mechurchlady
New member
I thought you was there for two things: party and WIN. :booty"
19th Annual National Sweepstakes Convention
- Thread starter missunder
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I really wish someone from the convention would respond to questions on other boards about how much money was spent on the prizes. We all spent $160 each to go to this convention --- that means the convention committee collected more than $160,000. How was that money spent? Obviously, it wasn't on prizes. I know conventions are expensive to run but it certainly didn't cost more than $100,000 for Thursday to Sunday. If the convention gave out $20,000 in prizes (a high estimate) then what happened to the remaining $40,000? Where did that money go?
I've been to other conventions that cost a lot less per person and they gave out tons and tons of prizes.And I never questioned how that money was spent. At the San Antonio convention they gave out five laptops (valued at about $800/each) a small TV (valued at $800) and $5,000 in cash. That comes to $9,800. Even if they gave out $10,000 more in other prizes, that still leaves $40,000 unaccounted for.
At other conventions, there were hot breakfasts, entertainment, etc. At San Antonio we had bagels, cakes and dried out "breakfast sandwiches." The coffee ran out mid-breakfast on the last day -- forcing people to buy their own coffee at a hotel Starbucks. No one from the convention ordered another pot of coffee. There was no entertainment. There was no food or soda at the mixer. Most of the prizes were donated and only about 100 people out of the more than 1,000 attendees got to participate in the games.
I never questioned how OUR money was spent at other conventions but Iwish someone from the San Antonio group would give us a breakdown on how OUR money was spent because there seems to be a lot of money missing.
I've been to other conventions that cost a lot less per person and they gave out tons and tons of prizes.And I never questioned how that money was spent. At the San Antonio convention they gave out five laptops (valued at about $800/each) a small TV (valued at $800) and $5,000 in cash. That comes to $9,800. Even if they gave out $10,000 more in other prizes, that still leaves $40,000 unaccounted for.
At other conventions, there were hot breakfasts, entertainment, etc. At San Antonio we had bagels, cakes and dried out "breakfast sandwiches." The coffee ran out mid-breakfast on the last day -- forcing people to buy their own coffee at a hotel Starbucks. No one from the convention ordered another pot of coffee. There was no entertainment. There was no food or soda at the mixer. Most of the prizes were donated and only about 100 people out of the more than 1,000 attendees got to participate in the games.
I never questioned how OUR money was spent at other conventions but Iwish someone from the San Antonio group would give us a breakdown on how OUR money was spent because there seems to be a lot of money missing.
lidarkside
Active member
You would probably have to find out who the convention planners were and contact them directly as they probably aren't members of this or some other boards.
The convention organizers are aware of the discussions asking for a breakdown in expenses yet they haven't responded. That speaks volumes. Why not tell us and put this controversy to rest? That would be the easy thing to do -- especially when it looks like there's a lot of money that is unaccounted for.
lidarkside
Active member
How were they made aware of this? Someone would have to have contacted them then and directed them to the forums discussing this.
Different hotels/cities put in bids to the convention committee. I would contact the hotel and ask them for the contact information of the convention planners and convention committee and contact them directly. That's really the best way to go.
Different hotels/cities put in bids to the convention committee. I would contact the hotel and ask them for the contact information of the convention planners and convention committee and contact them directly. That's really the best way to go.
champagne
New member
All I know is that one of my friends that attended the convention was a "newbie", this was her 1st and after it was over.... she made it clear that she will NEVER EVERRRRR go to another convention again... That's how disappointing and horrible it was .....
I'm shocked still actually....
I'm shocked still actually....
lidarkside
Active member
This is a member here under a different name, but I guess she had a good time.
http://www.contestqueen.com/fromthe/
http://www.contestqueen.com/fromthe/
champagne
New member
The Grand prizes she's talkin' about were stalkings with $100 in them? Grand Prize, (sighhhh) :scratch:
Looks like she had fun outside the convention like the rest of us who did their own thing....
The dice game u see was boring and only about another 30 people got called (mind you out of 1075)....and the prizes that you see on the give em' the boot... were cheap boots hand painted from kids if you ask me... with stamps, envelopes, pens, etc. stuft in them... some prize huh....
The deal or no deal game drug out as the top prize was $1000 (which no one got, and once again only 30 people were called up to play).
Looks like she had fun outside the convention like the rest of us who did their own thing....
The dice game u see was boring and only about another 30 people got called (mind you out of 1075)....and the prizes that you see on the give em' the boot... were cheap boots hand painted from kids if you ask me... with stamps, envelopes, pens, etc. stuft in them... some prize huh....
The deal or no deal game drug out as the top prize was $1000 (which no one got, and once again only 30 people were called up to play).
I'm sure the convention organizers checked the boards after the convention to see the reaction --- so they couldn't have missed all the comments expressing concern over the amount of money spent and the lack of prizes handed out. And if they didn't check the boards -- shame on them. They need to give everyone an accounting of how OUR money was spent. There is no possible way that the more than $165,000 collected from registration fees was spent on this convention. No way!
lidarkside
Active member
There are literally 100's of sweepstakes websites. It would be very time-consuming to check them all, and they would have to know first that there were complaints. They're not going to know this unless it is brought to their attention. If it hadn't been, there would be no reason for them to check forums. If anyone wants their questions and complaints addressed it would be best to contact those involved directly.
Hopefully, the New Hampshire one will have more activities and entertainment. In the New England area, towns and cities are far smaller than what some people are used to and spread apart even further. Outside activities/attractions would involve some driving time; i.e. Anheuser-Busch is 30 minutes away from Manchester. Although, at the end of the tour, you get to pick out two full-size beverages of your choice.
Hopefully, the New Hampshire one will have more activities and entertainment. In the New England area, towns and cities are far smaller than what some people are used to and spread apart even further. Outside activities/attractions would involve some driving time; i.e. Anheuser-Busch is 30 minutes away from Manchester. Although, at the end of the tour, you get to pick out two full-size beverages of your choice.
There have been complaints on Sweepsheet, Online-Sweepstakes.com and Sweepstakes Advantage -- three of the largest sweep sites. Surely the convention organizers checked one of those boards to see what people are saying. There is no doubt they are aware of these concerns. Yet they have chosen not to respond. The fact that they have failed to respond quickly -- at least to quell rumors - is very telling. Something is wrong here. As the convention organizers they have a responsibility to account for the way they spent our money -- especially since there are questions over how much was spent.
lidarkside
Active member
I'm sorry, but I don't agree. Even if they are aware and familiar with the boards, which many sweepers are not and very few members of these sites don't use the forums, they would have to have some prior knowledge of the complaints and where they were posted before they could even possibly address them. Plus, if any of these committee members and planners are members of ZZZ; those members there will more than likely not address any of these complaints at any other site. I don't know of any member here that was involved, but I'm sure if there were, they would address the complaints here. You may want to check other forums to see if any complaints were addressed there. Some of those involved may belong to other sweepstakes sites where they may be fielding these complaints.
completelyme
New member
Oh yeah! They are :laughing: And they're not exactly happy. Not that I care either way...
One of the female convention organizers posted about this on another big sweeps site. And for the record she's a member over there. There's no doubt the organizers know how disappointed people are with various situations.
champagne
New member
lidarkside
Active member
That's my point. You know darn well, they're not going to come here and post. They're very territorial and very competitive, and they stick to their own. Contacting the hotel and finding another committee member or convention planner (which is usually an outsourced company) that is not involved with any of these sites would be much better for anyone wanting their concerns addressed. I know with that other site, they're always checking the posts over here, but they're not going to help any members here.
completelyme
New member
Actually I was addressing your first point on how the convention organizers wouldn't know of the disgruntled attendees unless contacted directly.
But yes. The convention organizers from over there will most likely NOT address any concerns over here. That site is a major contributor to the convention and I do not forsee them caring enough to come over here, check the forums, and address any concerns SA members may have or had about the convention.
I don't know how much luck one would have with getting the hotel to give out the convention organizers' individual info, but it's a possibility I suppose.
It's probably pointless to even bother complaining and I say that after reading various posts with various assumed tones and inflections. It doesn't matter to whom one complains. I don't believe anyone cares. Most of the attitude coming from the convention organizers is if you don't like it, tough! or, "If you don't like the prizes or the way it was ran try doing it yourself next time"(which has little explanation or merit on prize complaints).
I feel bad for those of you who put forth the money to go and have what you believed was going to be an awesome time. A lot of these peeps complaining have been to prior conventions and had a blast. They have a right to feel "let down" or "cheated."
But yes. The convention organizers from over there will most likely NOT address any concerns over here. That site is a major contributor to the convention and I do not forsee them caring enough to come over here, check the forums, and address any concerns SA members may have or had about the convention.
I don't know how much luck one would have with getting the hotel to give out the convention organizers' individual info, but it's a possibility I suppose.
It's probably pointless to even bother complaining and I say that after reading various posts with various assumed tones and inflections. It doesn't matter to whom one complains. I don't believe anyone cares. Most of the attitude coming from the convention organizers is if you don't like it, tough! or, "If you don't like the prizes or the way it was ran try doing it yourself next time"(which has little explanation or merit on prize complaints).
I feel bad for those of you who put forth the money to go and have what you believed was going to be an awesome time. A lot of these peeps complaining have been to prior conventions and had a blast. They have a right to feel "let down" or "cheated."
lidarkside
Active member
I can't get into the threads; but, apparently, it seemed like "they" had a blast.
completelyme
New member
By the looks of the threads a handful(not literally) had fun. The majority did not.
furtadwolfson
New member
That is a bummer you guys didn't have fun. I went to San Antonio in April... for work. I stayed at the Hawthorne Inn which was about a 20 minute walk to downtown on the Riverwalk. It sounds expensive and I was contemplating on going but it was on labor day weekend. Also, I just got married on Aug 3rd and got back from Hawaii a week and a half ago. Too much travelling for me...
I started sweeping in Feb this year. I live in CA and missed the San Diego convention.... totally bummed because thats only 45 minutes from my house and I grew up in San Diego and would have been able to give you a lot of advise.
On the other hand, I may be going to the NH convention. One of my offices for work is near Lisbon, NH. Champagne.... I will be there!! I haven't been on here for a while... but I am still sweeping every now and then...
I started sweeping in Feb this year. I live in CA and missed the San Diego convention.... totally bummed because thats only 45 minutes from my house and I grew up in San Diego and would have been able to give you a lot of advise.
On the other hand, I may be going to the NH convention. One of my offices for work is near Lisbon, NH. Champagne.... I will be there!! I haven't been on here for a while... but I am still sweeping every now and then...
champagne
New member
Furtadooooooooooooo.... girl wth u been? I miss yo a@@... lol .... girl u didn't miss a thing ... count your blessing u missed this one... congrats on your wedding... pm me or post some pics of the wedding... i can't wait til mine... weeeeeeeeeeeeee ..... my dress arrived today... davids bridal just called (yeaaa)...... i want to know all the details of your wedding girl.... what have u won lately? last minor/thing with value was a wine refridge from the cheese instant.... hit me up when u can girl
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