Pre-registration is my constant worry before JordanCon. It becomes something of an obsession for us. I check the database at least once a day, just to be sure. My husband and I discuss it over dinner. Brandon and Harriet asked me how it was going when they were here for the signing tour. Why is this so important?

Pre-registration is the best way you can support a convention. The sooner you register, the better, as far as convention organizers are concerned. There’s a few reasons for this:

A) It gets your money to us before the event. Our biggest bills (hotel, guest airfare) must be paid before the event occurs.

B) It gives us a more accurate headcount for planning purposes. We need to allocate space for the tracks, buy supplies for workshops, and create our security plan. It also helps us communicate clearly and honestly with the hotel regarding what they can expect from us that weekend. We REALLY don’t want to surprise them with an extra three hundred guests. They’ll get testy.

C) It gives us a better position when negotiating with Dealers and potential sponsors. There’s a big difference, sales wise, for conventions with a membership of 200 verses 2000. When I approach potential dealers and sponsors, the first question they always ask is “How many people are attending?” We’ve been turned down in the past by sponsors because our pre-reg numbers currently indicate a smaller convention than is feasible for them.

Not everyone pre-registers of course. Only about half to a third of you will pre-register. Many of you don’t have your travel plans finalized yet, or aren’t sure if you have the finances. But if you can pre-register, you should. There really is no better way to support a convention.