"Having the Gala outside the county always seemed a little strange. It is as if our own supposed boosters were publicly announcing that Roane County is not good enough for a Gala."

It really has absolutely nothing to do with Roane County being "not good enough." I'm right there with folks urging people to shop at home and shop in Roane. I want all possible business to be done in Roane County. I've shouted that message and beat that drum in this county since the 60s, 70s, and 80s. So I've been around it long enough to get a grasp on the realities involved. I've been a part of a business that suffered from people NOT shopping in Roane, and I've been part of arguing with people to get them to shop in Roane, to keep their business in Roane on a very up close and personal basis. I say all that to say that I hope nobody is gonns make the mistake of thinking I don't support keeping as much business as possible in Roane County.

The fact is all that activity in years past, and activity I have engaged in within the last few years have also given me a grasp on the reality that exists regardless of the things I'd ideally like to see. I've watched reality and idealism run into each other, and reality invariably comes out on top, although perhaps moved a bit in the right direction by idealism. I'm part of an organization right now that has to decide venues for conventions. We are pulled this way and that in deciding where to hold a statewide educational seminar and meeting. Organizations in one part of the state or the other will tell us they want us to come to their town next because of convenience; they're always having to go somewhere else. Others tell us we should have our meeting in their location because it's only fair - after all, it's been in X city 4 times in the last 6 years! Some of us look at the records we have of all recorded meetings over the years and look to see patterns of where the best attendance has been. After all - we're responsible to get the most out of our meeting expenditure bucks: we have to get the most people exposed to the educational material, the greatest number of people attending & participating, the greatest level of vendor participation, etc. And guess what? Fairness and convenience can't ultimately wind up being the deciding factors. Our responsibility to get our job done says we go with the reality. The reality of where we get the best results all the way around.

The same has to happen for the Roane Alliance Gala. The Gala is for two basic purposes: 1) getting people together for networking about progress for Roane County, and 2) getting people together who have the means and will put out their money to raise funds for the joint activities of the Roane Alliance.

And the reality is that sadly there is not a place inside Roane County that will fill that bill and give best bang per buck. Several locations inside and outside Roane County have been tried over the years, and it is held where they get the best results. And the fact is that they LONG for the day when there WILL be a place in Roane County to hold it! I challenge anyone to ask any participant if they would prefer to be able to hold the Roane Alliance Gala inside Roane County. I'll buy anybody that gets a negative answer the best dinner at an eatery of their choice inside Roane County. It ain't gonna happen.

For that to happen Roane County has to have a place that will have enough room - inside and outside - for entrance area, main dinner hall area, auction display area, etc. It will need to be able to provide food and drink of quality and types conducive to upscale people being willing to part with their money to raise funds. And it will need to be able to do that for the money that the Alliance can afford. In Roane County, RSCC has the room and possibly the logistical capabilities. But no beverage alcohol is allowed on the property. Whitestone might have the room (not sure about that) and certainly allows beverage alcohol. But affordable? Have you checked their pricing lately?

They WANT to have the Gala inside Roane County. But having a place to do it can't happen just because somebody decides they want it to be there. Much the same way community-wide high speed internet isn't going to happen in rural communities or small towns just because some government decides they want. They gotta pay for it and build it. Same goes for a venue for the Roane Alliance Gala.

RB

"scale down the Gala to match the rest of the county."

My own experience and reality checks have amply demonstrated to me that you don't generate the required revenues at a fund raiser by scaling down. Scaling down may be politically correct or appeasing. But it will not contribute to a financially successful fund raising event.

RB