by NikL 26 Replies latest jw friends
I can see an argument for it , and an excuse I.e. security.......BUT;
How do they fit everybody in ? 135k publishers plus hangers-on....( UK figure)
They know the dubs get a rush of enthusiasm from the Summer bash . There is nothing like a crowd to make you feel a part of something big. It would be the equivalent comparison to watching Manchester United at home on tv rather than being a part of the excitement at Old Trafford. ....
BB - they have reduced the number of days for CAs at the assembly halls and could easily increase occupancy for a two day convention.
I get the buzz thing but I suspect the finances will drive it forward in the end.
In its heyday, big conventions were not only big money makers for WT, conventions also raised the 'we are different/better than everyone else' hype. It plainly demonstrated member growth year to year and it as was only an annual event, it gave JWs something different from the usual routine to look forward to, as difficult as that may now be for most of us here to believe. They were also typically mentioned in newspapers and local TV news, but less so now.
In addition, it was a method for R&F witnesses to demonstrate loyalty by attending an event, sometimes a few hundred miles/kms away, for up to 8 consecutive days, from 9am to 9pm.
Now that growth is minimal, stalled or declining, the income received will be also declining and it will be increasingly more difficult to 'visibly' fill big venues.
As more JWs are waking-up to TTATT, it will also be more difficult to disguise JWs that were commonly recognized at every convention, are no longer in attendance. Disguising this is more easily accomplished in smaller venues, by simply reassigning which congregations are to meet together whereas with larger venues, it is generally the same districts and congregations year after year.
As Assembly and KHs are already owned by WT, there would be little additional expense incurred in using those facilities as RC venues. Although contributions maybe less, a higher percentage would be retained.
Since JWs are already expected to take time away from work to attend a 3 day event, I expect some RCs will not only be held from Friday to Sunday, but could also be held during weekdays such as Monday to Wednesday.
last of the big conventions ?
last big one i endured was also the last big convention before armageddon.
wembley london UK--about 1969 ?
I heard the same rumor a couple years ago,even posted about it. I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised though. The conventions have already been downsized,here anyway. And most people take one day a week,Friday,one week,Saturday the next,and so on.. So grateful,I stopped going to the conventions,first thing I dropped.
A football stadium (or the like) costs them about $70 - 90,000 to rent for a 3 day Dub show. They take in $400,000 in donations from the R&F. Now times that by more than two hundred dub shows in the USA alone.
Think you can do the math!
In Australia that is already happening.
Rather than the annual large stadium conventions, they are doing 6 or more weekends in a row at the assembly halls and splitting the congregations up to attend...
Conventions are the GBs casino, and there is no jackpot for the sheep. Conventions equal money for nothing, so the party continues, now children keep bringing the ice cream money , and you old sisters who can't afford electricity bills we will take your last pennies too.
Money facts are money facts. When they did not make money from the voluntary donations for food service, they pulled it so fast and told members to bring baloney sandwiches.
If big conventions are not making money, or more money can be made by figuring out how to utilize Assembly Halls and video feeds, they will definitely do this.
It sounds real and true. If not next year, sooner or later.
@stuckinarut2
I confirm, same thing in France, Regional Conventions are now split and take place in assembly halls.
