<html><body><div dir="auto">Just a quick update. Close to signing for the 2026 convention. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Costs are much higher than they've been, which we've discussed. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Plus, the food & beverage now has an automatic service charge of 26%. This was 21% for Skamania which i thought was high. (Sales tax is imposed on it as well as the actual cost of food). So, the actual cost of a meal - say, a $65 plated meal (not including wine & such) is 34% higher than that price. Will try to negotiate that % down. (I called John Holt in Idaho & the 26% is higher than his deal with Coeur d'Alene which he thought was high at the 21%...thanked me for the heads up for the future). </div><div dir="auto" id="ms-outlook-mobile-signature"><div><br></div><div dir="auto">I think we did well this time at Skamania but will be tougher this time around. Will probably need to raise the registration fee to something like $395, avoiding the $400 line. John agrees that at some point we might need to cross that $400 line.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">But if we get anywhere near the sponsor money we got this year (keep our fingers crossed for the economy) we should have enough to cover costs.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Second matter; they are upgrading the rooms, which is good, the could use it. They start fall of 2025 and finish May 2026. There is a chance that will spill over into our time. If work is still going on it may impact us. Probably not much since presumably most available rooms will be done. But worth keeping that in mind.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Will let you know when it's signed. Meanwhile, let me know if you have any comments or questions. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Thanks!</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">George</div><div dir="auto">Sent from my mobile phone 206-437-5869</div></div></body></html>