Yep, it’s time for a change. I have been attending CPPA meetings on the fourth Wednesday of the month for almost 35 years. It was just the thing to do and the place to go on the fourth Wednesday. Laurel View Country Club is our current home, but over the years we had homes at the former Red Coach Grille in West Haven (I believe it is now an American Steak House), September’s in New Haven, 500 Blake Street in New Haven and for a very short time, Fantasia in North Haven. Prior to meeting at the Red Coach, the meeting location changed from month to month. We might meet at the Clam Box on the Silas Deane Highway in Rocky Hill one month and in Stratford the next month.

Our newest change to take place in September is to have two all-day seminars and four quarterly meetings. CPPA’s other intent is to move away from local talent (not that they are less than stellar) and to bring in regional and national talent for our programs. While we can learn from our own members, it is always good to get a broader perspective as to what someone from New York, Texas, Wisconsin or California is doing. The new format, along with the slightly elevated dues will allow CPPA to bring in a wider range of talent from outside Connecticut. Better talent obviously means higher costs. While we are hoping for vendor support for the speakers, it is not something we can rely on. To bring in name talent from out of the area means higher speaker’s fee, transportation fees and hotel costs.

The all-day seminars in September and May will feature nationally known talent, while the quarterly seminars will feature either national or upper tiered regional talent. The most difficult part of scheduling programs is the diversity of knowledge among our members. Many are new to the industry, and because they are just getting started, they will soak up as much information that can be provided. However, we also have a number of members who have been in the industry for 10, 20, 30 years or more and the basic programs do not interest them. It is the goal for the new programming to have a speaker who can address the needs of all of the members. We don’t want to leave the newcomers behind with too much advanced information, but we also do not want our senior members staying home because they think the seminar is “not for them”. The convention, as always, will have top-notch national and international talent.

Rising costs are always a concern. They are to CPPA and the Board is aware of the burden on the members. The meals at the meetings will be subsidized to make the program and meal more affordable, but if you want to come just for the program, you can do that AT NO CHARGE. Convention meals are also being addressed and more information will be announced as we get closer to February.

There was a time when CPPA meetings drew 100-125 members every month. It is the goal of the Board of Directors that the new format will return our attendance to at least those numbers. With your participation, CPPA will once again be a vibrant, active association, the leading photographer’s association in New England and the Northeast.

Changingly,

Harv