ALIA National Policy Congress

ALIA conferences

Trevor Wakely

ALIA holds the national biennial conference, with the years in-between referred to as 'non-conference years' when, in fact, the sections host their events.

For example, the ALIA 1998 Biennial was held in Adelaide, with 1999 seeing the public libraries section hosting an event in Perth; RAISS hosting an event in Sydney; cataloguers holding a conference in Brisbane; Online on Disc's event in Sydney; the library technicians holding their event in Perth; and the special health and law libraries combining to run a conference in Hobart.

The ranges of activates and willingness of members to volunteer their time to put on these events demonstrates a strong commitment, but there are a number of underlying factors that impact on the continued viability and success of these events. It is stressed that there is no desire to 'end' this enthusiasm and commitment to putting on events, but to rather channel and harness the energies involved into what may be more productive use.

Some points to be considered:

• ALIA relies heavily on conference income to meet its budget and program objectives. The exposure to potential losses is huge; income is not a 'certainty'. Should conferences be the main source of income?
• What is the purpose of the conferences? CPD? To make a profit? Networking? Promote research in our industry?
• ALIA conferences are very cheap compared with other associations' events. A typical ALIA conference registration is in the $650 range for a 3- to 4-day event. Commercial one-day events on 'information' are $700 or more. Why the reluctance of putting a 'true value/cost' on ALIA conference registrations?
• Trade support and sponsorship. It is well-known that the 'trade' subsidises the conferences, supporting events by buying exhibition space, sponsorship, and attending events. The exhibition being of as much importance to delegates as the conference program. With conference 'profits' being made due to trade support, it is not going to last, with the 'trade' looking at better, more cost-effective ways for them to market their goods and services.
• Members who volunteer their services to host events take on an enormous role in the organising of an event. The duplication of effort, the learning curve, the financial budgeting and the range of activities being performed by the goodwill of members for the betterment of the Association and the section's members and wider community is applauded - but is it fair (on those involved)? How else can we, as an Association, organize these CPD activities? Make money to have income for the Association's program?
• Why worry? Why not continue? Recent exposure to conference losses (some $30 000) had huge impact and implications whereby the national budget was effected, as ALIA, as an association, underwrites all ALIA events.
• How else could we operate? Provide CPD? Appease the trade (or at least make it more attractive for them to continue to support our events)
• Is there a solution? One 'umbrella' event, one trade exhibition, one major plenary, satellite events running as off-shoots, provide 'cross-sectorial' networking opportunities?

Recommendation

1. That the NPC consider the options for the most time- and cost-effective way of providing CPD activities for Association members.
   
   
2. That the NPC consider and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors as to the purpose of ALIA conferences.