotiates hard to avoid increases in the room rates. The most recent poll of members on this question indicated that the dates and location of the convention are the preferred choice for most members.

Generally the program costs of a Washington convention are less than for an out-of-D.C. meeting, which helps the Society avoid price hikes.

Over the years, the ASNE board has reviewed the pattern of convention scheduling and has decided that the present pattern is the most satisfactory for most members.

The J.W. Marriott also is well rated by the members generally. There are only three hotels in Washington that have the ballroom space needed by ASNE. One is the Sheraton-Washington, which ASNE used in the mid-1980s and was the subject of criticism because it is such a large hotel (about three times the size of the Marriott). The other Washington choice for ASNE is the Grand Hyatt, located about a half dozen blocks from the Marriott. The Hyatt and the Marriott are owned by the same Washington developer and ASNE has never been offered an attractive convention deal at the Hyatt. The Marriott's location, near the National Press Building and the museums and sites around the National Mall, is superior.

Additional comments from members are welcome.

Stinnett is executive director of ASNE

Future ASNE conventions

April 8-11, 1997, J.W. Marriott Hotel, Washington, D.C.

March 31-April 3, 1998, J.W. Marriott Hotel, Washington, D.C.

April 13-16, 1999, Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco

April 11-14, 2000, J.W. Marriott Hotel, Washington, D.C.

April 3-6, 2001, J.W. Marriott Hotel, Washington D.C.

April 9-12, 2002, J.W. Marriott Hotel, Washington, D.C.

April 8-11, 2003, Fairmont Hotel, New Orleans.