The obvious answers are because everything is more expensive. There are some less obvious and more compelling answers. First, ABSAME needs to be on better financial footing to be able to make and meet its organizational goals. I think we are still the best national (international) organizational value and the least expensive. The regular dues for ABSAME have not risen in the past ten years.
The meeting fees are fairly straightforward. Anticipated expenses divided by a conservative estimate of attendees, based on recent attendance, with a slim buffer for error and you get our fees. Still much less than most meetings I see advertised. We want people to join our group. We want people at meetings and for meetings to be affordable. We also want the organization to have the funds to stay viable.
We have worked hard to find a balance. We continue to work to find quality alternatives for funding so that we can expand the educational and professional offerings of the organization.
Al Eaton, Ph.D.
Treasurer and Chair of the Financial Planning Committee